Please read this abridged edition of Plutarch's Life of Antony. Pick out a line that seems to you a particularly good example of action, drama, romance, or "game show" in the story of the 2nd triumvirate.Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Second Triumvirate
Please read this abridged edition of Plutarch's Life of Antony. Pick out a line that seems to you a particularly good example of action, drama, romance, or "game show" in the story of the 2nd triumvirate.
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“After his defeat, Antony determined to make his way to the other side of the Alps, to join his army with that of Lepidus, whom he had befriended on several occasions. But when he came in sight of the camp he received no encouragement to approach nearer. However, feeling that he had little to lose, and possibly much to gain, he disguised himself in a large dark cloak, made his way into the trenches, and began to address the army of Lepidus. His speech had such an effect that Lepidus took alarm, and ordered the trumpets to be sounded, so that he could not be heard. But that night two of the soldiers, disguised in women's clothes, were sent by their comrades to confer with Antony. They advised him to make an attack on Lepidus, whom they offered to put to death. Antony would not listen to such a proposition, but the next morning he marched his men up to the river which divided the two camps, and was himself the first to plunge into the water and swim across. He was received by the soldiers, who not only held out their hands to help him ashore, but beat down the works to make way for his soldiers. So he entered the camp of Lepidus as absolute master. He did not take an unfair advantage of his position, though, for he treated Lepidus with the greatest kindness, called him Father when he addressed him, and left him the honor of being general.”
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good description of drama. Even though Antony had people who were willing to kill Lepidus, yet he told them no. He would rather take over peacefully and win over the respect naturally than through violence! And even after he took over he still treated Lepidus with respect and still left him with an honorable position in the army.
"Octavius Cæsar, as we have said, was anxious to make a friend of Antony, because he knew that it would be a benefit to himself, so as soon as he heard how Antony had increased his forces by his alliance with Lepidus, he sent messengers to propose a conference. It was agreed upon, and the three leaders, Lepidus, Octavio Cæsar, and Antony, met on a small island. The conference lasted three days. It was decided that the three should divide the empire among them, and under the name of triumvirs they should have supreme authority for five years." This is a good example of the "game show" It is how they got what they wanted to work toward their advantage, they made allies and friends with those who would advance their career.
ReplyDeleteThe line I pick is "Antony lived quietly for a couple of years, then went back to Asia, where he engaged in a long and difficult war with the Parthians. Never was a more splendid army gathered together than the one he led; but he made many mistakes, and was at last badly defeated."
ReplyDeleteI choose this line of action because it show the type of character Antony is. He was just a man who was a the right place at the right time. But he did not know how to handle being a great general for Rome.This action comes later in his life as Octavius drives hime out of the Roman empire to Egypt where his army men give in to Octavius.
“But Antony was too fond of drinking and carousing, which gave great offence to the better class of Roman citizens; so when Cæsar came back from Spain, although he was very gentle with Antony and did much towards reforming him, he took Lepidus not Antony, to be consul with him. Antony's morals improved when he married, for Fulvia, his wife, had a good influence over him.” This line is a good example of the ‘game of show’. Its shows that although Caesar was fond of Antony he felt that Lepidus would be a better choice for consul. This is because having him rather than Antony would benefit his career. It are these alliances that allowed Caesar to succeed.
ReplyDelete"Octavius Cæsar, as we have said, was anxious to make a friend of Antony, because he knew that it would be a benefit to himself, so as soon as he heard how Antony had increased his forces by his alliance with Lepidus, he sent messengers to propose a conference."
ReplyDeleteI'd comapare this not really a game show but more of a reality game show, like survivor. Octavious found out that Anothy had power so he quickly became an ally with him. This seems to happen a lot on shows like survivor because everyone wants to stay in the game as long as they can. Also people are always bargaining to improve their position in the game.
"A report was carried to Antony that Octavius was plotting against his life, whereupon he went about and made offers to the old soldiers to take sides with him. Octavius did the same. Cicero was at that time a man of the greatest influence in Rome, and he did what he could to arouse the people against Antony." I chose this line because it seems like a lot of drama, the kind of drama that goes on in high school. He said this so you should be against him and join me kind of stuff. Maybe both sides over reacted and caused Antony to loose his role in Rome.
ReplyDeleteRuth Wilson
ReplyDelete"That utterly ruined Antony's cause, for, like a weak, unprincipled general, he followed the Egyptian queen,"
This sounds like a soap opera to me. It makes me laugh! The rest of the story sounds a lot like the writer didn't care for Antony at all. What if Antony was just a lover? What if he just loved life and Cleopatra so much he didn't have time to fight wars and take care of his empire? Its sweet to think of. I dont think its right, but its a nice thought anyway.
A report was carried to Antony that Octavius was plotting against his life, whereupon he went about and made offers to the old soldiers to take sides with him. Octavius did the same. Cicero was at that time a man of the greatest influence in Rome, and he did what he could to arouse the people against Antony. Finally he persuaded the senate to pronounce Antony a public enemy, and to order the two consuls, Hirtius and Pansa, to drive him out of Italy. A battle took place near Modena, in which the consuls were killed. But Antony was defeated and obliged to fly. It was then that he showed how great he was, for he bore all sorts of suffering and privation like a true hero, and set a wonderful example of patience and endurance to his soldiers.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this quote is a great example of both drama and action as it talks both about the plotting and battles.
"Antony, on the other hand, accused Cæsar of certain acts of injustice, and of taking upon himself too much power. Cæsar's answer was that he had put Lepidus out of the government because his conduct had been bad; that he would divide what he had got in war with Antony as soon as Antony gave him a share of Armenia, and that Antony's soldiers had no claims in Italy."
ReplyDeleteThe drama first this all started by Antony was not treating Caesar sister Octavia right, so decided to take Lepidus out of the government and because of this it caused Antony to accuse Caesar of too much power, but yet Antony still divided the land from the war with Antony but not until Antony gave Caesar a share of Armenia. Then after that Caesar would say Antony's soldiers will have no claims in Italy; which caused drama between two powerful people.
Mark Antony wanted power and knew how to get he just bit off more than he could possibly chew by going toe to toe with Octavius. He had the ambition to do it but he simply ran in to a buzzsaw of a man who just had more backing and if you dont have any help when it comes to political conflict its hard to win.
ReplyDelete"But that night two of the soldiers, disguised in women's clothes, were sent by their comrades to confer with Antony. They advised him to make an attack on Lepidus, whom they offered to put to death. Antony would not listen to such a proposition, but the next morning he marched his men up to the river which divided the two camps, and was himself the first to plunge into the water and swim across. He was received by the soldiers, who not only held out their hands to help him ashore, but beat down the works to make way for his soldiers. So he entered the camp of Lepidus as absolute master."
ReplyDeletePardon the large excerpt, but I thought that these lines show drama and action particularly well. The power struggles and political maneuvers that occurred after Caesar's death seem to have been filled with drama and action, and also seem to bear an eery resemblance to today's soap operas as Ruth pointed out.
Cleopatra had joined Antony, and he was so much in love with her that he wanted to marry her. He therefore neglected Octavia, in consequence of which Cæsar brought serious charges against him in the senate, for it displeased the conqueror exceedingly to have so virtuous and noble a lady as his sister badly treated.
ReplyDeleteThis is packed to the max with Drama. You have Caesar's co-dictator madly in love with his his "girlfriend." Bad things could easily erupt out of this.
"He expressed his horror at the murder, showed the bloody stains on the dead man's clothing, and called those that had committed the deed villains and assassins."
ReplyDeleteThis, after securing Brutus and Cassius foreign appointments. I think it shows Antony's willingness to play the game to the best of his ability. He got a couple of possible contenders out of the way in a manner which would make them beholden to him, then publicly denounced them to show his loyalty to Caesar and improve his own image.
"But before the three triumvirs separated a question arose which perplexed them. It was whom to destroy, each desiring to save his friends and get rid of his enemies. It ended by condemning friends and relatives with horrible, cold-blooded indifference. Cicero's head was offered to Antony in exchange for [442] that of his uncle and the brother of Lepidus. Never was a more barbarous compact made, for these men consented to the death of their friends without even the excuse of hatred. Besides the three mentioned, hundreds of others were killed before the triumvirate was fairly established."
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good example of how the game was played. The three men were so power hungry that they agreed to kill close friends and relatives in order to gain the power. Antony's uncle, who was also Lepidus' brother was sacrificed in return for Octavian killing Cicero, who had helped him gain support as he was battling Antony earlier. On top of this they also killed hundreds of others. This just shows what the people of the game were willing to do to increase their power.
John Rawerts
"Octavius Cæsar, as we have said, was anxious to make a friend of Antony, because he knew that it would be a benefit to himself, so as soon as he heard how Antony had increased his forces by his alliance with Lepidus, he sent messengers to propose a conference."
ReplyDeleteThis kind of brings to mind the making of alliances people make in reality shows like Big Brother, etc.
"This, Eros, is well done," said Antony;"you show your master how to do what you had not the heart to do yourself." He then plunged the sword into his bowels, and threw himself on on couch near by to die.
ReplyDeleteFor drama, it does not get more over the top than that. Though this line may say more about the character of Antony then others do. Plutarch implies that Antony was not really suited to play the "game". He just went with the flow. It also appears that Antony lacked one of the unspoken qualities of virtus. This would be the Roman characteristic of a never give up attitude. As was displayed in the story of Aeneas as well as the invasion of the Gauls and the second Punic War.
"Antony was exceedingly popular with the soldiers, but he was too lazy to pay attention to the wants of the people, and so committed many serious errors. But Cæsar would never listen to any charges against him, nor had he ever cause to complain of his lack of courage, skill, or energy in military affairs."
ReplyDeleteI thought that these lines were a good example of drama. Maybe not necessarily actual drama, but a situation that could bring drama later down the line. Although Antony thought of himself very highly when he was tribune he focused more on the military. As tribune you need to focus on what the people want, and what is good for them, but if you are only good with the military that will bring drama later down the line because people will not be happy. Then to add on top of that, the people did begin to complain to Caesar, but Caesar ignored it. Once you start ignoring the people you open up a door that should not be opened. There is a lack of justice, and if you let one person slip by, you will later have to let others.
"It was whom to destroy, each desiring to save his friends and get rid of his enemies."
ReplyDeleteThis line makes it appear as a game show, a little sick, but a game show none the less. The men here are deciding on the ultimate prize and along with that a few good side deals, kind of like the Price is Right. It is a common story in the history of Rome. The men are abandoning their friends and family for fortune and fame. No cost appears to high for them. These men are playing a game with their lives and the lives of everyone around them, and none of them at this particular time, know how it will turn out.
I guess when I was trying to picture this guy Plutarch was writting about it seemed like an action flick to me.
ReplyDeleteThe guy is a great military man, and is popular among the military, so much so that he ignores non military personal. And after a while when he is on top, then we get battles.
Although there is a bit of romance, which should be in most good action stories. When his wife cures him of his alcohol. A little romance helps the action move along
Jon Hepola
"Antony was in his fifty-sixth year when he killed himself. He can scarcely be ranked among the great men of ancient times, for [445] he had neither genius nor moral strength, and he was too much a slave to pleasure to be considered a good man, yet few possessed more devoted friends or warmer partisans. He lost his empire by his own fault, for he deserted those who were fighting for him, and his death is an example of unpardonable weakness"
ReplyDeleteI think this paragraph show the ultimate game show drama, the man who had everything that anyone could have wanted and yet he threw it all away. Ultimatly Mark Antony palyed the game and lost