The Power Struggle of Octavian and Antony
Following the death of Ptolemy XIV,Cleopatra ruled the Egypt with her infant son “Little Caesar” as co-regent. Their rule was a period of turmoil. Erratic Nile flooding caused failure crops, causing citywide hunger and inflation of the prices of the little food they had left. Meanwhile the second triumvirate was created by Caesars allies such as of Caesar’s allies, Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus and his assassins, Brutus and Cassius. Both the allies and enemies were in a power struggle and both wanted Egypts support. After waiting awhile later , Cleopatra stationed four Roman legions in Egypt by Caesar` to support Caesar's allies. In 42 B.C., the forces of Brutus and Cassius were defeated in the battles of Philippi and Mark Antony and Octavian divided power of Rome. Mark Antony received control of the eastern regions of rome. Octavian received control of the western regions of Rome. Greedy for more power and control, both Octavian and Marc Antony tried to gain sole custody of Rome.