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Augustus

On September 2nd, 31 BCE, after a year of preparation, Cleopatra’s forces were defeated by Octavian (aka Augustus) at Actium. One of the most decisive battles in history. After some more battles, and failed negotiations, Cleopatra surrendered, causing Anthony (her lover) to commit suicide—ending a war that initiated in 32 BCE when Octavian declared war against Egypt after reading Anthony's will to the senate. In this will, Anthony declared his children by Cleopatra to be his sole heirs, and demanded to be buried beside the Queen in Alexandria. This was heresy to the Senate's ears, and a perfect excuse for Octavian to get rid of his rival for Caesar’s throne. Cleopatra also committed suicide on August 10th, 30 BCE

Source: Durant, Will, The Story of Civilization, Vol. 3: Caesar and Christ Simon and Schuster, 1944.

Augustus of Prima Porta
Augustus of Prima Porta
Image by Joel Bellviure under CC BY-SA 4.0

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Full disclosure, I may occasionally borrow a sentence from Will Durant's Story of Civilization. I absolutely love that collection!