AC'TIIIM (now Azio), a t. and promontory on the w. coast of Greece, at the entrance of the Ambraciot bay, now the gulf of Arta, is memorable for the sea-fight which took place near it, 2d Sept., 31 B.C., between Octavianus (afterwards the emperor Augustus) and Marcus Antonius. These two had for some time ruled the Roman world between them—the former in the w., the latter in the c. ; it now came to a struggle for the sole sovereignty. The two armies were encamped on the opposite shores of the gulf: Octavian had 80,000 infantry; 12,000 cavalry, and 260 ships of war; Antony, 100,000 infantry, 12,000 cavalry, and 220 ships. Antony's ships were large and well provided with engines for throwing missiles, but clumsy in their movements; Octavian's were smaller and more agile. Antony was supported by Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, with GO vessels, who induced him, against the opinion of his most experienced generals, to determine upon a naval engagement. The battle continued for some hours undecided; at last, Agrippa, who commanded Octavian's fleet, succeeded, by a skillful maneuver, in compelling Antony to extend his line of battle, whose compactness had hitherto resisted all attempts of the enemy to break through. Cleopatra. whose ships were sta
tioned behind Antony's line, apprehensive of that line being broken, took to flight with her auxiliary fleet, and Antony recklessly followed her with a few of his ships. The deserted fleet continued to resist bravely for sonic time, but was finally vanquished; the land-army, after waiting in vain seven (lays for Antony's return, surrendered to Octa vian. As a memorial of the victory that had given him the empire of the world, and out of gratitude to the gods, Octavian enlarged the temple of Apollo at A., dedicated the trophies he had taken, and instituted games to be celebrated every five years. He also built, on the spot where his army had been encamped, the splendid city of Nicopo lis (city of victory), near where Prevesa now stands.