The Life and Legacy of Mark Antony with Jeff Tatum

A complex and captivating portrait of Mark Antony that offers a fresh perspective on the fall of the Roman Republic
In his lifetime, Mark Antony was a famous man. Ally and avenger of Julius Caesar, rhetorical target of Cicero, lover of Cleopatra, and mortal enemy of Octavian (the future emperor Augustus), Antony played a leading role in the transformation of the Roman world. Ever since his and Cleopatra's demise at the hands of Octavian, he has remained famous, or infamous, a figure of recurring fascination.
His life--variegated, passionate, sensual, bold, and tragic--inspires vigorous reactions. Nearly everyone has a view on Antony. For Cicero, he was a distasteful though talented man. Octavian fashioned him a dangerous failure, a Roman noble corrupted by his appetites and his lust for Cleopatra. Later historians adopted and adapted these themes, delivering their readers an Antony who was irresistibly depraved, startlingly brave, sometimes cunning, but almost always constitutionally incapable of choosing the right side of history. From these, especially Plutarch's compelling portrait, Shakespeare gave us the chivalrous and unstudied Antony of Antony and Cleopatra.
A Noble Ruin, the fullest biography of Antony in English, assimilates the various, often competing, ancient sources to provide a strong and much-needed dose of realism to the caricature we have of this major historical figure. The book gives ample attention to the varied cultural circumstances in which Antony operated, including the social and moral expectations of his republican heritage, as well as the exceptional challenges posed by the convulsion of civil war. In furnishing a complex and captivating portrait of Anthony, A Noble Ruin allows readers to freshly assess his conduct, ambitions, and attainments, as well as the turbulent age in which he lived.
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- CHAPTERS -
0:00​ Introduction
0:55 What is A Noble Ruin All About?
2:25 The Fullest Biography of Mark Antony in English
4:00 The Evidence For Mark Antony's Life
5:15 Beyond a Political Lens
6:40 Why Write a Biography of Mark Antony?
8:10 Mark Antony's 'Eastern Identity'
11:00 The Most Surprising Thing About Mark Antony's Life to Jeff
13:30 Shakespeare's 'Antony and Cleopatra'
15:30 What is One Thing People Should Know about A Noble Ruin?
17:27 Outro
- WANT TO KNOW MORE? -
Mark Antony's Oration at Caesar's Funeral
www.worldhistory.org/article/...
Mark Antony's Parthian Campaign
www.worldhistory.org/article/...
Mark Antony
www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Ant...
Battle of Actium
www.worldhistory.org/Battle_o...
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- ATTRIBUTIONS -
The music used in this recording is the intellectual copyright of Michael Levy, a prolific composer for the recreated lyres of antiquity, and used with the creator's permission. Michael Levy's music is available to stream at all the major digital music platforms. Find out more on:
www.ancientlyre.com
open.spotify.com/artist/7Dx2v...
/ @michaellevymusic
World History Encyclopedia
www.worldhistory.org
#markantony #antonyandcleopatra #jefftatum #oup

[@krishnagopalsrivastava2084]

Very comprehensive interview. I love the fact that Prof. Tatum highlighted Antony's role in solidifying the Roman East which is not talked about enough. Also, the references to Cleopatra were minimum for a refreshing change. Thank you to World History Encyclopedia for conducting this interview

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

We are glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[@joyfuljennifer4125]

Thank you! I often wonder what our world would have been like if Mark Antony and Cleopatra ruled together side by side. Such a tough love life it was. You win or lose.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

That's definitely something interesting to think about. Indeed, heavy is the head that wears the crown. Thanks for watching!

[@Davlavi]

Great interview.

[@WorldHistoryEncyclopedia]

Thank you so much! We're glad that you enjoyed it.