Battle of Actium

A naval battle fought on 2 September 31 BC between the forces of Octavian (later called Caesar Augustus, the successor of Julius Caesar) and those of his rivals, Mark Antony, and the queen of Egypt, Cleopatra. It took place in the Ionian Sea, Just off the coast of the Roman colony of Actium, Greece. Octavian’s navy was led by his close friend, top general, and son-in-law, Marcus Agrippa. Octavian would later pursue Antony and Cleopatra back to Egypt, where they committed suicide. This effectively ended all opposition to Octavian’s rule, allowing him to become the first Emperor of Rome.