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he is happy Caesar has a son, but when Antony asks Octavian, Caesar’s
nephew and heir, if he is upset, Octavian keeps his opinions to himself.
Caesar at last departs from Egypt, promising to send for Cleopatra and the
child. Two years later, he arrives in Rome, honored as a victorious general
in a glorious triumph. After a third year, Cleopatra grows impatient. Rufio
finally announces Caesar has been named “dictator for life” and has sent
for her to come to Rome.
On the day of Cleopatra’s arrival, a purple-clad Caesar sits on the dais
to watch her procession as it enters the Forum. Alongside him are Octavian
and Antony, while the senators and noble ladies, including Calpurnia,
watch from their seats. The Roman people are delighted by the spectacle
of exotic dancers and parading soldiers. Cleopatra emerges through the
arch seated next to her son, Caesarion, both of them dressed in gold, atop
an immense Egyptian Sphinx of black granite pulled by an army of brawny
servants. Caesar is elated by the sight, and Antony is intrigued. When the
queen approaches Caesar, she and the child bow before him for all to see,
in a gesture to acknowledge his status and power in Rome. Gossip runs
wild in the city as Caesar spends time with Cleopatra and their son. Caesar
becomes annoyed with the protocols of the Senate approval process and
starts to desire more concrete power than “dictator” to effect changes in
Rome. He demands they make him “emperor.” Rome will not tolerate a
king, and some of the senators are alarmed by Caesar’s attempt to establish
sole rule, so they induce Brutus to destroy Caesar. When Caesar reveals
the Senate is set to vote on extending his authority, both Antony and
Cleopatra encourage him to solidify his power. But after several bad omens,
a worried Cleopatra warns Caesar to be careful. On the Ides of March 44
bc, a mob of senators led by Brutus and Cassius attacks Caesar, stabbing
him to death next to a statue of Pompey. The body is brought to the
Forum and burned on a pyre. After the murder, Octavian, not Antony, is
proclaimed Caesar’s heir. That night, Antony visits Cleopatra as she is
about to set sail on the Tiber. After a tense exchange, they make a pact to
meet again.
Part 2. At the battle of Philippi in 42 bc, Mark Antony has led a successful
campaign against the assassins of Julius Caesar, Brutus and Cassius,
now dead. Antony is hailed by the army as the victorious general, while
his rival, the sickly Octavian, ails in his tent. Antony cannot hide his
dislike of Octavian, and the officer loyal to him, Agrippa. Yet Antony and
Octavian decide to form a triumvirate with Lepidus, a politician, and
agree to divide the empire: Lepidus will take Africa, Octavian will get Italy,
Spain, and Gaul, while Antony will control the East. Antony sets up his
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