Cleopatra: Part 16

In 41-40 B.C., after their famous negotiations at Tarsus, Cleopatra and Mark Antony spent the winter together in Alexandria. During that period, they likely conceived their twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. Their romance may not have begun in Alexandria, however. Some historians suggest that Antony and Cleopatra had already established a relationship before their reunion in Egypt, which would explain his eagerness to join the Egyptian queen there.

Cleopatra had a remarkable ability to secure political and personal alliances. She had previously captivated Julius Caesar, and she appears to have employed similar charm and intelligence with Antony. Yet Antony did not arrive in Alexandria as a free man. He already had a wife, and not just any wife.

Fulvia ranked among the most powerful and influential figures in Rome. At a time when Roman women rarely exercised public authority, she wielded extraordinary political influence. Moreover, she actively participated in the turbulent power struggles that followed the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Born the daughter of Marcus Fulvius Bambalio of Tusculum, Fulvia came from an established Roman family. She first married the populist politician Publius Clodius Pulcher. Through that marriage, she became deeply involved in Roman politics. In fact, their daughter Claudia later married Octavian, the future Augustus.

When Clodius was murdered in 52 B.C. by his political rival Milo, Fulvia transformed her grief into a powerful political statement. She displayed her husband’s wounded body before the Roman people and inflamed public outrage against Milo and his supporters. Consequently, riots erupted in Rome, and Milo eventually went into exile.

Fulvia’s second husband, Caius Scribonius Curio, died during Caesar’s civil war in Africa in 49 B.C. Nevertheless, she remained politically active. Then, in 44 B.C., she married Mark Antony. Ancient sources often portray Fulvia as deeply devoted to Antony and fiercely ambitious on his behalf.

Furthermore, she benefited from the proscriptions of 43 B.C., a period of sanctioned political violence. Ancient writers accused her of taking satisfaction in the deaths of Antony’s enemies, including the great orator Cicero. Although some accounts may reflect hostile propaganda, they contributed significantly to her reputation as one of Rome’s most formidable women.

Meanwhile, Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra continued to grow. As his attention shifted eastward, Fulvia increasingly involved herself in Roman affairs. After Antony settled in the East and spent time with Cleopatra, Fulvia joined forces with Antony’s brother, Lucius Antonius, against Octavian.

Their opposition centered on Octavian’s controversial confiscation of Italian land for Caesar’s veterans. However, personal motives may also have played a role. Some ancient authors suggest that Fulvia hoped to compel Antony’s return to Italy by creating a political crisis.

Initially, Antony appears to have supported her actions. Coin evidence suggests he approved of the rebellion, although he later distanced himself from it. The conflict culminated in the Perusine War during the winter of 41-40 B.C.

As the struggle intensified, Octavian besieged Lucius Antonius in Perusia, modern-day Perugia. Starvation eventually forced a surrender. Octavian’s propaganda machine blamed Fulvia for the entire conflict. Significantly, archaeologists have even discovered sling bullets bearing insults directed at her, demonstrating just how controversial she had become.

Although Octavian sacked Perusia, he spared Lucius Antonius and later assigned him a command in Spain. Fulvia escaped to Greece, where she met Antony in Athens. Ancient sources describe Antony as furious over her political interference. Whether his anger truly caused her distress remains uncertain. Nevertheless, Fulvia died shortly afterward.

Her death dramatically altered the political landscape. Without Fulvia, Antony could marry Octavian’s sister, Octavia. That marriage temporarily repaired relations between the two triumvirs and strengthened their political alliance.

Yet Fulvia’s story did not end with her death. Her sons by Antony, Marcus Antonius Antyllus and Jullus Antonius, later played significant and sometimes embarrassing roles during Augustus’ reign.

For anyone studying Cleopatra’s rise to power, Fulvia remains a fascinating figure. Long before Cleopatra became Antony’s partner, Fulvia had already demonstrated how much influence a determined woman could wield in the male-dominated world of Roman politics. In many ways, she paved the way for the political fears and fascination that later surrounded Egypt’s last queen.

Further Reading

Readers interested in learning more about Cleopatra VII, the Ptolemaic dynasty, and the Roman figures who shaped her world may find the following references useful.

Historical Resources

Recommended Non-Fiction Books

• Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
• Antony and Cleopatra by Adrian Goldsworthy
• Women and Politics in the Age of the Roman Republic by Richard A. Bauman
• The Roman Revolution by Ronald Syme
• Augustus: First Emperor of Rome by Adrian Goldsworthy
• Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland

Recommended Historical Fiction

• The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George
• Cleopatra’s Daughter by Michelle Moran
• The October Horse by Colleen McCullough
• Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough
• Daughters of the Nile by Stephanie Dray
• The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran