ANTONY, MARK, son of the orator of that name, having been raised to the prxtorship, was, through the credit of Cotta, and the faction of Cethegus, appointed to carry on the war against the pirates, and, for that purpose, was invested with the government of all the maritime coasts that acknowledged the Roman empire. (Cic. in Vern) Being destitute alike of personal virtue and military talents, he gained neither honour to him self nor advantage to his country. Instigated by a num ber of rapacious followers, who imposed on his simpli city, as well as tempted by his own profuseness, which made him always needy, he plundered those allies of the commonwealth whom he had been sent to protect. And the Cretans, to whom he unwisely confined his hostilities, animated by the same spirit which had hi therto secured their independence, advanced boldly to meet him at sea, and, after defeating him, and taking many of his ships, returned in triumph to their own ports. Intimidated by this disaster, as much as he had been formerly confident of success, he made a disho nourable peace with them, and thus completed his in famy. It is alleged, that, in derision of his misconduct
on this occasion, the people gave him the surname of Crcticus ; but that appellation appears to have been con ferred upon a different person. (Comp. nor. um. 7. and Dio.) He soon after died, under the impressions of grief and shame operating on a bad constitution of body, in the year of Rome 681. (Sal. Bist. iii. Plat. in Ant.) Weak, extravagant, and rapacious, equally presump tuous in his ambition and unsuccessful in all his under takings, his life and character are scarcely worthy of being recorded, except for warning governments against the destructive error of bestowing important commands upon men who have nothing to recommend them but high-toned pretensions, incidental rank, or attachment to a political party. (T)