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The John Batchelor Show

S8 Ep624: 4. Antony commits a fatal "unforced error" by divorcing Octavia in 33 BC. Octavian exploits this for propaganda, framing Antony as a traitor who abandoned his Roman wife for an Egyptian queen. Antony views the divorce as a "credible commitment" to show hi

The John Batchelor Show

John Batchelor

Books, Society & Culture, Arts, News

4.52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ ? minutes

Summary

4. Antony commits a fatal "unforced error" by divorcing Octavia in 33 BC. Octavian exploits this for propaganda, framing Antony as a traitor who abandoned his Roman wife for an Egyptian queen. Antony views the divorce as a "credible commitment" to show his supporters he will never compromise with Octavian. Despite warnings from generals like Ahenobarbus to leave Cleopatra behind, Antony keeps her and her treasury close for the coming conflict. This allow Octavian to present the war not as a civil struggle, but as a crusade to save Rome from "un-Roman" Eastern influences. (4)

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