The Face of Mark Antony (Photoshop Reconstruction)

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Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) 83BC-30BC
The prominent Roman politician and military general Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius) is best known for his tragic relationship with Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. Born from an upper class family, Marcus received an education specific to his future duties as an orator and strategist. His basic nature, however, was more fun-loving and casual than propriety usually allowed, and his reputation was mixed.

Strangely, he served alongside Julius Caesar as part of his early military experience before being elected as a "tribune" or a person who represented the interests of the people, rather than the Senate, who was comprised largely of upper class members who, of course, were primarily interested in themselves. The Senate, in fact, was seeking to bring Caesar to trial for what they perceived was his "misuse of power", while granting its officers vigilante-like powers to preserve the state using any means necessary. So basically the Senate was accusing Caesar of abusing his power just as much as they abused THEIRS. Realizing that he could be "silenced" in the interests of the Senate, Mark Antony ran to Caesar for protection, which allowed Caesar to appoint himself defender of the people's representatives against the Senate. The words of war had been spoken, and from then on it was a power struggle between Caesar and the Senate, with Marc Antony working his way up the ranks until he was Caesar's second in command.

Shortly before Caesar's assassination, Marc Antony had been designated by Caesar as consul, a chief legitimate officer of the Roman state. This title secured his safety and spared him from being killed in association with Caesar when the murder was taking place. Just as it seemed that Marc Antony stood a good chance of taking Caesar's place in leadership, a young, future nemesis named Octavian suddenly appeared and claimed to be the adopted son of Caesar and the next legitimate heir to his position of power. After a tug-o-war to jockey for the most support from the people, Octavian and Antony briefly joined forces to defeat the common enemy; which at that time were the criminals who plotted to have Caesar killed. Once the guilty were defeated, Octavian and Antony split ways to deal with various political matters.

Antony needed Egyptian support (financially and politically) to wage war against Parthia (in Iran) and consulted with Queen Cleopatra to discuss terms. Almost immediately, a romance sparked. The fact that Antony was married to Octavian's SISTER, Octavia, while conducting this affair was risky and dangerous to say the least, as the poorly kept secret fueled Octavian's mission to turn Antony's supporters against him in Rome. Antony's scandalous deeds were made public information, even the contents of his will in which Cleopatra was included. Even Antony's friends were unsure of whether or not to support him, as it would also mean supporting Cleopatra, which they were less inclined to do.

Octavian and Antony's armies clashed in battle at ACTIUM, Greece, Sept 2, 31B.C. Antony's army was defeated, and he retreated back to Egypt and Cleopatra. When he learned that Octavian had followed him to Egypt, he committed suicide and died in Cleopatra's arms. Cleopatra killed herself soon after. Octavian stepped forward and became the first emperor of Rome, under the new name AUGUSTUS.

**No confirmed portrait or sculpture of Mark Antony has ever been found. The statues that currently carry Marc Antony's name are simply educated guesses by scholars.

*Various historical descriptions suggest Antony had a bold and masculine look with a well grown beard, large forehead, aquiline or "eagle-like" nose, cropped medium-light brown hair, hazel eyes (nobody officially knows his coloring), determined stare, thickset neck and square-jawed, fleshy face with a slight double chin. He reminded many of Hercules in appearance, as his physique was quite spectacular.

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