DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69035#0027
MARC ANTONY.
Antony affords us the most memorable example of
the power of love, over an ardent and impassioned mind.
Ambitious and sanguinary while the lover of the vindic-
tive Fulvia, we behold him weak and voluptuous when
seduced by Cleopatra. This conduct was the more
striking as the fate of the world had been confided to
him,—that he who commanded the universe should yield
to the force of passion, and leave the Roman empire
to his victorious rival.
The first years of Marc Antony, the son of Marc An-
tony, surnamed Cretensis, was only remarkable for the
military talents he displayed, and the excesses too com-
mon in the Roman youth. He at first served in Egypt
under Gabinius, and the glory he there acquired raised
him to different stations upon his return to Rome. He
manifested his attachment for Caesar, at the risk of his
own life ; and the fortune of this general, of which he
was a partaker, opened a field to his ambition. It ap-
pears that he was fully in the confidence of the Dictator,
and advised all the enterprises that were undertaken
against the liberties of Rome. He contributed, at least,
to their execution, and was considered the most faithful
supporter of Caesar, who entrusted him at Pharsalia, with
the command of the left wing of his army. His talents
and reputation might have given umbrage to the am-
bition of Caesar, had not his pleasure and his indolence
in time of peace silenced all his fears. Elevated to the
Antony affords us the most memorable example of
the power of love, over an ardent and impassioned mind.
Ambitious and sanguinary while the lover of the vindic-
tive Fulvia, we behold him weak and voluptuous when
seduced by Cleopatra. This conduct was the more
striking as the fate of the world had been confided to
him,—that he who commanded the universe should yield
to the force of passion, and leave the Roman empire
to his victorious rival.
The first years of Marc Antony, the son of Marc An-
tony, surnamed Cretensis, was only remarkable for the
military talents he displayed, and the excesses too com-
mon in the Roman youth. He at first served in Egypt
under Gabinius, and the glory he there acquired raised
him to different stations upon his return to Rome. He
manifested his attachment for Caesar, at the risk of his
own life ; and the fortune of this general, of which he
was a partaker, opened a field to his ambition. It ap-
pears that he was fully in the confidence of the Dictator,
and advised all the enterprises that were undertaken
against the liberties of Rome. He contributed, at least,
to their execution, and was considered the most faithful
supporter of Caesar, who entrusted him at Pharsalia, with
the command of the left wing of his army. His talents
and reputation might have given umbrage to the am-
bition of Caesar, had not his pleasure and his indolence
in time of peace silenced all his fears. Elevated to the