31 BCEReputable sourceWell documented
The Battle of Actium
On the timeline · around 31 BCE ·
What happened
In a naval battle off the western coast of Greece, the fleet of Octavian, commanded by his admiral Agrippa, defeated the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII of Egypt. The pair fled and took their own lives the following year.
Why it matters
Actium left Octavian sole master of the Roman world, ending the civil wars and clearing the way for the Empire.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Battle of Actium · Reputable source