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however, being too ill.
Antony was given control of the East as a result, while Octavian worked to strengthen his hold on Italy,
sensing that Rome was where the ultimate power rested. Officially he still held Africa, but in Italy he
fought with Antony's brother Lucius and Fulvia in 41 B.C., in the PERUSING WAR, and then began
gaining the good will of the legions by distributing land to the veterans of campaigns.
Political maneuvering next involved him in a marriage with Scribonia, a relative of Sextus Pompey, the son
of Pompey the Great, but he divorced her and married the formidable Livia Drusilla, who remained with
him until his death. Antony still troubled him, and a certain relaxation of tension was accomplished by the
treaty of Brundi-sium in 40 B.C.
The triumvirate was maintained and extended by the treaty of Tarentum in 37 B.C.: Octavian ruled the
West, Antony the East and Lepidus took Africa. Marc Antony married Octavia, Octavian's sister, but
found life in the East too compelling, falling in love with Cleopatra VII of Egypt and thus dooming the
marriage. Octavian could not take action against his brother-in-law as Sextus Pompey, a pirate with a
vast fleet and a reputation for cruelty, still plagued Rome. Marcus Agrippa, however, waged a brilliant
campaign against Sextus Pompey, and in 36 B.C. Sextus was defeated at the battle of Naulochus.
Lepidus then attempted to revolt against his fellow triumvirs, but his legions were taken away from him by
Octavian, who sent him into exile at Circeii. This left only Octavian and Antony, dividing the Roman
world between them. Octavian took the title of Imperator as he waged campaigns in Illyricum and
Dalmatia (35-33 B.C.), after which he proclaimed to the Romans that their frontiers were safe. With that
proclamation came a beautification program for the city, under the direction of Agrippa. His popularity
thus ensured, Octavian was prepared to meet Antony for the final confrontation.
In October of 32 B.C., the western provinces swore their allegiance to Octavian. War was inevitable, and
on September 2, 31, the battle of ACTIUM was fought off the west coast of Greece, with Octavian facing
Antony and Cleopatra. Through Agrippa's brilliant leadership, Octavian won the day and gained mastery
over the Roman world. He conquered Egypt in 30 and generally pacified the East along the lines begun
by Antony.
As the "foremost citizen" of the Republic, Octavian exercised power beyond that of his predecessors.
Unlike his uncle, Julius Caesar, he had no intention of declaring himself the master of the people, the
ruler of the state - the dictator. Octavian recognized that by maintaining the Republican institutions and
ensuring the prosperity of all Roman traditions, he could help Rome achieve its destined greatness.
He served as consul from 31 to 23 B.C. In 30 he was granted tribunician power, and in 29 began his
reforms of the army. The plunder of Egypt was used to pay off his troops, and many veterans were given
lands to farm and colonize. The legions were thus reduced, but Roman influence in the provinces was
ensured.
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