The Battle of Actium
The naval battle at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf in which Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
- Date
- 2 September 31 BC
- Location
- Strait at the entrance of the Ambracian Gulf
- Winner
- Octavian
- Result
- Start of the Empire, foundation of Nikopolis
On 2 September 31 BC the Battle of Actium was fought in the Ionian Sea, at the strait leading into the Ambracian Gulf. Octavian's fleet was commanded by Marcus Agrippa and Antony's by himself and Gaius Sosius, with Cleopatra's squadron in the rear.
The battle
Octavian had about 400 galleys, while Antony had about 250 larger ones from about 500 ships that had assembled, since not all could be manned, and desertion and malaria were major problems. Cleopatra's Egyptian squadron withdrew to open sea without engaging, and Antony, believing all was lost, followed her, abandoning the battle. His fleet was burned, sunk or captured.
Consequences
Antony's army deserted and Octavian occupied his camp. On 1 August 30 BC he defeated him at Alexandria and Antony and Cleopatra took their own lives. Octavian received the title Augustus in 27 BC and Egypt became a Roman province. To commemorate the victory he founded Nikopolis.
