A Noble Ruin: Mark Antony, Civil War, and the Collapse of the Roman Republic

Mark Antony was a famous man who played a leading role in the transformation of the Roman world. A Noble Ruin is the fullest biography of Antony in English, providing a strong and much-needed dose of realism to the caricature we have of this major historical figure. It assimilates the various, often competing, ancient sources to provide a complex and captivating portrait of Anthony, allowing readers to freshly assess his conduct, ambitions, and attainments, as well as the turbulent age in which he lived.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Mark Antony, a renowned figure in his lifetime, played a pivotal role in shaping the Roman world. As an ally and avenger of Julius Caesar, a rhetorical target of Cicero, a lover of Cleopatra, and a mortal enemy of Octavian (the future emperor Augustus), Antony's life was marked by a series of dramatic events. Despite his and Cleopatra's demise at the hands of Octavian, Antony has remained a fascinating and controversial figure, inspiring strong reactions from nearly everyone.

Cicero, for instance, viewed Antony as a distasteful but talented man. Octavian, on the other hand, portrayed him as a dangerous failure, a Roman noble corrupted by his appetites and his lust for Cleopatra. Later historians adopted and adapted these themes, presenting Antony as irresistibly depraved, startlingly brave, sometimes cunning, but ultimately constitutionally incapable of choosing the right side of history.

Plutarch's compelling portrait, in particular, provided Shakespeare with the inspiration for the chivalrous and unstudied Antony in his play "Antony and Cleopatra." A Noble Ruin, the fullest biography of Antony in English, aims to provide a fresh perspective on this historical figure by assimilating various ancient sources. The book delves into the diverse cultural circumstances in which Antony operated, including the social and moral expectations of his republican heritage and the exceptional challenges posed by the convulsion of civil war.

By offering a complex and captivating portrait of Antony, A Noble Ruin allows readers to reassess his conduct, ambitions, and attainments, as well as the turbulent circumstances that shaped his life and career. The book sheds light on Antony's complex personality, his strategic alliances and betrayals, and his profound impact on the course of Roman history. Through its comprehensive analysis, A Noble Ruin provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this influential historical figure.

Weight: 850g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197694909