This promontory on the western coast of GREECE at the entrance to the Ambracian Gulf is where a decisive battle for control of Egypt and the Roman empire took place in 31 B.C.E. Octavian, the future AUGUSTUS, met Marc ANTONY and CLEOPATRA VII (51–30 B.C.E.) at Actium. Antony was camped on the site, and the naval battle that took place outside of the gulf provided the name for the battle. Octavian’s 400 ships defeated the 500 vessels of Marc Antony and Cleopatra VII, and they fled to ALEXANDRIA. Antony committed suicide outside of Alexandria, and Cleopatra VII, facing imprisonment and humiliation, killed herself when the Roman forces took up residence in the city soon after the battle. Octavian (Emperor Augustus) initiated an Olympic-style series of games at Actium to commemorate his victory there.
