The passage goes on to say that ‘they so melted and unmanned him’ (Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment Booklet, 2012, p.18) which suggests Antony may have been harder in the beginning but was eventually worn down by Cleopatra and her ‘flatterers’ (Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment Booklet, 2012, p.18).
Antony seemed to be so concerned for Cleopatra’s welfare that he neglected his duty and the orders given to him by Octavian in order to be with Cleopatra. Plutarch writes ‘he returned to Alexandria and put off his Median expedition […]’ (Plutarch, in AA100 Assignment Booklet, 2012, p.18).
The underlying feeling of this passage is that Plutarch seems to want to protect Antony and make excuses for him, feeling the need to explain why Antony had rebelled against Rome.
In other written material similar accounts of the relationship have been made. It is important to note that most of the information available is from the point of view of the Romans as the Egyptians left very little information on the events of that time.
Cassius Dio, another well-known Roman historian, also portrayed that Cleopatra had heavily influenced and controlled Antony, writing about a speech given by Octavian to his army before the battle of Actium he wrote that Antony was ‘enslaved by her’ (Scott-Kilvert, 1987 pp. 52,53,54 and 55). He also wrote ‘he is so bewitched by that accursed woman’ (Scott-Kilvert, 1987 pp. 52,53,54 and 55), claiming Antony was under Cleopatra’s spell and seemingly almost trying to excuse his actions by saying he didn’t know what he was doing.
Antony is presented in a negative manner throughout most of the speech by Octavian, according to Cassius Dio, with comments such as ‘Who would not weep when he sees and hears what Antony has become?’ and ‘when it comes to weapons and fighting what has anyone to fear from him?’ (Scott-Kilvert, 1987 pp. 52,53,54 and 55).
From the account given by Cassius Dio, Octavian painted a very good picture to his army of how Antony was no longer the man he once was and that he had chosen to go against Rome saying ‘he plunges into war’ […] ‘against his country’ […](Scott-Kilvert, 1987 pp. 52,53,54 and 55).
From studying the passages by both Plutarch and Cassius Dio, they seem to imply that Cleopatra was an extremely bad influence on Antony, manipulating and controlling him for her own purpose and desire.
by
jennykins1 (student)
