ACTIUM, ak'shium, Greece, now Akri, a promontory on the west coast out from the northwest extremity of Acarnarna, on the Ionian Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Arta (old Ambricia), opposite Prevesa and just north of Santa Maura (old Leucadia). Forts Punta and Aktium defend it. It represents one of the greatest of historical landmarks: the naval battle of 2 Sept. 31 Lc., between Octavi anus (later the Emperor Augustus) and An tony, which decided the mastership of the then civilized world. For the reasons of the en gagement, see AwroNius; it was fought by him, not for victory but for escape, which partly ex plains its half-heartedness and result on his side. Both armies were drawn up on the shore watching it. After waiting four days for a calm they engaged about noon on the fifth. Antony had some 500 large ships, Octavianus fewer and lighter ones. Antony on his right was opposed to Agrippa, Octavianus on hii to Cxlius; Cleopatra's 60 were in the rear sup porting Antony's forces. Antony's vessels were huge hulks, too clumsy for manoeuvring; but on the other hand so impenetrable with iron-bolted timbers and brass plates and spikes that Octa vianus' galleys dared not ram them for fear of shattering themselves, and skirmished rapidly around, hurling missiles and trying to board. It
was more like the besieging of forts than a naval battle; one of Antony's tall structures being often surrounded with three or four of its nimble foes pouring darts and fire-balls into it,
to which it replied from catapults loaded with
heavy missiles. At length Agrippa used his
superior numbers to attempt a flanking
ment; Antony's flag-captain drew his wing
away from the centre to prevent it; Cleopatra
took alarm, and to make sure of escape her
squadron broke through the front rank,
ing it into disorder, and sailed away for Egypt.
Antony jumped into a small galley and followed
her, leaving his command to its fate; even so it
fought on till about 4 P. M., when 300 ships had
been taken and many burned, and 5,000 men
killed; it then yielded. The land army
dered a week later. In commemoration of the
triumph Octavianus enlarged the temple of
Apollo at Actium, dedicated his trophies there,
! instituted quinquennial games and built Nico &is (<