The Battle of Actium was the decisive naval engagement fought off the promontory of Actium on September 2, 31 BC, between the Roman fleet of Octavian (later first emperor of Rome as Augustus), under the command of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, and a combined Roman-Egyptian fleet commanded by Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

The battle was really a political ploy by Octavian to take power from Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, for control of the Roman world. Also Marc Anthony had divorsed Octavian's sister to be with Cleopatra, and Octavian stired up the Roman senate as an excuse to get back at them. There had been skirmishing of armies encamped on opposite shores of the Ambracian Gulf before.

Marc Anthony launched the initial phase of the engagement. (Against the advice of his generals) Cleopatra really wanted an opportunity to withdraw to Egypt. but Marc Antony launched his fleet of approximately 220 heavy craft equipped with missile-throwing devices attacked at close range.

Octavian's fleet was of some 260 light vessels had greater maneuverability.

Cleopatra insisted on taking part in the campaign. The outcome of the battle could have gone either way until Cleopatra, became alarmed and ordered the Egyptian contingent, about 60 vessels, to withdraw.

Marc Antony himself followed Cleopatra, and most of his remaining vessels were soon overtaken and annihilated. The deserted army later surrendered to Octavian.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony fled to Alexandria. Later Octavian aracked Alexandria. Most of Marc Antony's troups deserted but he fought as best as he could but lost to Octavian.

Marc Antony heard a false report of the death of the queen, committed suicide. Hearing that Octavian intended to exhibit her in his triumph at Rome, Cleopatra killed herself, probably by poison, or, according to an old tradition, by the bite of an asp. Marc Antony fell on his own sword to be with her ( or maybe because he was defeated)

Finding out that Cleoparta was still alive, he had him self carried to her and died in her arms.