In a classical sense, historians have classified the downfall of the Roman republic as being during the period 133-14AD or from the Grachii to Octavian. from the dissident rumblings from the trubunician Tiberius to the outright proclamtion of Marius as consul for consecutive terms, it seems clear that the movement from republic to monarchy was in full swing. ... Tiberius and indeed Octavian allowed the senate virtually free reign in the running of the empire, or rather the senate chose of its own free will to take an active role in the govering of Rome whilst shunting Octavianus to one side. ...

• Word Count: 432
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"Antony and Cleopatra uses as a moral exemplum to teach the evils of lust, with Cleopatra as the embodiment of animal lechery and Antony the drunken, prodigal fool ensnared by her duplicity, discarding an empire and damning his soul." ... Shakespeare's play seems to demonstrate a continuing struggle for power, whether it be Cleopatra's ever long battle to keep Egypt hers, for she had already made Julius Caesar lay down his sword, or Antony's conflicts within himself to regain his power over not only Rome, but also himself and most importantly Cleopatra, the "cause of his downfal...

• Word Count: 797
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Born in 69 BC, Cleopatra VII was the inheritor of the Greek Macedonian, Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt. ... Octavian was victorious at the Battle of Philippi in 42BC, upon when the empire was divided between Octavian to the west Lepidus with Africa and Antony to the east where she soon allied herself with the promiscuous and handsome Roman general. ...

• Word Count: 2591
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate