Antony's Invasion of Parthia (42 to 33 B.C.E.)

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  • Опубликовано: 23 апр 2021
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    Sources:
    Suetonius, "The Life of Augustus" | amzn.to/3g0AKby
    Appian, "The Civil Wars: Book 3" | amzn.to/2PKEBPr
    Appian, "The Civil Wars: Book 4" | amzn.to/2PKEBPr
    Plutarch, "The Life of Antony" | amzn.to/3s9lE6b
    Plutarch, "The Life of Brutus" | amzn.to/3s9lE6b
    Cassius Dio, "Roman History: Book 46" | amzn.to/3g68LXZ
    Cassius Dio, "Roman History: Book 47" | amzn.to/3g68LXZ
    Cassius Dio, "Roman History: Book 48" | amzn.to/3g68LXZ
    Cassius Dio, "Roman History: Book 49" | amzn.to/3g68LXZ
    Josephus, "The Jewish War, Book 1" | amzn.to/322hceI
    Strabo, "Geography, Book 11, Chapter 13" | amzn.to/3uLNven
    ---
    Rolf Strootman, "Queen of Kings: Kleopatra VII and the Donations of Alexandria," from "Kingdoms and Principalities in the Roman Near East" | bit.ly/3dQQN9f
    Adrian Goldsworthy, "Antony and Cleopatra" | amzn.to/2Qi9sCx
    Stacy Schiff, "Cleopatra: A Life" | amzn.to/325LPju
    Joyce Tyldesley, "Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt" | amzn.to/3mBnawy
    Adrian Goldsworthy, "Augustus: First Emperor of Rome" | amzn.to/3dSmjnp
    Anthony Everitt, "Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor" | amzn.to/3wJKWLv
    Music:
    "Direct to Video," by Chris Zabriskie
    "The Witching Hour," by Ben McElroy
    "Infados," by Kevin MacLeod
    "Thomas Neutrality," by Enrique Molano
    "Inhale Exhale," by Braden Deal
    "Hallon," by Christian Bjoerklund
    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Комментарии • 3,5 тыс.

  • @alfonsoarroyo3283
    @alfonsoarroyo3283 3 года назад +8950

    "I'm not saying there was foul play... I'm just saying Anthony definitively murdered his wife."

    • @dantedeleon993
      @dantedeleon993 3 года назад +97

      I busted out laughing!! 🤣🤣🤣

    • @Ligierthegreensun
      @Ligierthegreensun 3 года назад +142

      HE BELONGS IN JAIL lmao

    • @alsatusmd1A13
      @alsatusmd1A13 3 года назад +46

      …if by “murder” you mean “allow her to kill herself”.

    • @MikaelKKarlsson
      @MikaelKKarlsson 3 года назад +26

      So just politics then. 😉

    • @timothymclean
      @timothymclean 3 года назад +150

      All the other Romans just divorced their political wives as soon as a better alliance came up, but Antony didn't want to deal with the paperwork I guess.

  • @theholyinquisition389
    @theholyinquisition389 3 года назад +6116

    Man, Ventidius just casually pulled off a Caesar and then just vanishes from the records. What a boss.

    • @mrdelaney4440
      @mrdelaney4440 3 года назад +384

      He should have got his triumph, the guy earned it.

    • @freestylevimto3109
      @freestylevimto3109 3 года назад +837

      @@mrdelaney4440 He did get it

    • @samgrez7140
      @samgrez7140 3 года назад +278

      I figure mark anthony had him killed because he took his glory.

    • @napolien1310
      @napolien1310 3 года назад +202

      @@samgrez7140 no way the Romans don't do that, andthat will outrage the soldiers.

    • @AlexKwiatek
      @AlexKwiatek 3 года назад +406

      He has pretty good track record. He also saved Antony at the end of Mutina campaign. He re-raised three legions from Ceasar's veterans* and merged with him while he was retreating from Octavius and Decimus
      *two of which were already re-raised by Octavius, so VIIth and VIIIth veterans were kinda fighting on both sides at this point

  • @LoudRevised
    @LoudRevised 3 года назад +3885

    *The Son of Labienus led the Parthian Army*
    Wait hold up, you can’t just drop that lore outta no where.

    • @AlexKwiatek
      @AlexKwiatek 3 года назад +806

      In Philippi episode he foreshadowed that and told us that Labienus jr. was sent east to negotiate Parthian support for Liberators ;) i wish we knew more about it, but as HC said, sources are pretty poor for this war

    • @UrosDrljaca
      @UrosDrljaca 3 года назад +182

      Oh my God. Go Labienus Jr

    • @Madhattersinjeans
      @Madhattersinjeans 3 года назад +348

      Yeah what the hell. A roman suddenly commanding foreign forces against rome?

    • @LostShipMate
      @LostShipMate 3 года назад +55

      God I wish there was more information on this.

    • @atuema1602
      @atuema1602 3 года назад +147

      He had made an alliance with the Parthians in order to revive the Pompeian cause. He was originally there either because he had fled to Parthia or because he was sent there by Brutus and Cassius to obtain reinforcements for Philippi.

  • @LoudRevised
    @LoudRevised 3 года назад +4033

    Ventidius:
    > Barges in
    > Beats the Parthian Army with two legions
    > Refuses to elaborate any further
    > Leaves

    • @bpouelas
      @bpouelas 2 года назад +526

      Tribune Aquila:
      > Barges in
      > Denies the legitimacy of Caesarian edicts
      > Refuses to elaborate
      > Leaves

    • @omnomnomnomm
      @omnomnomnomm 2 года назад +189

      the S in Ventidius stands for sigma

    • @kajolet
      @kajolet 2 года назад +222

      Lepidus:
      > Barges in
      > Beats Sextus and take Sicily
      > Refuses to elaborate
      > Leaves

    • @Julianna.Domina
      @Julianna.Domina 2 года назад +202

      @@kajolet Ceaser:
      >Rises to speak
      >gets stabbed
      >dies
      >refuse to elaborate any further

    • @flaviusbelisariusthebasedl3116
      @flaviusbelisariusthebasedl3116 2 года назад +21

      @@omnomnomnomm didn’t you mean sugma?

  • @tribunepontiusaquila1152
    @tribunepontiusaquila1152 3 года назад +3484

    Who gave him permission to invade parthia? I sure as hell didn't

  • @yevgeniygorbachev5152
    @yevgeniygorbachev5152 3 года назад +2501

    I would like to congratulate Antony on becoming pregnant once more.

    • @bpouelas
      @bpouelas 3 года назад +103

      Big congrats to the guy. Pretty sure that really happened.

    • @naomiskilling1093
      @naomiskilling1093 3 года назад +116

      So do we send the baby shower gifts to Rome or to Alexandria?

    • @Julianna.Domina
      @Julianna.Domina 3 года назад +37

      @@naomiskilling1093 Yes.

    • @ericsilver9401
      @ericsilver9401 3 года назад +10

      @@naomiskilling1093 No

    • @patricianoftheplebs6015
      @patricianoftheplebs6015 3 года назад +27

      @@naomiskilling1093 send them to Parthia just like Crassus ;)

  • @TheOccupants
    @TheOccupants 3 года назад +895

    "I'm not saying that he murdered his wife, but he did do that, and should be in jail."
    *eats popcorn faster*

    • @jesseberg3271
      @jesseberg3271 3 года назад +11

      Ya, except that we just covered the fact that the Romans were super casual about divorce in the last episode.

    • @TheOccupants
      @TheOccupants 3 года назад +15

      **popcorn eating continues**

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 3 года назад +1

      Did the Romans have jails? More specifically I mean, did they use jail time as a punishment for crimes (as opposed to temporarily holding captives)?

    • @TheOccupants
      @TheOccupants 3 года назад +3

      I think it was banishment primarily. Cicero used a temporary jail for traitors during the Catlinarian Conspiracy but they were executed.

    • @TheOccupants
      @TheOccupants 3 года назад +1

      It ain't the grieving I'm worried 'bout *gets more popcorn*

  • @ethanalspencer7294
    @ethanalspencer7294 3 года назад +2384

    Ventidius reportedly didn't pursue the Parthians further because he was concerned that he'd incur Antony's jealousy if he did so. I like to imagine Ventidius was the ultimate straight-man in all this dramatic high Roman politics, he saw how nuts all these major players were and dipped to the countryside rather than get dragged in to it all.

    • @pokeman5000
      @pokeman5000 3 года назад +427

      Yep, never outshine the master... Unless you can successfully kill the master and take his place. The dude took his W, cashed in his chips, and retired to his land/family/slaves/money. Arguably the smartest guy in Rome considering the climate of the empire at the time.
      Or they low-key killed him to avoid a competent general falling to the other side. I'd argue the latter.

    • @lorefox201
      @lorefox201 3 года назад +147

      "yikes, I think I'll just get back to my family's farms..."
      Ventidius, 1st century BC

    • @misterpayah7723
      @misterpayah7723 3 года назад +204

      Brilliant man. Got his triumph, got recorded positively in the history books, and died peacefully. Definitely inspired by Caesar.

    • @jiffylou98
      @jiffylou98 2 года назад +50

      Even more Labienus than Labienus’ own son

    • @BudMasta
      @BudMasta 2 года назад +30

      A win is a win, peace out yo - Ventidius, probably

  • @alanfox8928
    @alanfox8928 2 года назад +517

    “Anthony and Cleopatra spent the next four days locked in aggressive negotiations”
    I’d say they did alright

  • @zheng7636
    @zheng7636 3 года назад +2872

    Antony said his wife aggravated her own illness, and we know Antony is an honorable man.

    • @Number1Irishlad
      @Number1Irishlad 3 года назад +197

      this is emphasized by his outstanding performance as a Consel of Rome in Caesar's stead while he was off in Egypt

    • @waluigisbean3148
      @waluigisbean3148 3 года назад +172

      Just like we knew Brutus was an honourable man

    • @aristophanesghost3839
      @aristophanesghost3839 3 года назад +100

      All honourable men.

    • @zheng7636
      @zheng7636 3 года назад +133

      @@noctepraeceptor6548 It's a line from Shakespeare's play on Caesar, bro. After Caesar's death, Antony used this line in his speech to indirectly call out his murderers for justifying themselves. It's a pretty powerful moment.

    • @adrianbundy3249
      @adrianbundy3249 3 года назад +45

      @@noctepraeceptor6548 r/woosh

  • @CreepsMcPasta
    @CreepsMcPasta 3 года назад +5877

    I swear Antony's story is just everyone around him succeeding at what he wanted to do

    • @secretscipio
      @secretscipio 3 года назад +88

      My two favourite RUclipsrs at one place.

    • @dimesonhiseyes9134
      @dimesonhiseyes9134 3 года назад +206

      "everyone around him succeeding at what he wanted to do"
      Up until the point where Antony was able to finally snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

    • @ArcAngle1117
      @ArcAngle1117 3 года назад +171

      @@DerbyPorcelain He might have gotten Crassused if he had just marched into the open plains of Mesopotamia. Antony's plan for his Invasion of Partia was pretty good except for his long supply lines(and his inability to protect them)

    • @jamiengo2343
      @jamiengo2343 3 года назад +96

      @@DerbyPorcelain though to be fair, whether Ventidius could’ve conducted a campaign into Parthia with his relatively few legions is unlikely. Staying in Syria was probably the best option

    • @Arigator2
      @Arigator2 3 года назад +64

      I feel kind of bad for Antony. He's in way over his head. Everybody knew he was an idiot except himself.

  • @Kanner111
    @Kanner111 3 года назад +512

    Arguably, getting out of Parthia with only 50% of your army starving to death in the cold represents real progress compared to the previous campaign!
    Never give up on your dreams!

    • @alanpennie8013
      @alanpennie8013 2 года назад +57

      Maybe next time we'll only lose 25%.

    • @michaeldunn5337
      @michaeldunn5337 2 года назад +48

      @@alanpennie8013 by the 4th time after definitely losing the 3rd time, who knows whats possible, actually winning? Crazy stuff

    • @Atomhaz
      @Atomhaz Год назад +45

      Around 2000 years later and we still get to dunk on Antony. Cicero would be proud.

    • @wiritpollapcharoenporn3168
      @wiritpollapcharoenporn3168 4 месяца назад +1

      You mean the Crassius blunder... that one is brutal

  • @ytjjdydtyuttuyeejj7e
    @ytjjdydtyuttuyeejj7e 3 года назад +257

    I'm disappointed it wasn't mentioned in the video, because Ventidius is one of my favorite lesser known Romans. But he started his life being a captative in another Roman's triumph. He then worked his way up through the Roman army, and after his victories, was awarded a triumph for himself. The feeling of elation he must have felt would've been massive as well as an example of the social mobility of competent men in Rome.

    • @longhairdontcare122
      @longhairdontcare122 8 месяцев назад

      The failure of a system to make upward mobility easier than before cost votes an power. The system making upward mobility unlikely or impossible means a war against said system which win or lose ends in its death. Gusse were the western world is atm?

    • @Pillowcase
      @Pillowcase 4 месяца назад +2

      That's incredible

    • @geordiejones5618
      @geordiejones5618 Месяц назад +1

      A lot of the generals of the time have cool stories. Taurus fights in Sicily, North Africa, Dalmatia, Greece, Egypt and Spain, all with distinction. Agrippa is a known legend. Crassus's grandson redeems his family name by conquering north of Macedonia, up to the Danube, and was denied the crazy rare Spoila Opima. Drusus and Tiberius are very important in conquering the Alps and up to the Rhine, (the conquests of Drusus conquering up to the Elbe are reversed by Arminius).

  • @literallyjudas2157
    @literallyjudas2157 3 года назад +1814

    Cant wait to listen to this 15 times over the next week to get repeatedly angry at Antony's failures.

    • @literallyjudas2157
      @literallyjudas2157 3 года назад +2

      ?

    • @Togro1990
      @Togro1990 3 года назад +45

      totally ready for the next square to be mad at

    • @yevgeniygorbachev5152
      @yevgeniygorbachev5152 3 года назад +59

      I'm torn between being more angry at Antony vs Octavian. On one hand, Antony was vain and threw an allied kingdom under the bus for a strategic miscalculation on Antony's part, but on the other, Octavian violated their agreement and denied Antony the chance to reorganize the Roman West.

    • @YTuseraL2694
      @YTuseraL2694 3 года назад +10

      @@yevgeniygorbachev5152 west, or east?

    • @yevgeniygorbachev5152
      @yevgeniygorbachev5152 3 года назад +22

      @@YTuseraL2694 I meant East, sorry.

  • @taicanium
    @taicanium 3 года назад +914

    Cleopatra: "So, listen, you've got my sister in prison, and I kind of would like to have her..."
    Antony: "Returned to you? Of course, I'll bring her right back to Egypt."
    Cleopatra: "What? No. Dead. I want her dead. Slit throat. Severed head. Spill all her royal blood, the works."
    Antony: "...geez, girl."

  • @MartialGandhi
    @MartialGandhi 2 года назад +123

    My wife and i literally came back tipsy from the bar and the first thing she said was "Let's watch the next episode of that roman thing" and i said "hell yes!". We are big fans of historia civilis

    • @picklerix6162
      @picklerix6162 11 месяцев назад +8

      Nothing like a little history to set the mood.

    • @athunderfan
      @athunderfan 3 месяца назад +4

      ​@@picklerix6162especially with stories like antony and cleopatra, gets the blood flowing im sure

    • @Saddam_al-Husseini
      @Saddam_al-Husseini Месяц назад +3

      @@athunderfanThey gonna be locked in some reallll tense negotiations 😏

  • @emperorclaudius5499
    @emperorclaudius5499 3 года назад +543

    "All my work and all my money wasted!"
    "All my work and all my money wasted!"
    "All my work and all my money wasted!"
    Octavian chuckles
    "This'll make a great gift for Mark Antony"
    "Five talents for that bird!"

    • @crisscross-apples-sauces4255
      @crisscross-apples-sauces4255 3 года назад +6

      Lol

    • @grantwillis8542
      @grantwillis8542 3 года назад +16

      I love this reference. Well done

    • @timothymclean
      @timothymclean 3 года назад +30

      The real reason the Second Triumvirate broke down.

    • @rickaiello5052
      @rickaiello5052 3 года назад +9

      I see what you did there, Strongboy.

    • @createrz8433
      @createrz8433 3 года назад +3

      Ha I remember that video
      I wonder if he will make a reference to that during thr Civil War video once it ends

  • @Trolligarch
    @Trolligarch 3 года назад +1108

    "Ok I'm going to stop procrastinating and do some work."
    Notification: Historia Civilis has uploaded
    "Oh no."

    • @andrewmartin9379
      @andrewmartin9379 3 года назад +7

      Literally exactly what happened to me

    • @jamiee7367
      @jamiee7367 3 года назад +3

      Same

    • @bugrilyus
      @bugrilyus 3 года назад +1

      Shut pff your phone for a week man, try it. No screen time, good sleep, good food, good work.

    • @OttomanDrifter91
      @OttomanDrifter91 3 года назад

      Yeah, same. Also, don't forget to hate Antony.

    • @sriharshacv7760
      @sriharshacv7760 3 года назад

      TBH, he uploads once an year. Not such a big thing.

  • @exyl_sounds
    @exyl_sounds 3 года назад +1834

    3:34 as an egyptian who plays flute, I can confirm that those musicians were of the utmost royal swag

  • @akrybion
    @akrybion 3 года назад +323

    I get the strategic implications, but I can't in any way see how Antony thought declaring Caesarian Ceasar's legitimate son was a good move. You'd think Octavian's reaction to that is super obvious to anyone even vaguely familar with politics.

    • @SudrianTales
      @SudrianTales 2 года назад +67

      Especially with how shitty Anthony had been to Octavian after Caesars death

    • @dorkfish1275
      @dorkfish1275 Год назад +13

      insisting on proscriping someone octavian had considered a father must've STUNG.

    • @William-the-Guy
      @William-the-Guy Год назад +8

      I would imagine Antony/Cleopatra did that to deliberately provoke a war. That's bthe generous reading of the situation.

    • @dorkfish1275
      @dorkfish1275 Год назад +4

      @@William-the-Guy well he was a bad politician.

    • @William-the-Guy
      @William-the-Guy Год назад +7

      @@dorkfish1275 True. But Cleopatra was a good politician and she was involved in the decision as well. My guess was Cleopatra wanted to kill Octavian so her son would be the undisputed heir to Caesar. Caesar's veterans we're still loyal to his name and to Antony, many of them might have chosen to follow Caesarian over Octavian. From Cleopatra's perspective, it was a shrewd political move... Or it would have been if Antony hadn't lost the war.

  • @wisp6826
    @wisp6826 3 года назад +538

    So when Caesar left his supplies behind he made sure his army was between them and the enemy. That part was important.

    • @zimmerwald1915
      @zimmerwald1915 3 года назад +69

      Not at Avaricum. But even there, he had numerically adequate guards for his stuff so it couldn't just be raided and pillaged with ease.

    • @fearedjames
      @fearedjames 3 года назад +95

      Eh, it's not a terrible strategy. While Civilis wants to claim "Antony just screwed up" it fails to explain the simple thing. In real life, you don't just magically know where the enemy army is. So Parthia should of believed entering the mountains was a death trap. Their entire plan revolved around Antony abandoning his supply train and it being essentially unguarded.
      Therefore simply put, someone had to of tipped them off, or the Parthian general was an idiot who got lucky, or he pulled a 10000IQ master play and somehow knew Antony would abandon his supply train.
      Based on the scenario, I would almost immediately assume Armenia betrayed them as well.

    • @Captain_Carrot
      @Captain_Carrot 3 года назад +58

      @@fearedjames might not have been the "state" of Armenia, but at least some Armenians were most likely involved. At that time, Armenia was considered part of, for the lack of a better term, Greater Iran, and was very close culturally to Parthia. It isn't that much of a stretch to assume that at least one pro-Parthian noble would've known about ~50000 foreigners leaving their supplies behind. Even if the pro-Roman king managed to conceal it from the aristocracy, the close ties and cultural similarities between Armenia and Parthia make it infinitely easier for spies to operate there, compared to Asia Minor, Egypt or even Syria. And I can't really say how well informed Antony was on the cultural intricacies of the region, the state of Armenian politics or of the Parthian spy network, but I feel like he should've known at least something about at least the first two, if he was planning the invasion for years. And the fact that the earlier invasion of Syria happened precisely at the moment of his absence (especially considering the difficulty of quickly assembling armies in the past) should've probably tipped him off about the last one too.

    • @mcglynn20
      @mcglynn20 3 года назад +32

      @@fearedjames I mean it shouldn't have been a surprise that the Parthians might have been able to track down the baggage train, especially when the heir to the throne is pro-Parthian. If you're going to leave your baggage train behind, in a nation with pro-Parthian partisans, you really ought to guard it. Maybe he considered that but wanted to maximize his forces at the frontline, but at the end of the day it still is a miscalculation like HC said.

    • @danny90099
      @danny90099 3 года назад +1

      This is not first time parthia being invading by roman. Crassus did it before and at the time armenia offer to help him. But he stupid enough to refuse, i think after that parthia keep their eye on armenia and send number of spy in armenia

  • @phrophetsamgames
    @phrophetsamgames 3 года назад +494

    Gaius Julius Caesar: dies* Well both Octavius and Marc Antony can probably handle it from here.
    Octavian: gets thousands killed and has to face Boat King Sextus
    Antony: screws up the Parthian campaign and gets manipulated
    Gaius Julius Caesar: 🤦‍♂️

    • @Serocco
      @Serocco 3 года назад +29

      Genuinely infuriating seeing just how dumb they were at their jobs

    • @gummigamer4125
      @gummigamer4125 3 года назад +35

      He'd roll in his grave but it was made into an imprompto pyre.

    • @juliusrobertjuico6322
      @juliusrobertjuico6322 3 года назад +24

      The energy from Caesar turning in his grave from shame could probably power the whole Roman Empire

    • @patrykg6220
      @patrykg6220 3 года назад +37

      Antony's faliure in the Parthia is even more disapointing when you consider the time he has spent in Gaul with Caesar. Caesar was always carefull with his baggage train and set a lot o posts in strategic locations (bridges, crossroads etc.) and Antony is pushing forward without thinking about consequences.

    • @C0wsmacker
      @C0wsmacker 3 года назад +1

      @@juliusrobertjuico6322 Maybe thats how it lasted so long?

  • @Saurophaganax1931
    @Saurophaganax1931 2 года назад +60

    Fun fact Ventidius is one of those examples of a subordinate being objectively more competent than their superior. After Ventidius had turned back the Parthians he laid siege to Antiochus of Commagene. One of the local Roman leaders who had turned coat and sided with the Parthians. By the time Mark Antony had arrived in Asia Minor, Antiochus was attempting to sue for peace with Ventidius and was offering 1000 talents of silver in order to lift the the siege. However, craving a bit of glory for his own, Antony turned down the offer and took over the siege from Ventidius. As soon as command of the siege changed hands it almost immediately took a turn for the worse. Antony absolutely bungled the whole affair and ended up suing for peace anyways. However, This time Antony only received 300 talents of silver, instead of the 1000 that Ventidius had managed to negotiate previously.

  • @SecularIranian
    @SecularIranian 3 года назад +408

    Crassus is defeated in the plains.
    Everyone: You shoulda marched through the mountains!
    Antony marches through the mountains and loses.
    Everyone: Not like that, Ant, not like that.

    • @OkurkaBinLadin
      @OkurkaBinLadin 2 года назад +65

      Gotta love arm-chair generals. They are almost as lovable as armchair economists. (y)

    • @dayhawkify
      @dayhawkify 2 года назад +16

      It wasnt just March through the mountains, it was get escorted through and get reinforced at the same time

    • @jerry5449
      @jerry5449 Год назад +14

      @@dayhawkify leaving out context helps his argument

    • @HumanTouchArt
      @HumanTouchArt Год назад +12

      antonys plan was not that bad to be honest the only mistake he made was not securing his supply lines ....

    • @aryaa7069
      @aryaa7069 Год назад +7

      @@jerry5449 Except the army that beat Crassus wasn't even the main Parthian army and was only supposed to delay him. So if Crassus marched through Armenia he would have faced the main Parthian army led by the king which was much larger.

  • @diegocamacho6477
    @diegocamacho6477 3 года назад +738

    Well when most of the new puppet kings are your children and the center of the alliance is your lover you can't blame some guys for being suspicious.

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +98

      Crusader kings 2 diplomacy in a nutshell

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +3

      Well that’s what it was in the beginning I don’t know what it is now

    • @sparklesparklesparkle6318
      @sparklesparklesparkle6318 3 года назад +2

      sus af

    • @aguy6771
      @aguy6771 3 года назад +6

      Antony dogged the boys

    • @Dashcam-FPV
      @Dashcam-FPV 3 года назад +27

      Can't help but think it was all Cleopatra's idea. Anthony definitely doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed.
      That Armenia debacle doesn't exactly portray him as the mastermind of the Roman East's grand design.

  • @LoudRevised
    @LoudRevised 3 года назад +750

    Sextus is literally the best temporary side character. Competent and wanted glory but outshined.

  • @ScrubbyBubbles
    @ScrubbyBubbles 3 года назад +294

    I always picture the actor from the HBO show when we talk about Antony doing shady stuff. That guy was such a loveable bastard.

    • @Addious
      @Addious 3 года назад +34

      Octavian: I have the senate and all the good veterans by my side. I have the will of the roman people against you. What do you have?
      Antony: And I, have an angry egyptian mob. That will roast, and eat your crowds of quality in the ashes of the senate house!

    • @lukejones7164
      @lukejones7164 3 года назад +31

      James Purefoy

    • @xergiok2322
      @xergiok2322 2 года назад +31

      Yes, me too. James Purefoy will forever be the official Mark Antony. And his character just fits so well with historical Mark Antony's behaviour.

    • @William-the-Guy
      @William-the-Guy Год назад +5

      I so agree! That actor is THE definitive Antony. I would love to see him play Shakespeares Antony. Can't you just picture his funeral oration?

    • @AAARREUUUGHHHH
      @AAARREUUUGHHHH 11 месяцев назад +4

      Absolutely perfect casting with Antony. Sometimes hateable, sometimes loveable. Often drunk.

  • @francescomazzei4111
    @francescomazzei4111 3 года назад +214

    Anthony: "OMG the Parthians have broke through, we're royally screwed !!! Ventidius, take these few men and please, please, slow them down a tiny bit by diying"
    Ventidius: "Hold my vinum, ya little Cleo's bitch. I'm gonna blew away those Parthians' whole campaign"

  • @DreableNeebal10
    @DreableNeebal10 3 года назад +512

    "Antony was set on conquering Parthia"
    Well, I feel like if there was a map of Rome that reached out to Afghanistan I would have seen it by now so... my bet's on Parthia.

    • @timothymclean
      @timothymclean 3 года назад +70

      Hey, no spoilers!

    • @Mrkabrat
      @Mrkabrat 3 года назад +78

      Trajan would like to talk with you

    • @DreableNeebal10
      @DreableNeebal10 3 года назад +3

      @@Mrkabrat lol thank you for telling me about that

    • @jessep3079
      @jessep3079 3 года назад +3

      There is!
      Tabula Peutingeriana

    • @C0NSTANTINUS
      @C0NSTANTINUS 3 года назад +10

      @@Mrkabrat Trajan never went as far as Afghanistan

  • @danielchequer5842
    @danielchequer5842 3 года назад +661

    I like how Octavian just stormed out of the senate and got to the first podium he saw to deliver a speech. That's how I imagine every single senate meeting ended in Rome

    • @TempestLM
      @TempestLM 3 года назад +86

      Ant there's a whole crowd just waiting for someone to butthurt and storm out from the Senate to deliver some speech

    • @danielchequer5842
      @danielchequer5842 3 года назад +66

      @@TempestLM yeah everyone was like "I wonder what today's speech is gonna be about"

    • @tada-kun982
      @tada-kun982 3 года назад +57

      @@danielchequer5842 "I just hope it's not the land redistribution shite again. Last time heads started rollin'"

    • @Father_Qese
      @Father_Qese 3 года назад +10

      Thats just Roman equivalent of twitter.

  • @caijuu7775
    @caijuu7775 3 года назад +73

    "Hmm, how should I illustrate that Antony has fallen to drinking and is near-constantly inebriated? ...Oh I know I'll make the whole army spin!"

    • @rgddydshevchenko2448
      @rgddydshevchenko2448 Год назад +4

      They were standing on the grave of cicero, who's intense spinning moved the land over him with him

  • @lukeholdsworth6506
    @lukeholdsworth6506 3 года назад +350

    "I'm not saying Antony murdered his wife. I'm just saying Antony definitively murdered his wife." I want this on a shirt

  • @josephcohen734
    @josephcohen734 3 года назад +1137

    "Antony should be in jail!" - Historia Civilis
    This dude is very passionate about punishing people who died over 2000 years ago

    • @Milkyshake117
      @Milkyshake117 3 года назад +105

      Justice knows no bounds!

    • @BryanLikesCandy
      @BryanLikesCandy 3 года назад +10

      Culpam poena premit comes

    • @janfranklin5269
      @janfranklin5269 3 года назад +51

      Antony was a mass murderer... but who cares, he killed his wife!

    • @andrewstewart1464
      @andrewstewart1464 3 года назад +26

      We must find Marc Antony's bones and throw them in a jail cell!!

    • @Afrimusican
      @Afrimusican 3 года назад +41

      He's still mad about Cicero

  • @ProsperOn
    @ProsperOn 3 года назад +656

    This is ark is definitely more interesting than the Pompey/Caesar dynamic. Anthony being a thick headed narcissist and Octavian being a nerdy sociopath makes for more insane twists and turns than two competent generals actually duking it out.

    • @vallytine
      @vallytine 2 года назад +235

      It's more chaotic that's for sure. The Pompey/Caesar stuff had this air of professionalism to it, whereas the Second Triumvirate just feels like absolute power in absolutely the wrong hands.

    • @gmat5046
      @gmat5046 2 года назад +5

      Depends on what kind of story you like. History is full of em.

    • @Clementine_D
      @Clementine_D 2 года назад

      Truth!

    • @gmat5046
      @gmat5046 2 года назад +6

      @@Clementine_D Good characters make good stories

    • @mightycannon1512
      @mightycannon1512 2 года назад +14

      Tbh I like caesar vs pompey more

  • @RobinTheBot
    @RobinTheBot 2 года назад +174

    "Antony was not a sound negotiator"
    Antony: *gives an entire fleet to a guy who just siezed half his army from him for an IOU*
    Yeah ok cleo's spies were right

    • @zealousdoggo
      @zealousdoggo 2 года назад +8

      Outstanding strategy

    • @concept5631
      @concept5631 Год назад +10

      Imagine if Ventidius was in charge of the east.

  • @Jop_pop
    @Jop_pop 3 года назад +45

    "it was on the verge of being ripped apart by factionalism"
    *Vibrates with intense factionalism*

  • @iliasfilip2110
    @iliasfilip2110 3 года назад +371

    The Western Empire: A perfect map
    The Eastern Empire: A map made by a 7 year old

    • @waltervanbrunchem2462
      @waltervanbrunchem2462 3 года назад +42

      Probably because the borders of the west were mostly defined by rivers, contrary to the east, where there were more 'made up' borders.

    • @user-vz1zc3fn7o
      @user-vz1zc3fn7o 3 года назад +31

      @@waltervanbrunchem2462 You are seriously confusing 20th century Middle Eastern history with Ancient Middle Eastern history here.

    • @krankarvolund7771
      @krankarvolund7771 3 года назад +13

      @@waltervanbrunchem2462 Because rivers borders are totally not made up, I mean there's just thousands of rivers in Europe, it's logical to split countries following these specific rivers there :p
      All frontiers are made up ^^

    • @sunjasonjb2773
      @sunjasonjb2773 3 года назад +10

      I think he just means that the shape of the land in general is really wonky

    • @HolyKhaaaaan
      @HolyKhaaaaan 3 года назад +6

      @@krankarvolund7771 Sort of. One could build bridges and ferries over rivers to push the frontier farther away if one wanted. Caesar moved into German territory once and delcared it a triumph and a Roman accomplishment of invasion.
      But pragmatically, it's just easier to defend territory if you stop at a river, a mountain range, or some other natural barrier to travel.
      North Africa and the Middle East have deserts, but those are HYUGE. A definite border is MUCH less clear along a desert than along a river or a sudden increase in evelation.

  • @TheSecondVersion
    @TheSecondVersion 3 года назад +494

    "Let's go invade Parthia, it will get me far more glory than my rival's conquests"
    You'd think they'd have learned their lesson by now

    • @pooroldman5089
      @pooroldman5089 3 года назад +19

      Ventidus pulled it off

    • @prs_81
      @prs_81 3 года назад +40

      @@pooroldman5089 he did not invade Parthia.

    • @caesarion4975
      @caesarion4975 3 года назад +18

      @@prs_81 maybe he should have

    • @prs_81
      @prs_81 3 года назад +13

      @@caesarion4975 no? That would've been a direct defiance of Antony's orders. He was no glory hound.

    • @GrieferStudios
      @GrieferStudios 3 года назад +23

      I guess much later on Trajan managed to do it

  • @jlaurenpiano
    @jlaurenpiano 3 года назад +49

    "Antony bad brain dumb dumb stupid" had me on the floor laughing for several minutes

  • @sirjoey3137
    @sirjoey3137 2 года назад +111

    It's been 6 months and you still haven't followed up on this episode yet, it hurts because I'm so invested. This is easily my favourite series on youtube, I hope you know how much people appreciate your work my guy.

    • @mattthedoormat
      @mattthedoormat 2 года назад +11

      He's working on the next video. You can see his progress on his website. I think he mentioned on Twitter that the audio for the video is going to be at least an hour long, so that might be why it's taking so long to make the next episode.

    • @portland9880
      @portland9880 2 года назад +3

      Same here, can't wait for more

  • @Kuvina
    @Kuvina 3 года назад +812

    Losing a war and then blaming the Armenians, where have I seen that one before

    • @canadariots1139
      @canadariots1139 3 года назад +240

      Reminds me of when nothing happened in the Ottoman Empire between the years of 1915 and 1917

    • @armeniaeurovision8292
      @armeniaeurovision8292 3 года назад +64

      This comment is painfully funny for me 😅

    • @shafqatishan437
      @shafqatishan437 2 года назад +22

      The crusaders did that.

    • @markokrcmar5940
      @markokrcmar5940 2 года назад +7

      You mean after

    • @misaelfraga8196
      @misaelfraga8196 2 года назад +30

      @@shafqatishan437 no they didn't. At first they blamed the Byzantine emperor. Then king Guy. Then the emperor once again.

  • @TheSecondVersion
    @TheSecondVersion 3 года назад +349

    We will never know if Antony poisoned Fulvia without her knowing, or she was just so fed up with his crap that she willingly died

    • @lkcdarzadix6216
      @lkcdarzadix6216 3 года назад +6

      yea fulvia might have fed up with life or KILLED by Antony

    • @masterplokoon8803
      @masterplokoon8803 3 года назад +18

      She probably lost it with the charriot pulled by lions😅

    • @thwiftlythwept7023
      @thwiftlythwept7023 3 года назад +61

      "Dear Antony, I did this because you are a complete idiot. Goodbye forever." Antony stands with the note in his hands, ashen with jaw agape.
      A nobleman walks in, sees the corpse.
      Nobleman: "Antony you cunning dog. You've offed Fulvia for political gain! Genius!"
      Antony: "Umm...yeah! That's exactly what happened." Crumples note behind his back.

    • @breaden4381
      @breaden4381 3 года назад +2

      Pulled a Padme

    • @ethanalspencer7294
      @ethanalspencer7294 3 года назад +7

      Antony can't even win a battle against his wife without her doing it for him!

  • @johnpatrickcosta52
    @johnpatrickcosta52 2 года назад +49

    If Antony had asked Tribune Aquila this would've all gone down differently

  • @pkesseli
    @pkesseli 3 года назад +25

    Cleopatra: *dresses up as Aphrodite surrounded by cupids *
    Historia Civilis: "Perhaps seducing Antony was all part of the plan."
    Yes, Historia Civilis, *perhaps* ...

    • @user-cg2tw8pw7j
      @user-cg2tw8pw7j Год назад

      The Romans had a race of slaves from the Europeans, why do they care about this woman?

    • @masterexploder9668
      @masterexploder9668 Год назад +3

      Nah, she totally just felt the need to dress up as Aphrodite, please don't sexualize and objectify women.

  • @infidelheretic923
    @infidelheretic923 3 года назад +623

    Looks like Octavian is about to finally send those legions to Anthony...

    • @marckyle5895
      @marckyle5895 3 года назад +37

      You mean 'at Anthony'

    • @infidelheretic923
      @infidelheretic923 3 года назад +25

      @@marckyle5895
      😈

    • @ewanhogg3068
      @ewanhogg3068 3 года назад +12

      Pointy end first!

    • @hades7982
      @hades7982 3 года назад +3

      @@marckyle5895 same differanse

    • @jackj9816
      @jackj9816 3 года назад +1

      This is the Roman definition of finger on the nuke button

  • @user-bf5lv2nu2j
    @user-bf5lv2nu2j 3 года назад +697

    Cool fact: Cleopatra Selene, Cleopatra's and Antony's daughter have married king Juba the second of Numidia, and their pyramid shaped shrine still stands today in Algeria, not far from the capital Algiers. And is locally known as the "Tomb of the roman lady".

    • @tagmata1872
      @tagmata1872 3 года назад +53

      Wow that’s actually pretty cool

    • @mini_bunney
      @mini_bunney 3 года назад +71

      that is indeed a cool fact, and it led me into a half hour wikipedia binge, reading about her and Juba II, their son Ptolemy, and trying to figure out if the bloodline ended there or maybe continued through either their daughter Drusilla or their grand-daughter, also Drusilla :D

    • @METALFREAK03
      @METALFREAK03 3 года назад +42

      @@mini_bunney This is funny to me as my Great-Great Auntie was called Drusilla...who was tamely called "the witch of the east" (she resided in Malta at the time a British Colony)

    • @thenorthshow3655
      @thenorthshow3655 3 года назад +29

      @@METALFREAK03 you cant just drop that and not say more about it

    • @yulusleonard985
      @yulusleonard985 3 года назад +2

      He was featured on history civilis Roman Triumph?

  • @conchobarcampbell3200
    @conchobarcampbell3200 2 года назад +264

    How much longer do I need to wait for a follow up to this ? It is killing me, this is the longest break he has took between videos . I hope he is doing okay

    • @brogant6793
      @brogant6793 2 года назад +35

      Congress of Vienna: “oh HELLO THERE”

    • @geekzombie8795
      @geekzombie8795 Год назад +3

      F

    • @aj9306
      @aj9306 Год назад +10

      @@brogant6793 He still hasn't finished the Rome series, I hope he at least does one final one with the battle of Actium.

    • @villagemagician1320
      @villagemagician1320 Год назад +2

      Agreed. He's really starting to piss me off

    • @villagemagician1320
      @villagemagician1320 Год назад +2

      @@brogant6793 because so many people who are just holding their breath waiting for that to be released... What a jerk.

  • @thesenate5913
    @thesenate5913 2 года назад +18

    Antony: Caesarion is now heir
    Octavian: *and i took that personally*

  • @lemonchaos4785
    @lemonchaos4785 3 года назад +373

    Ventidius accidentally on purpose won the campaign in like 3 moves while Antony was trying to put together an army to face them💀

    • @tada-kun982
      @tada-kun982 3 года назад +42

      "Why are you back here, did they break through?"
      "Who?"
      "The Parthians!!"
      "Ah those mucks. Dead"

  • @mirceadonciu4983
    @mirceadonciu4983 3 года назад +418

    Tribune Aquila has allowed me to watch this early. Praise Jupiter!

    • @matthiasnagorski8411
      @matthiasnagorski8411 3 года назад +37

      But only praise if it's alright with Tribune Aquila!
      Wouldn't want to go over the head of the Great Tribune Aquila!

    • @UrosDrljaca
      @UrosDrljaca 3 года назад

      OMJ, so lucky

    • @oopieswhoopies
      @oopieswhoopies 3 года назад

      @@matthiasnagorski8411 LOL

    • @officialromanhours
      @officialromanhours 3 года назад +5

      petition to replace "my wife's boyfriend" with "tribune aquila"

  • @luccon8567
    @luccon8567 3 года назад +52

    30:12 - The cutest and best thing I've yet to hear ever. Please can we get more bloopers??? Your laugh is the purest thing ever!

    • @cyruscheng499
      @cyruscheng499 2 года назад +13

      His laugh makes me wanna be pregnant 30:16

    • @Cubelarooso
      @Cubelarooso 2 года назад

      @@cyruscheng499 Pronatalism is child abuse.

    • @antonioducc4501
      @antonioducc4501 Год назад +5

      ​@@cyruscheng499 ayo what????????????

  • @meowmeow6640
    @meowmeow6640 2 года назад +40

    Hey man I’ve watched the whole series without commenting, but I really think this is the best synopsis of the period of Roman history for adults who want to reintroduce themselves to the subject. You did a REALY great here man. It’s appreciated, even if I hadn’t decided to comment.

  • @ousamadearu5960
    @ousamadearu5960 3 года назад +261

    Antony, the one person who could do a massive miscalculation out of sheer Antony things.

  • @samiamrg7
    @samiamrg7 3 года назад +585

    It was pretty bold of Antony to try and declare Caesarion as legitimate when he still required Octavian’s cooperation to get the plan through the senate.

    • @thibautnarme6402
      @thibautnarme6402 3 года назад +127

      "Bad brain dum dum"

    • @gabrieldossantos1116
      @gabrieldossantos1116 3 года назад +122

      Ah yes, the thin line between boldness and stupidity lmao I love how it defines almost every major event in history. Crassus invading Parthia? We would remember it as a bold move had him won, but he didn't so we only remember him as a stupid guy lmao

    • @TheSimmr001
      @TheSimmr001 2 года назад +60

      it might have been a case of
      "surely Octavian will see the logic behind my actions"
      "Antony did WHAT?!"

    • @basedimperialism
      @basedimperialism 2 года назад

      A VERY stupid politician indeed.

    • @carval51
      @carval51 2 года назад +18

      @@thibautnarme6402 tbh I agree on that one, but why the fuck cleopatra does not stop him. she at least clever enough to understand

  • @ericmarley7060
    @ericmarley7060 3 года назад +29

    Anthony when his wife died: "Oh no! Anyway..."

  • @croftyprojects
    @croftyprojects 3 года назад +13

    "Antony took to heavy drinking"
    *box starts spinning*

  • @IgnaceR152
    @IgnaceR152 3 года назад +677

    I just watched the Netflix documentaries on Rome and it's amazing that with all the means they have at their disposal, they never achieve to deliver a story as captivating and detailed as my favourite coloured squares dashing around a map of Europe. Keep up the good work!

    • @panosloulos
      @panosloulos 3 года назад +6

      Your comment should be in the top 5.
      (Perhaps comparing it to another channel's show is not well accepted :P )

    • @Ildskalli
      @Ildskalli 3 года назад +4

      Yep, very underrated comment.

    • @tulsatrash
      @tulsatrash 3 года назад +12

      Yeah Netflix needs to step up their game. I mean I'd say plenty of other TV documentary producers I won't name do too but I long ago gave up on them.

    • @sunderzilla
      @sunderzilla 3 года назад +21

      I am more emotionally invested in these colored squares

    • @EditorialJoe
      @EditorialJoe 3 года назад +13

      @@tulsatrash Well, come on. Netflix has no scholarly ambitions. They have a vested interest in tinting everything in the hue of modern politics, not in making a serious attempt at presenting raw history. Just be happy Susan and her YT goons haven't found a reason to crush this and other historically-oriented channels (yet).

  • @vaylonkenadell
    @vaylonkenadell 3 года назад +352

    "It was around this time that Antony became pregnant once more..."
    Save it for the fanfiction sites!

  • @jefftaylor1186
    @jefftaylor1186 Год назад +14

    “I accidentally into a triumph” - Ventidius

  • @rexxtank8165
    @rexxtank8165 3 года назад +47

    In defense of Antony, at least he did NOT lose his head like Crassus

  • @dylantaylor3139
    @dylantaylor3139 3 года назад +504

    I can't believe Antony may or may not have killed his wife.

    • @zimmerwald1915
      @zimmerwald1915 3 года назад +25

      You can't believe he may or may not have, because he definitely did it. You should believe that instead.

    • @Ayy_Doll_Fiddler
      @Ayy_Doll_Fiddler 3 года назад +4

      Listen and believe > trust but verify.

    • @sanguiniusi8187
      @sanguiniusi8187 3 года назад

      If you had watched the video in its entirety you would now.

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +3

      @@Ayy_Doll_Fiddler what an accurate representation of modern politics

    • @Marc-pu8bu
      @Marc-pu8bu 3 года назад

      Antony's Cat

  • @IndigoSolution
    @IndigoSolution 3 года назад +507

    Early to a new Historia Civillis video? Instantly a perfect day.

  • @runkelpokk9
    @runkelpokk9 Год назад +15

    I really hope you continue the Rome series one day, I enjoy the modern era videos too, but the roman ones just hit different rip little squares

  • @nickthielemier3501
    @nickthielemier3501 2 года назад +6

    I think you are the most underrated of all RUclips Historians.

  • @stevemcqueen8677
    @stevemcqueen8677 3 года назад +115

    this is definitely my favorite tri-monthly drama show.

  • @Sangokun1
    @Sangokun1 3 года назад +729

    Fluvia dies. Doctors: "She lost the will to live."

    • @cheerfulpessimist952
      @cheerfulpessimist952 3 года назад +72

      Impossible, perhaps the archives are incomplete?

    • @Novous
      @Novous 3 года назад +32

      Anakin totally killed padme

    • @redlobster1143
      @redlobster1143 3 года назад +15

      @@Novous technically, it was palpatine who did it

    • @jackj9816
      @jackj9816 3 года назад

      @@cheerfulpessimist952 Antony draws sword “ check again “

    • @miguelmontenegro3520
      @miguelmontenegro3520 3 года назад +2

      Antony: Yeaa I mean....NOOOOOOOOO

  • @phi0_
    @phi0_ 2 года назад +17

    I've never been so excited for a next part in a series.

  • @jojomoman
    @jojomoman 3 года назад

    I love these videos more than I can really state in words. Such a digestible way of telling history, without treating me like a child and dumbing everything down. Big massive thank you!

  • @lagmeister3215
    @lagmeister3215 3 года назад +481

    As soon as Antony left those supply wagons behind, I knew it was going to be a disaster for the campaign

  • @TheSecondVersion
    @TheSecondVersion 3 года назад +144

    Remember long, long, ago, when Historia Civilis covered the Battle of Alesia, where Caesar "recognized talent when he saw it," making Mark Antony his right hand man after the latter repelled a Gallic breach in the wall?
    Mark Antony apparently farted all that talent away in the years since

    • @arawn1061
      @arawn1061 3 года назад +86

      I guess a competant officer doesn't automatically transfer to a competant general or politician

    • @EvilPumpkin
      @EvilPumpkin 3 года назад +25

      @@arawn1061 Romans were awfull negotiators and politicians by default.

    • @arawn1061
      @arawn1061 3 года назад +4

      @@EvilPumpkin haha yeah that too

    • @patrickovsiu
      @patrickovsiu 3 года назад +32

      To be fair HC quite recognized that Anthony still had the talent in this video (by declaring his final plan logically sound and valid), he just got outclassed by Octavian, whose talent was also recognized by Caesar (well, otherwise why did he write that will?)

    • @dimesonhiseyes9134
      @dimesonhiseyes9134 3 года назад +19

      Well Antony was probably a good General. Kinda the equivalent of a full Colonel or 1 star general. Where good soldier skills are still a great asset. But anything bigger he seems to be incapable of handling. Incapable of handling future thinking and bug picture stuff.

  • @Spazmonkey625
    @Spazmonkey625 3 года назад +3

    You are literally one of the only youtubers that makes me drop everything to watch a video as soon as I see it uploaded.

  • @Michael-zf4pi
    @Michael-zf4pi 3 года назад +2

    I just have to say, the way you speak, the way you put it together, just everything is perfect. I get more joy out of these then actual tv shows. I'm not laughing or anything, it's literally just entertaining to listen and watch. Great job dude.

  • @tylerhaigler7409
    @tylerhaigler7409 3 года назад +245

    It's almost like Antony was ahead of his time in dividing the empire between west and east.. Octavian said nah

    • @patrickovsiu
      @patrickovsiu 3 года назад +37

      IMHO had he not put Caesarion forward things might have been different. Octavian probably would not give a damn if Antony had been _more_ egotistic than he actually did and only elevate his own children. Of course, putting Caesarion forward could be Cleopatra's idea instead...

    • @F14thunderhawk
      @F14thunderhawk 3 года назад +14

      @@rin_etoware_2989 What Rome needed was to strike a balance between centralization and decentralization, something they never achieved. a Single Emperor could have handled an empire the size of Rome, if they did the US thing, and started handling the empire as separate but united kingdoms, with the Emperor's duties to handle the military and treasury while they set up provincial Senates that handle local policy, while the governors essentially handle the actual campaigns. The problem is that its very difficult to convey to People as a whole the difference between Decisive Leadership, and Wise governance.

    • @SimuLord
      @SimuLord 3 года назад +7

      My thoughts exactly. You can see the roots of the Byzantine Empire as far back as Pompey heading east in 49 BCE, over three centuries before Diocletian became the first to formally divide the empire.

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +1

      Don’t you dare mention theodocious round here we are in 40 bce not random barbion sacking Rome year 5

    • @METALFREAK03
      @METALFREAK03 3 года назад +1

      @@rin_etoware_2989 "for a realm as big as the Roman Empire, a single emperor won't be enough"
      The second British Empire takes notes. (Empress Victoria!)

  • @cfv7461
    @cfv7461 3 года назад +635

    Napoleon: and then my entire army died to the winter
    Anthony: first time?

    • @LanMandragon1720
      @LanMandragon1720 3 года назад +57

      Hitler furiously taking notes... for which his father punished him terribly.

    • @Clever_Motel
      @Clever_Motel 3 года назад +39

      @@LanMandragon1720 I like to imagine there's a large circular table in hell having this conversation

    • @brrrrrtenjoyer
      @brrrrrtenjoyer 3 года назад +17

      @Deo God said the guy who killed Hitler would go to heaven.

    • @irarelyupload6930
      @irarelyupload6930 3 года назад +5

      @Deo Where else would two warmongering dictators belong?

    • @adrianbundy3249
      @adrianbundy3249 3 года назад +9

      @@irarelyupload6930 Hitler wouldn't, that is for sure. But Napoleon did in fact, do a lot of good. His worst mistake was really his egotism, which infected him by him placing his family on positions of power as a king.
      As for the wars themselves, while he certainly got into enough trouble from his own machinations, you cannot think that without his input, they would not have happened, do you? The moment his nation was in chaos due to revolutionaries that were lopping off heads, and now starting to be threatened by foreign powers who's monarchies also wanted to cling to power, did not want that, so Napoleon went in and fixed what was left of both problems really. And did really help revitalize, reform, and make a lot of changes that were good enough for the populace even for a long, long time after his death.
      Even after winning the defensive struggles vs the outside powers, the UK and some other nations continued to push him to topple and his nation collapse, because they could not stand him making a strong France, or other reasons. And we can also track this in policy. No, they would never have left him alone, and after the fourth time proving that, Napoleon needed no further reminders. I can hardly blame him if his default set after was to try and push for ending it, and further conquest. He went aggressive. But even if he did not, it would be naive to think those enemies just sit back and do nothing for the next 20 years, or that the war does not come, when he is just a bit weaker.
      Do not delude yourself on Napoleon.

  • @enomiellanidrac9137
    @enomiellanidrac9137 2 года назад +15

    "... a civil war was inevitable..."
    Roman people: Ah shit, here we go again.

  • @JawsOfHistory
    @JawsOfHistory 3 года назад +295

    I'm a bit surprised that you dedicated an entire episode to Cicero, but left out the part about Fulvia sticking golden pins into the tongue of Cicero's decapitated head and may even have been responsible for his proscription.

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +7

      Holy sh it I love that profile pic

    • @JawsOfHistory
      @JawsOfHistory 3 года назад +2

      @@necfreon6259 Thanks!

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад +1

      @@JawsOfHistory cool beans

    • @JustinCage56
      @JustinCage56 3 года назад +9

      Poor old man can't catch a break

    • @necfreon6259
      @necfreon6259 3 года назад

      @@JustinCage56 ouch his own wife did that to him

  • @fdumbass
    @fdumbass 3 года назад +1504

    Honestly Anthony seems smart af on some issues and dumb as a rock on others. Even though he's despicable in lots of ways, I feel like he's a weirdly human character in all of this.

    • @canadabacon4
      @canadabacon4 3 года назад +86

      Just was NOT a tactician

    • @BosonCollider
      @BosonCollider 3 года назад +329

      @@canadabacon4 He was a better tactician than Octavian though. Arguably, tactics was his stronger suit, and his politics became shrewd only when Cleopatra started "helping" him. Competence level was just overall much lower in this generation than in the one before

    • @louie97ation
      @louie97ation 3 года назад +173

      Some people are just incredibly specialized. Antony didn’t always play to his strengths.

    • @arawn1061
      @arawn1061 3 года назад +161

      There was someone who once said Antony kinda just seems like an officer who got lucky beyond his wildest dreams

    • @luizamorim8265
      @luizamorim8265 3 года назад +67

      He seems like a somewhat smart guy who thinks he is better than he actually is

  • @bobwreath
    @bobwreath 2 года назад +4

    Looking forward to more content! Been rewatching your entire catalog and loving it. Hope I've not missed something massive 0.o

  • @RatafakTehPlachta
    @RatafakTehPlachta 3 года назад

    these are getting ridiculously good, its like watching a movie, keep up the great work! by far my fav channel

  • @t.c.bramblett617
    @t.c.bramblett617 3 года назад +92

    Meanwhile Lepidus is like "Beautiful weather in Carthage! Wish you guys were here! XOX"

    • @batavica1875
      @batavica1875 3 года назад +15

      Nah, Lepidus is living outside of Rome because Octavian stole his territory

    • @Zimisce85
      @Zimisce85 3 года назад +2

      I send you my blessings guys. I am the Pontiff, after all.

  • @CaptainSully101
    @CaptainSully101 3 года назад +327

    "You can't describe late Roman Republic politics in one sentence" Yes I can, 0:26

  • @Xurium
    @Xurium 2 года назад +51

    I may humble insist, you continue Octavians story, since I urgently need to see it told with colorful squares entirely :) Please? :D

  • @OfficialMonarchy
    @OfficialMonarchy 3 года назад

    Thank you for linking the sources! These videos are amazing!

  • @sonole3
    @sonole3 3 года назад +204

    “I’m not saying there was foul play, I’m just saying Antony definitely murdered his wife” had me lose it

    • @dougkleen9917
      @dougkleen9917 3 года назад +3

      was funny but I disagree with him as Romans divorced and remarried for alliance purposes all the time, Antony had no reason to kill his wife and he would know how it would look in Rome.

  • @henrybricks2953
    @henrybricks2953 3 года назад +185

    20:57
    "It is at this time that Antony took to heavy drinking"
    Antony: *WHEEEEEEZE

    • @tulsatrash
      @tulsatrash 3 года назад +1

      After a trip like that I can totally understand heavy drinking.

    • @leemarshall348
      @leemarshall348 3 года назад +1

      Anthony Stark
      Stark Anthony

    • @sparklesparklesparkle6318
      @sparklesparklesparkle6318 3 года назад

      Vinny "SPEEEEEEEEEEEEN" came to mind

    • @TheSecondVersion
      @TheSecondVersion 3 года назад

      Was Antony ever NOT heavily drinking?

    • @cyberhikikomori5326
      @cyberhikikomori5326 3 года назад

      You mean ha WASN'T DRUNK during his fiasco of a consulship? Color me shocked

  • @gabrielgboucher6546
    @gabrielgboucher6546 3 года назад

    Good video man! These are my favorite series about that period of history. Thx HC!

  • @tatultadevossian5242
    @tatultadevossian5242 3 года назад +1

    Man I love this video. Excellent work! Instant subscription!

  • @ferrjuan
    @ferrjuan 3 года назад +514

    The system that Antony wanted to setup in the East reminded me of how Napoleon put his family members on various European thrones.

    • @VAWM.
      @VAWM. 3 года назад +64

      And it seems to have worked out about as well.

    • @ferrjuan
      @ferrjuan 3 года назад +53

      @Kelvin Higgs not at this level at least not until the Habsburgs when they controlled HRE, Kingdoms of Spain, Bohemia, Hungary and Naples, Low Countries, Lombardy and its colonial possessions under Charles V.

    • @thibautnarme6402
      @thibautnarme6402 3 года назад +26

      Eventually it is what happened anyway (not with his family) but Lydia, Thrace, Galatia and Pontic were all at some point headed by the same Hellenic family network under Roman 'guidance'

    • @hyort3613
      @hyort3613 3 года назад +47

      Here in the Netherlands it worked too wel, Luis napoleon bonaparte ruled us from 1806 to 1810 and became so popular that some claimed he cared more about the Dutch then the French. He learned Dutch, visited disaster sites and donated money to poor and those that had suffered disaster. In one speech he even called himself “konijn van olland” which is almost the right way if saying king of holland but it actually means rabbit of olland. In 1810 he refused to give napoleon as much troops as he wanted for the russian campaign and seeing his popularity in the Netherlands Napoleon removed his brother Luis from the throne

    • @donrog5035
      @donrog5035 3 года назад +22

      I respect Napoleon and I admire the guy for some of his success but put his family members on various european thrones was a DUMB move. that didn't even pay off when he was in trouble. there were no legitimacy in that.
      The system that Anthony wanted to make in the east was interesting but for such a huge task I think it was best for him to go in Rome to explain that himself to the senate. Maybe his plan would have been approved.

  • @lonelittlejerry917
    @lonelittlejerry917 3 года назад +143

    "It's at this time Antony took to heavy drinking"
    Feel like I've heard this somewhere before

    • @ryangrear3430
      @ryangrear3430 3 года назад +14

      yea i heard that and was like "wait THIS is when it started what the hell was he doing before"

    • @thibautnarme6402
      @thibautnarme6402 3 года назад +8

      @@ryangrear3430 He was just partying, social drinking you know the amount and habit that are completely acceptable fir an elite Roman...

    • @ryangrear3430
      @ryangrear3430 3 года назад +11

      @@thibautnarme6402 you sure I distinctly remember a certain Lupercalia festival and more importantly an number of time he walked into the senate drunk (while being Caesar’s master of horse)
      But yea I get what you mean it’s really bad when even his supporters are saying he is drinking excessively (actually considering his life I’m surprised gout didn’t kill him)

    • @kanrup5199
      @kanrup5199 2 года назад +5

      I believe one Roman general once took to heavy drinking getting besieged by rabid Egyptians...or am I mistaken?

    • @lonelittlejerry917
      @lonelittlejerry917 2 года назад +1

      @@kanrup5199 precisely

  • @EditorialJoe
    @EditorialJoe 3 года назад

    Fantastic as expected. Always a pleasure to see a new update!

  • @Naingwinzaw
    @Naingwinzaw 2 года назад +6

    The best part has to be "When he did get around to sending his legions east, it was not in the way that Antony expected!"
    At 13.37

  • @bun197
    @bun197 3 года назад +140

    I'm sure that Herod guy will turn out to be a nice king

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 3 года назад +7

      Anything to the contrary is religious propaganda.

    • @bun197
      @bun197 3 года назад +49

      @@seneca983 I made a redditor seethe lol

    • @seneca983
      @seneca983 3 года назад

      @@bun197 Where?

    • @eazyv2069
      @eazyv2069 3 года назад

      @@seneca983 muh

    • @leemarshall348
      @leemarshall348 3 года назад +9

      Herod, what a nice sounding guy. Im sure wont commit mass infanticide in hopes of killing the son of God.

  • @jejeakle
    @jejeakle 3 года назад +108

    “Antony was not a particularly deep political thinker.”
    We learned this years ago with his disastrous occupation of the senate while Caesar fought in North Africa

    • @Mikko088
      @Mikko088 3 года назад +23

      Or how about when he lifted up a direct challenger to Octavian in his plan. I mean did he really expected that to go over smoothly?

    • @jacquesmesrine3244
      @jacquesmesrine3244 3 года назад +3

      Octavian simply outsmarted him. The spirit of Caesar would not allow anyone other than his legal heir to reign!

    • @jejeakle
      @jejeakle 3 года назад

      @@jacquesmesrine3244 either way, Antony is probably my least favorite Roman politician

  • @thisissilly9544
    @thisissilly9544 2 года назад +8

    God I hope you continue this series, can't go on re watching forever

  • @gratchhalloway4463
    @gratchhalloway4463 3 года назад

    Glad you're still doing these.

  • @evanmalcolm4724
    @evanmalcolm4724 3 года назад +100

    unironically, even considering the minimalist style, the graphics and animation on these videos only continues to get better and better. the camera movement is so smooth and the tiny little animation details, like on Cleopatra's ship, are amazing

  • @xthief1037
    @xthief1037 3 года назад +131

    Anthony moves with Cleopatra's sons is something out of Crusader Kings Strategies

    • @patrickovsiu
      @patrickovsiu 3 года назад +4

      Hmmm... how did he get the game about 2050 years early is anyone's guess

    • @xthief1037
      @xthief1037 3 года назад +14

      @@patrickovsiu probably a mod

    • @arthurrebello919
      @arthurrebello919 3 года назад +17

      He was a beta tester

    • @Nothing-ch3dw
      @Nothing-ch3dw 2 года назад

      @@arthurrebello919 He was a beta alright and he sure was testy.

  • @historylegends
    @historylegends 3 года назад

    Beautiful video, I knew about the war between Octavian and Anthony, the battle of Actium and all this, but didn't know about all these complex military operations taking place in the Middle East. I also love how you're not shy to come up with your own conclusions (Anthony's wife for example), through deduction, when historical data is lacking. Well Done!

  • @brandonwhite6421
    @brandonwhite6421 3 года назад

    I get more excited about new episodes of your show more than anything else on RUclips!

  • @wicker4526
    @wicker4526 3 года назад +88

    When you fail to conquer Parthia so naturally you make your 5-year-old son the king of it

    • @arawn1061
      @arawn1061 2 года назад +7

      To be fair the 5 year old would have probably done a better job