https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SFsAqqN7fU

@bio2020

10 years ago (edited)

Notice how intelligent Octavian is. He sets Antony up with this trap right from the start. He hears that Antony is hungover and can barely think straight, so he smiles while looking at the map and knows this is the moment to bring it up. He brings up the idea of splitting the empire into three parts, but tells Antony that he "hadn't considered how" to split it up yet. This is clearly a lie. We all know Octavian thought of how to split it up, every single thing he does is calculated and planned ahead of time. He knew Antony would pick the money, (Egypt, etc) and leave Rome to Octavian. This is exactly what Octavian wants. Octavian wants to live in Rome and be seen as the rightful Emperor, while Antony is off in a far away land governing other people. However, Octavian wants it to be Antony's idea. If Octavian demands Rome and the West, it will give Antony pause and he will want it too and he will figure it out. But, if Antony is left up to his own devices... Antony's simple minded greed will make him pick Egypt, where all the tax revenue and grain control is. Furthermore, Octavian even offers a false protest, bringing up all the negatives of having to "settle" for Rome.... Octavian mentions a fractured senate (politics), keeping the mob happy (administrative duties), basically all of the "boring" stuff that Antony absolutely hates to do...... they are falling into his trap. And Antony is so simple minded and distracted, he really thinks Octavian would believe his promise to not steal? After he already accepted secret bribes and angered Octavian? Antony should have been suspicious of Octavian being so trusting so quickly... Once Octavian is able to consolidate his political power in the heart of Rome....... the other two are toast.

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