Battle of Actium: The Romans at War: Classical Civilization: GCSE (9:1)

Julius Caesar

(13 July 100 BC - 15 March 44 BC). Proclaimed 'dictator in perpetuity' before his assassination by rebel senators.

Octavian

(23 September 63 BC - 19 August AD 14). Adopted by Julius Caesar, given title of 'Augustus' by senate, Rome's first Emperor.

Marcus Lepidus

(88/89 BC - 13 BC). The last 'Pontifex Maximus' of the Roman Republic, previously close ally to Julius Caesar and part of the Second Triumvirate.

Agrippa

(23 October/November 63 BC - 12 BC). Close friend, son-in-law and lieutenant to Octavian. Responsible for construction of numerous notable buildings and assisted Augustus in making Rome a "city of marble".

Mark Antony

(14 January 83 BC - 1 August 30 BC). General of Julius Caesar, administer of Italy and later the client kingdom of Egypt ruled by Cleopatra at the time.

Cleopatra VII

(69 BC - 12 August 30 BC). The last active pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt. Unlike her Greek predecessors after Alexander's death during the Hellenistic age, she learnt Egyptian. She represented herself as the reincarnation of the goddess Isis.

Actium

Ancient name of a promontory of Western Greece in Northwestern Acarnania at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf.

Galley

A type of ship propelled by rowing. Characterized by a long, slender hull, shallow draft and low clearance between sea and railing. Used by both sides.

September 31BC

Date of the Battle of Actium

Apollo

Actium is a city sacred to the Greek god of the sun

Naval battle

Actium was fought on the sea.

Ionian Sea

Where the conflict took place.

Princeps

Title of "First Citizen" adopted by Octavian.

Augustus

Title awarded by the Roman senate to Octavian.

Second Triumvirate

Alliance between Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus.

'Magister equitum'

Antony most successful and seior officer in Caesar's army.

Nicopolis

City of victory built by Octavian.

Shrine of Apollo

Place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Apollo.

Egypt

Kingdom situated in north Africa handed over to Rome

Cassius Dio

Greek senator and author of historical work.

Ballista

An ancient missile weapon used to launch a large projectile at a distant target.

Queen of Kings

Mark Antony's term for Cleopatra the Egyptian monarch.

Cleopatra's suicide

12 August 30 BC.

Caesarion

'Little Caesar' son of Cleopatra.

The Hellenistic period

Period of Ancient Greek history and Mediterranean history between the death of Alexander the Great (323 BC) and the Battle of Actium (31 BC).

Ptolemaic Kingdom

Hellenistic Kingdom based in Egypt ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty.