1
00:00:13,923 --> 00:00:15,923
[ominous music]
2
00:00:19,643 --> 00:00:24,483
[narrator] Destiny can be shaped
by an encounter between two people.
3
00:00:26,843 --> 00:00:27,723
[panting]
4
00:00:27,723 --> 00:00:32,803
If their paths never crossed,
how different would history be?
5
00:00:32,803 --> 00:00:34,963
[suspenseful music]
6
00:00:34,963 --> 00:00:36,923
But brought together by the fates
7
00:00:36,923 --> 00:00:42,083
and driven by fierce ambition,
determination, and love,
8
00:00:43,003 --> 00:00:44,883
empires can be built...
9
00:00:47,283 --> 00:00:49,643
or shaken to their very core.
10
00:00:49,643 --> 00:00:51,363
[yelps, sighs]
11
00:00:51,363 --> 00:00:52,643
[Mark Antony] Got you.
12
00:00:52,643 --> 00:00:53,803
You cheat.
13
00:00:53,803 --> 00:00:55,003
- How did I cheat?
- [exhales]
14
00:00:55,003 --> 00:00:56,523
You cheated.
[laughs]
15
00:00:56,523 --> 00:01:00,923
[narrator] Together, Mark Antony
and Cleopatra will do both...
16
00:01:02,483 --> 00:01:06,483
blazing their own unforgettable trail
through history.
17
00:01:06,483 --> 00:01:07,523
What?
18
00:01:08,403 --> 00:01:09,562
I'm pregnant.
19
00:01:11,483 --> 00:01:12,523
[gasps]
20
00:01:13,323 --> 00:01:18,083
[theme music]
21
00:01:28,283 --> 00:01:30,843
[insects chirping]
22
00:01:34,323 --> 00:01:38,123
{\an8}After Cleopatra entertains
Mark Antony in Tarsus,
23
00:01:38,123 --> 00:01:40,683
{\an8}she invites him back to Alexandria.
24
00:01:40,683 --> 00:01:42,763
[upbeat music]
25
00:01:45,723 --> 00:01:47,083
[laughs]
26
00:01:48,163 --> 00:01:49,203
[pants]
27
00:01:50,163 --> 00:01:53,323
The relationship
between Cleopatra and Mark Antony
28
00:01:53,323 --> 00:01:57,723
definitely begins
as a pragmatic political arrangement.
29
00:01:57,723 --> 00:02:00,603
But it seems to quickly develop
into something more
30
00:02:00,603 --> 00:02:03,323
where there really is love between them.
31
00:02:06,123 --> 00:02:10,003
While Mark Antony is in Alexandria,
he's having a great time there.
32
00:02:10,683 --> 00:02:14,522
But he's also gonna be uneasy
because in Rome,
33
00:02:14,522 --> 00:02:17,843
{\an8}there is an agreement now
that power is being shared.
34
00:02:17,843 --> 00:02:21,083
[Islam] Octavian pretty much
holds the West.
35
00:02:21,083 --> 00:02:23,323
Mark Antony, the East.
36
00:02:24,843 --> 00:02:26,083
[Islam] They both have ambitions
37
00:02:26,083 --> 00:02:28,523
to get the other person
out of the picture.
38
00:02:31,403 --> 00:02:33,563
[ominous music]
39
00:02:40,323 --> 00:02:41,483
Where have you gone to?
40
00:02:43,843 --> 00:02:44,883
I am here.
41
00:02:46,283 --> 00:02:47,523
[Mark Antony] Nothing is wrong.
42
00:02:48,883 --> 00:02:49,883
Don't do that.
43
00:02:50,803 --> 00:02:52,563
- [Mark Antony] Do what?
- Lie to me.
44
00:02:53,283 --> 00:02:54,203
I'm not.
45
00:02:55,723 --> 00:02:57,523
You can't share my bed and lie to me.
46
00:02:58,843 --> 00:03:00,883
[sighing]
47
00:03:02,123 --> 00:03:03,763
It's Octavian.
[sighs]
48
00:03:06,843 --> 00:03:09,443
There are rumors he's threatening
to break the alliances,
49
00:03:10,643 --> 00:03:12,003
making moves of his own.
50
00:03:12,843 --> 00:03:14,843
[ominous music]
51
00:03:16,563 --> 00:03:18,043
What sort of moves?
52
00:03:18,563 --> 00:03:19,843
It isn't clear yet.
53
00:03:21,523 --> 00:03:24,003
Then why are you waiting?
54
00:03:26,203 --> 00:03:29,483
Mark, you should be in Rome right now
finding out for yourself.
55
00:03:30,523 --> 00:03:32,163
I'll not give him the satisfaction.
56
00:03:34,003 --> 00:03:37,083
How dare he try to upset an alliance
that you made possible?
57
00:03:38,923 --> 00:03:41,363
No, Mark, you need to go back to Rome
58
00:03:41,363 --> 00:03:44,283
and put that little bird back in his cage
before he grows wings
59
00:03:44,283 --> 00:03:46,643
and tries to destroy
everything you've fought for.
60
00:03:50,883 --> 00:03:53,403
[instrumental music]
61
00:03:54,323 --> 00:03:57,003
[Shelley] Mark Antony stays away too long.
62
00:03:57,483 --> 00:03:59,763
He isn't doing Roman business.
63
00:03:59,763 --> 00:04:01,683
[soft upbeat music]
64
00:04:01,683 --> 00:04:05,243
{\an8}That leaves Octavian in Rome,
65
00:04:05,243 --> 00:04:08,403
{\an8}in the seat of power, close to the Senate.
66
00:04:08,403 --> 00:04:14,683
[Shelley] All they hear back in Rome
is about the extravagant banquets.
67
00:04:15,723 --> 00:04:17,723
[insects chirping]
68
00:04:19,083 --> 00:04:20,163
Go, my love.
69
00:04:23,363 --> 00:04:25,403
We will be here waiting for you...
70
00:04:26,283 --> 00:04:27,603
when you get back.
71
00:04:36,523 --> 00:04:37,443
[chuckles]
72
00:04:39,203 --> 00:04:41,363
[inhales deeply]
73
00:04:42,323 --> 00:04:43,923
[ominous music]
74
00:04:43,923 --> 00:04:48,043
[Shelley] Octavian is beginning
to undermine
75
00:04:48,043 --> 00:04:52,123
Mark Antony's reputation in Rome,
76
00:04:52,123 --> 00:04:57,243
hinting that the same thing that happened
to Julius Caesar with Cleopatra
77
00:04:57,243 --> 00:04:59,283
is now happening to him.
78
00:05:00,203 --> 00:05:02,283
[Shelley] Cleopatra persuades him.
79
00:05:02,283 --> 00:05:03,483
"Go back to Rome.
80
00:05:04,963 --> 00:05:07,963
Make sure Octavian is under your thumb
81
00:05:07,963 --> 00:05:09,803
instead of the other way around."
82
00:05:13,883 --> 00:05:16,523
- [rattling]
- [horses snort]
83
00:05:18,043 --> 00:05:21,803
When Mark Antony leaves Egypt
and goes back to Rome
84
00:05:21,803 --> 00:05:25,243
to repair his relationship with Octavian,
85
00:05:25,243 --> 00:05:26,883
Cleopatra is pregnant.
86
00:05:26,883 --> 00:05:29,043
[soft music]
87
00:05:29,043 --> 00:05:32,723
[Islam] Mark Antony may have been
infatuated with Cleopatra,
88
00:05:33,323 --> 00:05:34,683
but when it comes to marriage,
89
00:05:34,683 --> 00:05:37,643
he picks what he thinks
90
00:05:38,363 --> 00:05:42,123
is the most politically sound person.
91
00:05:42,123 --> 00:05:45,123
[soft music]
92
00:05:45,123 --> 00:05:48,083
[in Latin]
When you are Gaius, then I am Gaia.
93
00:05:49,163 --> 00:05:51,763
[in Latin]
When you are Gaius, then I am Gaia.
94
00:05:52,843 --> 00:05:59,803
Mark Antony marries
Octavian's sister, Octavia.
95
00:05:59,803 --> 00:06:03,203
[yelling]
96
00:06:03,203 --> 00:06:05,163
[Cleopatra yelling continues]
97
00:06:08,643 --> 00:06:10,883
[murmuring]
98
00:06:10,883 --> 00:06:13,043
[panting]
99
00:06:13,843 --> 00:06:17,483
[Islam] It's somebody
who's related directly to Octavian.
100
00:06:17,483 --> 00:06:21,363
It's someone who ensures, or so he thinks,
101
00:06:21,363 --> 00:06:24,243
that Octavian will be on his side.
102
00:06:24,243 --> 00:06:26,683
[applause]
103
00:06:28,003 --> 00:06:31,003
[crowd cheering]
104
00:06:31,483 --> 00:06:34,683
[yelling]
105
00:06:34,683 --> 00:06:38,363
[Debora] In ancient Egypt,
when she was having a child,
106
00:06:38,363 --> 00:06:41,123
that was considered
a very dangerous time for a woman.
107
00:06:41,123 --> 00:06:47,003
{\an8}Not only is she at risk
of losing the baby and losing her life,
108
00:06:47,003 --> 00:06:50,923
{\an8}but the country itself
is at risk of losing its ruler.
109
00:06:50,923 --> 00:06:55,123
[prolonged yelling]
No!
110
00:06:55,123 --> 00:06:56,963
- [laughter]
- [cries]
111
00:07:01,483 --> 00:07:03,563
[laughter]
112
00:07:03,563 --> 00:07:08,123
[Shelley] Cleopatra gives birth to twins.
113
00:07:10,643 --> 00:07:12,323
It was seen as something divine.
114
00:07:12,323 --> 00:07:15,763
It was seen as a gift from... from the gods.
115
00:07:15,763 --> 00:07:22,323
And it cemented Cleopatra's image as Isis.
116
00:07:22,323 --> 00:07:24,403
[dramatic music]
117
00:07:28,963 --> 00:07:35,963
Cleopatra knows the Roman tradition
of political marriages.
118
00:07:37,243 --> 00:07:40,803
She understands
why Mark Antony had to do this.
119
00:07:41,363 --> 00:07:43,963
[Sally-Ann] Mark Antony marries Octavia
for political reasons,
120
00:07:43,963 --> 00:07:47,283
to appease her brother Octavian.
121
00:07:48,083 --> 00:07:49,803
It's, again, a strategic move.
122
00:07:50,363 --> 00:07:51,443
[cries]
123
00:07:51,443 --> 00:07:55,323
In Cleopatra's mind, it's fine.
124
00:07:56,003 --> 00:07:59,323
Go ahead, take a Roman wife. Sure.
125
00:07:59,323 --> 00:08:01,723
But he doesn't come back for three years.
126
00:08:02,603 --> 00:08:04,843
What's that? What's that? Yeah.
127
00:08:04,843 --> 00:08:06,563
[Shelley] Caesar had a Roman wife.
128
00:08:06,563 --> 00:08:08,163
He still wrote to her,
129
00:08:08,683 --> 00:08:11,003
took an interest in their child.
130
00:08:12,323 --> 00:08:14,963
Mark Antony, not a word.
131
00:08:16,123 --> 00:08:16,963
Not a word.
132
00:08:16,963 --> 00:08:22,003
Even after Cleopatra delivers twins.
133
00:08:26,363 --> 00:08:28,643
Not a word.
134
00:08:28,643 --> 00:08:31,523
[horses neighing]
135
00:08:31,523 --> 00:08:33,803
Essentially, he ghosts her. He's gone.
136
00:08:33,803 --> 00:08:35,883
[dramatic music]
137
00:08:41,363 --> 00:08:43,443
[Islam] But during that time,
138
00:08:43,443 --> 00:08:47,082
Cleopatra turns Egypt's fortunes around.
139
00:08:50,363 --> 00:08:52,483
She's increased taxes a bit,
140
00:08:52,483 --> 00:08:54,003
but she's also increased exports.
141
00:08:54,003 --> 00:08:56,483
She's increased employment.
142
00:08:56,483 --> 00:09:02,883
And suddenly, Egypt's situation
is looking very prosperous.
143
00:09:04,563 --> 00:09:09,603
[Shelley] The sources on Rome
don't have any details about...
144
00:09:10,283 --> 00:09:14,523
what Cleopatra did during the three years.
145
00:09:14,523 --> 00:09:18,283
But from Arabic accounts,
Egypt was thriving.
146
00:09:19,043 --> 00:09:21,563
The economy was, like, booming.
147
00:09:22,643 --> 00:09:25,203
The people loved Cleopatra.
148
00:09:26,043 --> 00:09:29,003
She was seen as an effective leader.
149
00:09:29,003 --> 00:09:31,083
[crowd applauding]
150
00:09:39,843 --> 00:09:41,483
- [horse neighs]
- [fighting grunts]
151
00:09:41,483 --> 00:09:43,123
[soldiers yelling]
152
00:09:43,123 --> 00:09:44,323
[Colleen] During those three years
153
00:09:44,323 --> 00:09:47,363
that Mark Antony stays away
from Cleopatra,
154
00:09:47,363 --> 00:09:52,163
he's busy building an Eastern Empire
and waging war against Parthia,
155
00:09:53,283 --> 00:09:56,243
a major power
in what is now modern-day Iran.
156
00:09:56,243 --> 00:09:58,323
[tense music]
157
00:10:00,043 --> 00:10:04,603
[Jacquelyn] Mark Antony wants to be able
to gain control of the Parthians
158
00:10:04,603 --> 00:10:08,363
{\an8}because this will elevate
his own standing within the Roman Empire
159
00:10:08,363 --> 00:10:10,603
{\an8}and establish him
as a significant power player
160
00:10:10,603 --> 00:10:12,163
{\an8}in association with Octavian.
161
00:10:13,763 --> 00:10:16,723
[Jacquelyn] The Romans have been trying
to conquer the Parthians for a while
162
00:10:16,723 --> 00:10:18,083
and haven't been successful,
163
00:10:18,083 --> 00:10:20,803
and so, that would be
an important establishment for him.
164
00:10:22,043 --> 00:10:25,283
[Islam] He thought he was going to be
supported by Octavian,
165
00:10:25,283 --> 00:10:29,243
but Octavian doesn't really help him
in the way that Antony expected.
166
00:10:29,243 --> 00:10:30,683
He needs military support.
167
00:10:30,683 --> 00:10:31,963
He needs money.
168
00:10:32,643 --> 00:10:34,483
[Colleen] Mark Antony has the expectation
169
00:10:34,483 --> 00:10:38,083
that by marrying Octavia,
Octavian's sister,
170
00:10:38,083 --> 00:10:40,843
he's going to get
what he needs from Octavian
171
00:10:40,843 --> 00:10:42,723
for the Parthian campaign.
172
00:10:42,723 --> 00:10:46,043
However, Octavian only provides him
with two legions,
173
00:10:46,043 --> 00:10:49,083
and so he still requires more forces
174
00:10:49,083 --> 00:10:52,843
if he's going to have
a successful invasion of the East.
175
00:10:52,843 --> 00:10:55,603
[soldiers yelling]
176
00:10:56,523 --> 00:10:58,483
[Colleen] As conflict intensifies,
177
00:10:58,483 --> 00:11:03,043
Mark Antony knows
that now he needs to seek alliances,
178
00:11:03,043 --> 00:11:05,923
and Cleopatra has to be top on his list.
179
00:11:06,843 --> 00:11:08,683
[Islam] Mark Antony summons Cleopatra.
180
00:11:08,683 --> 00:11:10,243
He can't rely on Octavian,
181
00:11:11,123 --> 00:11:15,363
and he's realized
that he does need Cleopatra.
182
00:11:21,683 --> 00:11:24,563
[Colleen]
After Mark Antony summons Cleopatra,
183
00:11:24,563 --> 00:11:27,683
she travels to Antioch in Syria.
184
00:11:32,323 --> 00:11:33,763
[Islam] At this stage,
185
00:11:33,763 --> 00:11:35,763
Cleopatra does have the upper hand,
186
00:11:35,763 --> 00:11:38,443
and she's the one who can make demands.
187
00:11:38,443 --> 00:11:40,523
[wind gusting]
188
00:11:42,323 --> 00:11:45,123
[Islam]
She wants old Ptolemaic territories,
189
00:11:45,123 --> 00:11:46,363
and she wants to ensure
190
00:11:46,363 --> 00:11:48,963
that these territories
can return to her kingdom.
191
00:11:48,963 --> 00:11:51,723
Those territories being Cyprus
and Crete, especially.
192
00:11:55,763 --> 00:11:58,803
[tense music]
193
00:12:09,923 --> 00:12:11,003
Please clear the room.
194
00:12:20,323 --> 00:12:21,883
- Cleopatra--
- No.
195
00:12:22,523 --> 00:12:24,283
You don't get to explain.
196
00:12:24,283 --> 00:12:26,163
You had three years.
197
00:12:26,883 --> 00:12:27,963
Not a word.
198
00:12:28,603 --> 00:12:29,763
Not to me
199
00:12:29,763 --> 00:12:31,243
or the children.
200
00:12:31,843 --> 00:12:33,803
The children, did you bring them?
201
00:12:34,443 --> 00:12:35,523
[scoffs]
202
00:12:36,003 --> 00:12:37,243
Did I bring them?
203
00:12:41,243 --> 00:12:42,323
To you?
204
00:12:43,603 --> 00:12:45,443
I know the reason you summoned me here.
205
00:12:48,403 --> 00:12:49,403
I know...
206
00:12:50,603 --> 00:12:52,803
about your sorry little dance
with Octavian.
207
00:12:54,043 --> 00:12:55,883
I have spies of my own.
208
00:12:59,643 --> 00:13:01,243
I know you need my help.
209
00:13:04,883 --> 00:13:06,363
Why should I give it to you?
210
00:13:09,963 --> 00:13:11,043
[Mark Antony] You're right.
211
00:13:12,843 --> 00:13:14,083
You're absolutely right.
212
00:13:21,163 --> 00:13:24,043
What we're seeing
are two power players coming together
213
00:13:24,043 --> 00:13:27,883
to try to figure out how to best promote,
214
00:13:27,883 --> 00:13:30,683
uh, each other's mutual interests.
215
00:13:30,683 --> 00:13:33,323
And so Mark Antony needs Cleopatra
216
00:13:33,323 --> 00:13:38,043
for his ongoing structuring
of the Eastern Roman Empire.
217
00:13:38,043 --> 00:13:39,923
He doesn't have enough men.
218
00:13:39,923 --> 00:13:41,563
He doesn't have enough supplies.
219
00:13:41,563 --> 00:13:45,003
She needs him
for her associations with Rome.
220
00:13:46,843 --> 00:13:49,003
[Shelley] She gives him a list of demands.
221
00:13:50,923 --> 00:13:52,923
And it's basically,
222
00:13:52,923 --> 00:13:58,323
"I want everything back
that Julius Caesar took away."
223
00:13:58,323 --> 00:14:03,203
[Shelley] She wants Mark Antony
to claim the twins as his
224
00:14:03,203 --> 00:14:07,923
and also be given territories
to be in charge of.
225
00:14:09,683 --> 00:14:15,243
And also Caesarion, she wants recognized
as the son of Julius Caesar.
226
00:14:15,243 --> 00:14:16,403
That's still important.
227
00:14:16,403 --> 00:14:18,243
[insects chirping]
228
00:14:21,323 --> 00:14:22,483
[Cleopatra] I want it.
229
00:14:24,323 --> 00:14:25,643
I want it all.
230
00:14:27,803 --> 00:14:31,203
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
spend an entire winter
231
00:14:31,203 --> 00:14:34,723
in Antioch, Syria, negotiating.
232
00:14:34,723 --> 00:14:36,243
What Cleopatra wants
233
00:14:36,243 --> 00:14:39,523
is to restore the glory
of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
234
00:14:41,283 --> 00:14:42,883
So, I thought about your demands,
235
00:14:43,563 --> 00:14:45,283
about everything you want.
236
00:14:46,483 --> 00:14:47,923
Everything I deserve.
237
00:14:48,643 --> 00:14:50,203
Everything Egypt deserves.
238
00:14:50,203 --> 00:14:52,123
Well, it's still an enormous price.
239
00:14:52,123 --> 00:14:54,803
For an enormous ask
which only Egypt can provide.
240
00:14:54,803 --> 00:14:56,963
I'm not here to argue with you, Pharoah.
241
00:14:57,523 --> 00:14:58,603
Why are you here then?
242
00:14:59,283 --> 00:15:00,763
Why am I here?
243
00:15:00,763 --> 00:15:02,403
[sighs]
244
00:15:03,643 --> 00:15:04,883
[breathes deeply]
245
00:15:06,323 --> 00:15:07,283
[sighs]
246
00:15:09,123 --> 00:15:10,323
I'm here because you win.
247
00:15:13,283 --> 00:15:14,443
I win what?
248
00:15:16,123 --> 00:15:17,203
Everything.
249
00:15:19,763 --> 00:15:20,843
Why?
250
00:15:21,843 --> 00:15:22,883
Because of us.
251
00:15:26,123 --> 00:15:28,483
Can I really trust you?
252
00:15:29,163 --> 00:15:31,603
I can't share your bed
and lie to you, now can I?
253
00:15:33,563 --> 00:15:34,723
Your rules.
254
00:15:39,843 --> 00:15:42,243
This means that Cleopatra
is more powerful than ever.
255
00:15:42,803 --> 00:15:46,523
{\an8}She's now restored
the Ptolemaic Kingdom to its former glory.
256
00:15:46,523 --> 00:15:51,323
{\an8}And in return, Mark Antony
gets the military manpower that he needs
257
00:15:51,323 --> 00:15:53,003
{\an8}for his Parthian campaign.
258
00:15:54,123 --> 00:15:58,283
[Jacquelyn] Egypt regaining control
of these territories
259
00:15:58,283 --> 00:16:03,283
allowed Egypt to prosper
in truly remarkable ways.
260
00:16:03,283 --> 00:16:07,123
The more a nation owns land,
261
00:16:07,123 --> 00:16:11,603
the wealthier the core
of that empire becomes.
262
00:16:11,603 --> 00:16:15,643
So, these lands would have added
substantial power, wealth,
263
00:16:15,643 --> 00:16:17,963
and security to Cleopatra,
264
00:16:17,963 --> 00:16:22,043
which are key elements
that she always wants,
265
00:16:22,043 --> 00:16:25,083
that every Ptolemaic King wants.
266
00:16:25,803 --> 00:16:27,923
[birds chirping]
267
00:16:29,003 --> 00:16:31,003
[Shelley] And it's at this point,
268
00:16:31,003 --> 00:16:34,443
Mark Antony meets for the first time
269
00:16:34,443 --> 00:16:37,043
his children by Cleopatra.
270
00:16:39,363 --> 00:16:41,883
My little god. Hello.
271
00:16:42,883 --> 00:16:44,163
Hello to you.
272
00:16:44,163 --> 00:16:46,603
- Are you gonna come here too?
- Yeah. That's it.
273
00:16:46,603 --> 00:16:49,523
[Mark Antony] My perfect little gods.
Look at you both.
274
00:16:49,523 --> 00:16:51,003
Look at you both.
275
00:16:54,163 --> 00:16:55,643
[Shelley] And from all accounts,
276
00:16:55,643 --> 00:16:59,043
he is absolutely besotted with them.
277
00:16:59,043 --> 00:17:00,043
[gasps]
278
00:17:00,043 --> 00:17:04,483
[Colleen] He does name his twins
the Sun and the Moon.
279
00:17:04,483 --> 00:17:07,683
Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene.
280
00:17:07,683 --> 00:17:09,402
[laughter]
281
00:17:09,402 --> 00:17:13,203
Mark Antony and Cleopatra
are elevating their children
282
00:17:13,203 --> 00:17:16,882
to, literally, the sun and moon
in the heavens.
283
00:17:16,882 --> 00:17:19,603
They are setting them up
to be the inheritors
284
00:17:19,603 --> 00:17:21,723
of a massive Eastern Empire
285
00:17:21,723 --> 00:17:25,243
that Mark Antony and Cleopatra
are creating together.
286
00:17:25,243 --> 00:17:27,882
We bow too. Yes.
287
00:17:28,723 --> 00:17:29,923
- My lord.
- Aw.
288
00:17:29,923 --> 00:17:33,323
[Colleen] Although Mark Antony
is preparing to invade Parthia,
289
00:17:33,323 --> 00:17:36,043
these are months
where Mark Antony and Cleopatra
290
00:17:36,043 --> 00:17:40,563
have a chance to rekindle their romance
and time together as a family.
291
00:17:40,563 --> 00:17:43,443
And she becomes pregnant
with their third child.
292
00:17:45,523 --> 00:17:47,003
Then life got in the way.
293
00:17:47,003 --> 00:17:49,683
And life for them
is kind of, like, very serious.
294
00:17:49,683 --> 00:17:51,923
Politics, strategy, wars,
295
00:17:51,923 --> 00:17:55,043
trying to stop the Parthians
from, uh, invading his territory.
296
00:17:55,603 --> 00:17:58,963
[soldiers yelling]
297
00:18:04,083 --> 00:18:06,603
[soldiers continues yelling]
298
00:18:14,003 --> 00:18:16,283
[Colleen] Despite Cleopatra's
financial support,
299
00:18:16,283 --> 00:18:19,243
Mark Antony's Parthian invasion fails.
300
00:18:19,803 --> 00:18:25,043
Much of this is because his former ally,
the King of Armenia, betrays him.
301
00:18:25,043 --> 00:18:26,203
[soldiers yell]
302
00:18:26,203 --> 00:18:30,203
[Islam] The Parthians
essentially defeat Mark Antony.
303
00:18:30,203 --> 00:18:33,243
It's... it's a disastrous campaign
for Mark Antony.
304
00:18:33,243 --> 00:18:35,403
He loses thousands of men.
305
00:18:35,403 --> 00:18:38,203
Huge damage to his supplies.
306
00:18:38,963 --> 00:18:42,043
And it's a perfect opportunity
for Octavian to make use of that.
307
00:18:42,043 --> 00:18:43,803
But now he has this tangible evidence
308
00:18:43,803 --> 00:18:46,803
that Mark Antony
is an inefficient commander.
309
00:18:46,803 --> 00:18:49,523
[tense music]
310
00:18:55,563 --> 00:18:57,763
[Colleen] At this point,
Cleopatra is back in Egypt.
311
00:18:57,763 --> 00:19:01,043
She's not able to accompany
Mark Antony on the campaign
312
00:19:01,043 --> 00:19:04,203
because she's giving birth
to their third child together...
313
00:19:04,203 --> 00:19:06,083
- [crying]
- ...Ptolemy.
314
00:19:06,083 --> 00:19:07,603
[baby Ptolemy coos]
315
00:19:10,203 --> 00:19:12,483
- [Charmion clears throat]
- What?
316
00:19:13,763 --> 00:19:16,883
His campaign is not going
exactly according to plan.
317
00:19:18,323 --> 00:19:21,803
And Octavian grows in confidence
with each of Antony's defeats.
318
00:19:22,363 --> 00:19:25,163
And this last battle, Antony is...
319
00:19:28,523 --> 00:19:30,283
It annoys me when you stop like that.
320
00:19:30,283 --> 00:19:32,683
Pharaoh, right now, these are just rumors.
321
00:19:32,683 --> 00:19:35,083
[Charmion] We should know more
from our trusted official channels soon.
322
00:19:35,083 --> 00:19:36,043
How soon?
323
00:19:36,043 --> 00:19:37,403
In a few weeks or--
324
00:19:37,403 --> 00:19:38,643
That isn't good enough.
325
00:19:39,363 --> 00:19:40,563
If we're hearing these rumors,
326
00:19:40,563 --> 00:19:42,523
you can be sure Octavian
is hearing them as well.
327
00:19:42,523 --> 00:19:44,523
[Charmion]
I will push for a faster response.
328
00:19:44,523 --> 00:19:45,523
Hm.
329
00:19:46,603 --> 00:19:48,603
[Charmion] In the interim,
how else would you like to proceed?
330
00:19:50,163 --> 00:19:51,883
Find out where Antony is.
331
00:19:52,843 --> 00:19:55,243
[tense music]
332
00:19:57,523 --> 00:20:00,923
Cleopatra is concerned
about Mark Antony's losses,
333
00:20:00,923 --> 00:20:04,283
and so she goes to visit him
in Antioch, Syria,
334
00:20:04,283 --> 00:20:06,883
where he has retreated with his troops.
335
00:20:06,883 --> 00:20:09,963
[ominous music]
336
00:20:15,523 --> 00:20:17,123
[breathing heavily]
337
00:20:17,123 --> 00:20:19,963
I said do not disturb me!
338
00:20:19,963 --> 00:20:20,923
[yells]
339
00:20:20,923 --> 00:20:22,003
[clatters]
340
00:20:26,403 --> 00:20:27,643
Cleopatra.
341
00:20:29,763 --> 00:20:31,523
[shaky breathing]
342
00:20:33,963 --> 00:20:35,043
[exhales]
343
00:20:36,603 --> 00:20:37,963
Nothing is working.
344
00:20:38,683 --> 00:20:40,483
[breathing heavily]
345
00:20:40,483 --> 00:20:43,163
That hairless little prick
is trumping my every move, all of them.
346
00:20:43,963 --> 00:20:45,723
Then make new moves.
347
00:20:45,723 --> 00:20:47,923
I have. A dozen times.
348
00:20:48,563 --> 00:20:50,603
[inhales sharply]
It's as if he can read my mind.
349
00:20:50,603 --> 00:20:52,603
[breathing heavily]
350
00:20:52,603 --> 00:20:53,683
[Cleopatra] Enough.
351
00:20:59,323 --> 00:21:01,323
No matter what I do, he is there.
352
00:21:10,283 --> 00:21:12,363
How could he possibly read your mind?
353
00:21:14,483 --> 00:21:16,443
Have you forgotten who you are?
354
00:21:19,203 --> 00:21:22,163
{\an8}You are a better man
than Octavian will ever be.
355
00:21:23,643 --> 00:21:26,723
You're stronger. You are a better soldier.
356
00:21:26,723 --> 00:21:27,963
A better fighter.
357
00:21:28,563 --> 00:21:29,803
And you can do it.
358
00:21:31,203 --> 00:21:33,083
You have all of Egypt behind you.
359
00:21:34,603 --> 00:21:36,003
You must go out there...
360
00:21:37,123 --> 00:21:40,283
and act like you know what you are.
361
00:21:43,043 --> 00:21:45,043
What am I, Cleopatra? What am I?
362
00:21:46,203 --> 00:21:48,043
You are a warrior.
363
00:21:48,043 --> 00:21:50,083
You are my warrior.
364
00:21:51,323 --> 00:21:52,603
[breathing heavily]
365
00:21:52,603 --> 00:21:54,643
- Remember that.
- Yes.
366
00:21:54,643 --> 00:21:55,963
- Okay?
- Yes.
367
00:21:55,963 --> 00:21:57,043
Okay.
368
00:21:58,803 --> 00:22:01,043
Act like you know you've already won.
369
00:22:01,043 --> 00:22:02,163
I already won.
370
00:22:02,843 --> 00:22:03,923
I won.
371
00:22:04,563 --> 00:22:05,643
And I love you.
372
00:22:08,043 --> 00:22:12,043
[Islam] Cleopatra is in quite deep now
with Mark Antony.
373
00:22:12,043 --> 00:22:15,323
Also, three kids involved.
374
00:22:15,323 --> 00:22:21,683
And Mark Antony
has not just promised her support,
375
00:22:21,683 --> 00:22:24,123
he's also promised
to take care of her kids
376
00:22:24,123 --> 00:22:28,003
by giving them different territories
around the region.
377
00:22:28,963 --> 00:22:31,963
[Islam] Mark Antony needs
her financial support.
378
00:22:32,683 --> 00:22:36,363
Cleopatra is the one calling the shots.
379
00:22:37,243 --> 00:22:40,723
To cement their relationship
380
00:22:40,723 --> 00:22:47,483
and to... give it a divine validity,
381
00:22:49,443 --> 00:22:52,883
Cleopatra marries Mark Antony.
382
00:22:54,763 --> 00:22:58,123
[dramatic music]
383
00:22:59,323 --> 00:23:03,763
[Colleen] Mark Antony's marriage
to Cleopatra is frowned upon in Rome.
384
00:23:03,763 --> 00:23:08,123
He is already married to Octavia,
Octavian's sister.
385
00:23:08,763 --> 00:23:11,043
In Egypt, it's a different story.
386
00:23:11,043 --> 00:23:13,243
Kings often had multiple wives,
387
00:23:13,243 --> 00:23:17,603
and Cleopatra is only married
to one person at this point in time.
388
00:23:17,603 --> 00:23:19,043
Mark Antony.
389
00:23:20,123 --> 00:23:22,123
[ominous music]
390
00:23:24,963 --> 00:23:28,963
There's a big ceremony
that follows the marriage.
391
00:23:28,963 --> 00:23:31,523
[Shelley] The Donations of Alexandria.
392
00:23:31,523 --> 00:23:34,163
[crowd cheering]
393
00:23:34,883 --> 00:23:37,403
[crowd whistling]
394
00:23:41,163 --> 00:23:43,003
Your Isis greets you.
395
00:23:45,563 --> 00:23:48,443
I pity enemies of Egypt.
396
00:23:49,403 --> 00:23:53,963
I pity them more
when Egypt and Rome are united.
397
00:23:56,003 --> 00:24:00,323
{\an8}These vipers underestimate
our divine union,
398
00:24:00,323 --> 00:24:01,803
our wisdom,
399
00:24:03,483 --> 00:24:04,763
our wealth,
400
00:24:05,723 --> 00:24:06,843
our numbers,
401
00:24:07,563 --> 00:24:10,123
the favor of our gods.
402
00:24:10,123 --> 00:24:13,123
[crowd cheering]
403
00:24:16,643 --> 00:24:18,803
Today, I stand here.
404
00:24:21,043 --> 00:24:24,203
We stand here before you
405
00:24:25,283 --> 00:24:28,323
with our divine future thriving before us.
406
00:24:30,003 --> 00:24:31,963
[Sally-Ann]
The ceremony was extremely lavish.
407
00:24:31,963 --> 00:24:33,843
We have the children dressed in costume,
408
00:24:33,843 --> 00:24:36,363
we have Cleopatra dressed as Isis.
409
00:24:36,363 --> 00:24:41,643
{\an8}And Mark Antony is essentially giving
the territories of Rome to the family.
410
00:24:41,643 --> 00:24:43,243
And I promise you,
411
00:24:44,123 --> 00:24:48,883
anyone who dares
to threaten our divine union
412
00:24:49,923 --> 00:24:52,483
will regret the day they were born!
413
00:24:52,483 --> 00:24:56,163
[crowd cheering]
414
00:25:03,643 --> 00:25:06,083
At the Donation of Alexandria,
415
00:25:06,083 --> 00:25:08,083
Mark Antony stands up and proclaims
416
00:25:08,083 --> 00:25:11,603
that Caesarion
is, is Julius Caesar's heir.
417
00:25:13,123 --> 00:25:17,643
[Shelley] Mark Antony formally hands over
418
00:25:17,643 --> 00:25:21,523
all of the territories
that Cleopatra wanted.
419
00:25:21,523 --> 00:25:23,603
[Colleen] The Donations of Alexandria
420
00:25:23,603 --> 00:25:29,003
not only recreate the Ptolemaic Empire
at its greatest extent,
421
00:25:29,003 --> 00:25:31,363
but it actually gives to Egypt
422
00:25:32,043 --> 00:25:37,563
more territory than the Ptolemaic Empire
had ever controlled before.
423
00:25:37,563 --> 00:25:40,803
[crowd cheering]
424
00:25:46,883 --> 00:25:49,283
{\an8}In addition to giving away
the Roman territories, um,
425
00:25:49,283 --> 00:25:52,803
Mark Antony now divorces, um,
Octavian's sister.
426
00:25:52,803 --> 00:25:54,603
So, to add insult to injury,
427
00:25:54,603 --> 00:25:58,563
uh, Mark Antony almost seems
as if he's cutting his ties with Rome.
428
00:25:58,563 --> 00:26:01,963
You know that emoji
where the head explodes?
429
00:26:01,963 --> 00:26:02,963
[shaky exhale]
430
00:26:02,963 --> 00:26:08,123
[Shelley] That's Octavian when he hears
about the Donations of Alexandria.
431
00:26:08,723 --> 00:26:11,203
"What is Mark Antony doing?
432
00:26:13,163 --> 00:26:14,963
He's lost his mind.
433
00:26:16,283 --> 00:26:18,803
He doesn't have the power to do this."
434
00:26:20,923 --> 00:26:26,603
But at the same time, this gives Octavian
the perfect piece of propaganda.
435
00:26:26,603 --> 00:26:30,363
Look at Mark Antony
behaving like an eastern king.
436
00:26:30,363 --> 00:26:35,243
Look at Mark Antony not acting the part
of a true and proper Roman.
437
00:26:35,243 --> 00:26:40,883
It's very easy then for Octavian
to cast the Donations of Alexandria
438
00:26:40,883 --> 00:26:43,163
as an anti-Roman plot.
439
00:26:44,003 --> 00:26:46,003
[dark tense music]
440
00:26:47,283 --> 00:26:52,203
Mark Antony gives Octavian
the excuse for war.
441
00:26:53,323 --> 00:26:55,643
But not against Mark Antony
442
00:26:56,603 --> 00:27:01,803
because the Roman people
cannot endure another civil war.
443
00:27:02,643 --> 00:27:04,403
[Shelley] Who's the scapegoat then?
444
00:27:06,443 --> 00:27:07,723
Cleopatra.
445
00:27:08,203 --> 00:27:11,563
"It's that witch."
446
00:27:12,043 --> 00:27:13,603
And that's the beginning.
447
00:27:13,603 --> 00:27:17,563
That's the beginning of the propaganda
448
00:27:18,643 --> 00:27:21,883
against Cleopatra by Octavian.
449
00:27:21,883 --> 00:27:25,883
And it's the beginning of the unraveling
450
00:27:25,883 --> 00:27:29,163
of Mark Antony's reputation in Rome.
451
00:27:30,643 --> 00:27:32,643
[ominous music]
452
00:27:39,203 --> 00:27:40,603
- Mm.
- [laughs]
453
00:27:42,283 --> 00:27:43,363
So...
454
00:27:43,363 --> 00:27:44,643
[kisses]
455
00:27:44,643 --> 00:27:48,003
...Octavian thinks you've bewitched me...
456
00:27:51,683 --> 00:27:54,403
and put all of Rome in danger.
457
00:27:55,163 --> 00:27:56,043
Hm.
458
00:27:57,923 --> 00:27:58,883
Good.
459
00:28:00,803 --> 00:28:05,083
Octavian is very angry and offended.
460
00:28:05,083 --> 00:28:10,123
He's released
this vicious propaganda against Cleopatra.
461
00:28:10,123 --> 00:28:16,563
So, even though Mark Antony was the one
who was unfaithful to his sister,
462
00:28:16,563 --> 00:28:20,483
uh, Cleopatra is framed
as this great seductress,
463
00:28:20,483 --> 00:28:23,763
and she's done these,
these things to trap him.
464
00:28:23,763 --> 00:28:28,163
Little angry men often make big mistakes.
465
00:28:29,363 --> 00:28:33,603
Octavian's mistake
is how much he underestimates us.
466
00:28:35,563 --> 00:28:37,443
I think we should destroy him.
467
00:28:42,403 --> 00:28:43,323
Hm.
468
00:28:47,483 --> 00:28:49,243
[both breathe heavily]
469
00:28:51,843 --> 00:28:54,563
At this particular point, um...
470
00:28:55,723 --> 00:28:58,683
Octavian has declared war on Cleopatra.
471
00:28:58,683 --> 00:29:02,123
{\an8}[suspenseful music]
472
00:29:05,523 --> 00:29:07,283
[Colleen] In 31 BCE,
473
00:29:07,283 --> 00:29:14,043
Cleopatra and Mark Antony go head-to-head
in all-out naval warfare with Octavian
474
00:29:14,043 --> 00:29:16,683
in what is known as the Battle of Actium.
475
00:29:16,683 --> 00:29:19,443
{\an8}[thrilling music]
476
00:29:19,443 --> 00:29:22,763
{\an8}[Colleen] This is the climax
of a decade of rivalry.
477
00:29:24,203 --> 00:29:26,603
[tense music]
478
00:29:26,603 --> 00:29:28,963
[soldiers grunting]
479
00:29:30,403 --> 00:29:35,483
[Islam] She goes with many ships,
thousands of soldiers,
480
00:29:35,483 --> 00:29:37,883
and they head towards Greece.
481
00:29:40,843 --> 00:29:45,643
Cleopatra is very actively involved
in military life.
482
00:29:46,123 --> 00:29:48,603
She wants to know the details,
483
00:29:48,603 --> 00:29:51,563
she wants to know the tactics,
she wants to play a part in them.
484
00:29:51,563 --> 00:29:55,083
And she... she's not a leader
who's in the palace.
485
00:29:55,083 --> 00:29:57,483
She's very much on the front line.
486
00:29:57,483 --> 00:29:59,563
[tense music]
487
00:30:05,523 --> 00:30:08,963
[Islam] This is gonna be a showdown
that's gonna change
488
00:30:08,963 --> 00:30:11,043
the history of Rome
489
00:30:11,043 --> 00:30:13,283
and change the history of Egypt.
490
00:30:16,763 --> 00:30:21,043
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
plan their naval strategy together.
491
00:30:21,043 --> 00:30:26,883
She's supplying 200 of their 800 ships
and nearly all of the financing.
492
00:30:26,883 --> 00:30:30,603
But this doesn't sit well
with all of Antony's generals,
493
00:30:30,603 --> 00:30:34,123
some of whom don't want
to take orders from a woman.
494
00:30:34,123 --> 00:30:35,883
[officer] With all due respect,
495
00:30:35,883 --> 00:30:38,683
our allegiance is to the General, not a--
496
00:30:38,683 --> 00:30:41,243
You will do well to remember
what I bring to the table.
497
00:30:41,243 --> 00:30:43,483
- Oh, you dare to talk to me like--
- Enough!
498
00:30:45,123 --> 00:30:47,443
- What she suggests goes against--
- She?
499
00:30:50,443 --> 00:30:52,483
What I think you meant to say was,
500
00:30:53,043 --> 00:30:54,403
"Thank you, Isis,
501
00:30:55,043 --> 00:30:58,603
for providing us with the world's
most invincible naval fleet,
502
00:30:58,603 --> 00:31:00,483
which we will deploy immediately,
503
00:31:00,483 --> 00:31:03,523
with a force so mighty
that Octavian won't know what's hit him."
504
00:31:05,203 --> 00:31:06,123
Am I correct?
505
00:31:06,123 --> 00:31:07,763
Yes, General.
506
00:31:15,803 --> 00:31:17,123
Thank you.
507
00:31:18,363 --> 00:31:19,523
But I had it.
508
00:31:22,763 --> 00:31:24,963
Mark Antony's Roman allies
509
00:31:24,963 --> 00:31:28,363
become increasingly suspicious
of Cleopatra.
510
00:31:28,363 --> 00:31:30,763
She represents an absolute monarchy.
511
00:31:30,763 --> 00:31:33,563
She represents an eastern empire.
512
00:31:33,563 --> 00:31:36,043
And she's a woman.
513
00:31:36,683 --> 00:31:41,443
[Colleen] Mark Antony needs to be
a strong Roman general,
514
00:31:41,443 --> 00:31:46,163
and his alliance with Cleopatra
threatens that identity
515
00:31:46,163 --> 00:31:48,563
in the eyes of his Roman allies.
516
00:31:48,563 --> 00:31:52,763
They are worried that he is acting less
like a Roman general
517
00:31:52,763 --> 00:31:55,243
and more like an eastern king.
518
00:31:55,243 --> 00:31:56,763
And because of that,
519
00:31:56,763 --> 00:32:02,683
many of Mark Antony's commanders defect
and join Octavian's army.
520
00:32:02,683 --> 00:32:05,443
[dramatic music]
521
00:32:05,443 --> 00:32:06,683
{\an8}[Colleen] Once the battle begins,
522
00:32:06,683 --> 00:32:10,443
{\an8}Mark Antony and Cleopatra
are on separate ships.
523
00:32:10,443 --> 00:32:14,603
{\an8}Mark Antony leading the fleet at the front
and Cleopatra behind.
524
00:32:17,523 --> 00:32:19,483
On the morning of September 2nd,
525
00:32:19,483 --> 00:32:24,603
Mark Antony and Cleopatra attempt
to punch through the blockade
526
00:32:24,603 --> 00:32:28,203
that Octavian has at the Bay of Actium.
527
00:32:28,203 --> 00:32:33,243
Now, Mark Antony and Cleopatra combined
have fewer ships than Octavian.
528
00:32:33,243 --> 00:32:36,803
The other major difference
between the two navies
529
00:32:36,803 --> 00:32:39,923
is that Mark Antony's ships
are much larger.
530
00:32:39,923 --> 00:32:41,723
They have more firepower,
531
00:32:41,723 --> 00:32:47,123
but they also are way less maneuverable
than Octavian's lighter ships.
532
00:32:51,683 --> 00:32:53,923
[Jacquelyn]
Cleopatra and Mark Antony both made
533
00:32:53,923 --> 00:32:58,003
a series of problematic battle decisions,
534
00:32:58,003 --> 00:32:59,923
which is sort of surprising,
535
00:32:59,923 --> 00:33:02,563
due to the fact
that they're both pretty savvy.
536
00:33:02,563 --> 00:33:05,083
But they strung out their fleet, uh,
537
00:33:05,083 --> 00:33:08,963
and allowed themselves to become trapped.
538
00:33:09,963 --> 00:33:13,083
Octavian's lighter
and more maneuverable ships
539
00:33:13,083 --> 00:33:18,283
managed to nearly surround the forces
of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
540
00:33:21,443 --> 00:33:24,963
[Sally-Ann] We're told by the Roman
sources that Cleopatra,
541
00:33:24,963 --> 00:33:28,283
when she realized
that Mark Antony was being defeated,
542
00:33:28,283 --> 00:33:31,923
turned her ships around
and decided to sail back to Alexandria.
543
00:33:32,643 --> 00:33:34,163
[Cleopatra] Row!
544
00:33:34,923 --> 00:33:38,003
Row! Faster! Harder!
545
00:33:38,003 --> 00:33:40,043
[Cleopatra] Row!
546
00:33:40,043 --> 00:33:41,603
[Sally-Ann]
She doesn't want to be captured.
547
00:33:41,603 --> 00:33:44,043
There would have been no point
at all in her staying
548
00:33:44,043 --> 00:33:46,283
in a battle
that they were effectively losing.
549
00:33:48,323 --> 00:33:52,643
Her primary goal remains
the safety of her own kingdom.
550
00:33:52,643 --> 00:33:54,443
The safety of Egypt.
551
00:33:54,443 --> 00:33:58,483
[Colleen] She has no choice
but to try to make it back to Egypt
552
00:33:58,483 --> 00:34:01,443
with as many of her ships as possible.
553
00:34:02,803 --> 00:34:07,083
If she loses all of her navy
at the Battle of Actium,
554
00:34:07,083 --> 00:34:08,803
Egypt will be defenseless.
555
00:34:14,163 --> 00:34:15,403
Her ships' gone.
556
00:34:16,443 --> 00:34:18,363
General, all of them.
557
00:34:20,682 --> 00:34:21,682
She did what?
558
00:34:22,242 --> 00:34:24,722
It's easy to see
from the Roman perspective
559
00:34:24,722 --> 00:34:26,883
that Cleopatra taking her fleet
560
00:34:26,883 --> 00:34:30,282
and leaving Actium is an act of treachery.
561
00:34:31,923 --> 00:34:33,803
What did you do? Did you try to stop her?
562
00:34:35,163 --> 00:34:36,883
- No.
- Did you try to stop her?
563
00:34:39,843 --> 00:34:44,282
It might have actually been
the best decision even for Mark Antony,
564
00:34:44,282 --> 00:34:48,443
at least keeping part of the Navy intact
565
00:34:48,443 --> 00:34:51,483
in order to fight Octavian another day.
566
00:34:52,123 --> 00:34:55,963
[Colleen] Mark Antony,
knowing the battle is all but lost,
567
00:34:55,963 --> 00:35:00,643
flees and manages to catch up
to Cleopatra's fleet.
568
00:35:00,643 --> 00:35:03,563
[thunder crackling]
569
00:35:06,163 --> 00:35:07,243
What have you done?
570
00:35:07,243 --> 00:35:09,283
- I couldn't risk my fleets.
- Ours!
571
00:35:10,443 --> 00:35:11,843
And you should have asked me first.
572
00:35:11,843 --> 00:35:13,643
I'm the General, not you.
573
00:35:14,803 --> 00:35:16,403
Useless without my army.
574
00:35:19,963 --> 00:35:22,043
How dare you?
575
00:35:22,643 --> 00:35:25,963
Mark Antony is the commander
of the forces,
576
00:35:25,963 --> 00:35:28,683
so he is the one
that's going to make the final decision.
577
00:35:28,683 --> 00:35:31,483
But it is interesting
that when things go wrong,
578
00:35:31,483 --> 00:35:34,003
Cleopatra is the one that gets the blame.
579
00:35:35,123 --> 00:35:37,803
If you're going to give me an army,
let me govern it.
580
00:35:37,803 --> 00:35:39,483
It was the right decision.
581
00:35:40,043 --> 00:35:41,683
But you cut me out.
582
00:35:43,003 --> 00:35:44,443
I did what I had to do.
583
00:35:45,043 --> 00:35:46,843
But you did it without asking me.
584
00:35:46,843 --> 00:35:50,963
I did what I had to do
to protect what is mine.
585
00:35:50,963 --> 00:35:52,603
Ours, Cleopatra!
586
00:35:52,603 --> 00:35:55,123
Not yours! Ours!
587
00:35:58,163 --> 00:36:02,123
It's not something that your average Roman
would have done at the point of a battle.
588
00:36:02,123 --> 00:36:05,803
Um, but actually, Cleopatra's thinking
about herself and her own power.
589
00:36:05,803 --> 00:36:08,083
She's putting herself
and her family first.
590
00:36:08,083 --> 00:36:10,123
Who do you think you are, Cleopatra?
591
00:36:10,123 --> 00:36:12,203
The Pharoah! That is who!
592
00:36:13,083 --> 00:36:15,123
Watch who you are speaking to.
593
00:36:15,123 --> 00:36:17,723
[breathing shakily]
594
00:36:19,683 --> 00:36:21,803
[Mark Antony]
They can hear all of this up there.
595
00:36:21,803 --> 00:36:24,763
My men, my loyal men are laughing at me.
596
00:36:25,323 --> 00:36:28,123
I'm not responsible for you
and how you feel.
597
00:36:29,443 --> 00:36:32,003
I made a decision and I stand by it.
598
00:36:33,403 --> 00:36:34,723
All I want...
599
00:36:36,523 --> 00:36:37,723
is your trust.
600
00:36:40,643 --> 00:36:45,603
The Battle of Actium is a disaster
for Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
601
00:36:45,603 --> 00:36:51,363
They have lost their one opportunity
to meet and beat Octavian
602
00:36:51,363 --> 00:36:53,323
outside of Egypt's borders.
603
00:36:53,323 --> 00:36:56,723
Now they have no choice
but to fall back to Egypt
604
00:36:56,723 --> 00:36:59,763
and simply defend their territory.
605
00:37:05,963 --> 00:37:09,003
[Islam] Octavian, with this victory,
606
00:37:09,003 --> 00:37:13,363
he's proven his power against Mark Antony,
607
00:37:13,363 --> 00:37:15,523
against the Ptolemies.
608
00:37:15,523 --> 00:37:17,563
This puts him in a great position,
609
00:37:17,563 --> 00:37:21,603
and he, he already had a great position
because he was in Caesar's will.
610
00:37:21,603 --> 00:37:23,403
But now he's proven it.
611
00:37:23,403 --> 00:37:26,163
It's tangible. It's undeniable.
612
00:37:29,323 --> 00:37:31,123
[Shelley] After the Battle of Actium,
613
00:37:31,123 --> 00:37:34,203
Cleopatra takes control.
614
00:37:36,043 --> 00:37:38,803
She writes to Octavian.
615
00:37:38,803 --> 00:37:43,763
"If you allow me and Mark Antony to live,
616
00:37:43,763 --> 00:37:46,283
we will go anywhere.
617
00:37:46,283 --> 00:37:48,083
And you can have Egypt."
618
00:37:48,083 --> 00:37:51,403
Mark, no one, can ever know. Please.
619
00:37:55,603 --> 00:37:57,083
She doesn't quite try to appeal to him
620
00:37:57,083 --> 00:37:59,043
in the, in the same way
that she did to Caesar
621
00:37:59,043 --> 00:38:00,803
and to Antony in the past,
622
00:38:00,803 --> 00:38:02,083
but she is pragmatic.
623
00:38:02,083 --> 00:38:04,923
At this stage, she probably knows
that she will be exiled,
624
00:38:04,923 --> 00:38:10,723
but she still wants her children
to have rule at least over Egypt.
625
00:38:10,723 --> 00:38:15,963
She also asks Octavian for Antony to live.
626
00:38:19,523 --> 00:38:23,483
[Colleen] Cleopatra needs to cut a deal
with Octavian just to survive.
627
00:38:26,683 --> 00:38:29,403
Her fate, that of her family
and her kingdom,
628
00:38:29,403 --> 00:38:32,203
are entirely in Octavian's hands.
629
00:38:35,043 --> 00:38:38,163
[birds squawking]
630
00:38:41,523 --> 00:38:46,003
My lord, Octavian, thanks Pharoah
for your message
631
00:38:47,003 --> 00:38:51,843
and instructs me, as his ambassador,
to inform you...
632
00:38:52,923 --> 00:38:54,763
he's willing to grant your request.
633
00:38:56,483 --> 00:38:57,723
[whispers]
Okay.
634
00:38:57,723 --> 00:38:59,163
[Thyrsus] On one condition.
635
00:39:01,283 --> 00:39:02,843
A simple request.
636
00:39:06,723 --> 00:39:07,963
Kill Antony.
637
00:39:08,723 --> 00:39:10,483
His life for yours.
638
00:39:11,123 --> 00:39:12,803
And your children's, of course.
639
00:39:20,843 --> 00:39:22,843
[tense music]
640
00:39:28,403 --> 00:39:30,443
{\an8}[closing theme music]