The sun., 1908-12-06


n -f-- r--7
N' I.
The Last eventfui years Of Antony life.
1nciuding the precise Significance OF the
battle of Actium (B. G. sD, which has
ke,,efaIIy been misunderstood. VIII be
Eound conoisely but distinctly set forth
il the first i2o pages. A still more con-
asnacd account is presented in an ap-
4ssdix. 1t Is customary TO impute the
Fnlnous defeat at Aotium to feminine
.mpatjence worthy Of an Egyptian
= oman by which Cleopatra was said
~ Plutarch and Dion TO have been
Asizsi In the midst OF the conflict. In
EsFrero's judgment the explanation
zlven by the TIVE historians is legendary.
b the importation OF love romance
hey attempted 70 simplify an extremely
EoosnpIicated history. in which the motive
Force was really one Of the most obscure
and terrible influences in social lie.
This force" we are told. is the essential
anadIustability which imposes itself as
political necessity. upon every period
n which social forces exist in mutual
antagonism W ithout any immediate possi-
bflity Of SUCCESS for either. Under such
6ifcunstsnces every political combination
must rest upon some partial or temporary
aemprofnise which never can become
karmony: this compromise then becomes
principle Of policy. but a principle both
81 life and of death. At the outset 1t
{ heconnes a. condition OF success; in the
HbaI event it is the cause OF inevitable
ruin y, The historian goes on to explain
that such temporary political combina-
fions'are created by the bold energy OF
atzda{ious minds or by the vulgar expedi-
z.sts A third rate politicians The battle
II Ackium is pronounced the final collapse
81 bolicy based upon inherent antago-
nissid principles
Let us note athenthe grounds on which
Ferr3ro dissents from the current judg-
saeptb Of history upon Antony. That
t4riufhvir committed the great crime OF
z1ffeltng, ultimately and definitely, defeat;
szd she censure Of posterity has Accord
intlyt been severe. We are reminded,
however. that Cesar seems to have passed
very different Judgment upon him.
+ Cesar took notice OF Antony when the
tossrae, e,naank and support during the last
SaInpaigns ID Ganl and confided to him
as lieutenant difficult tasks during the
Sivfl war.-After the battle OF Pharsalia
Antony was installed as Vice-Dictator
II Master OF the Horse (Md1ister Equitnm)
Is Italy. where, however, his admins
irntion was not distinguished by special
fSliactties: in the year AZ b. Z. he allowed
a kind of social revolution to break out
e Rome. which.he; fhkfsupon suppressed
With Extraordinary severity. At the same
time FefteffS dsestiohs Nhether any man
atrept Cesar hi4eelf would have. been
more successful-in coping with situa-
lion son,difieult. Cesar himself. not
|#ithsthnding his first vexatioh, recog-
sized the fact and was reoonciled to An
1ony. appointing him consul and over
Nfelmipg his family with fayors.
On his readmission to Casar's intimacy
Antony became the confidant OF the Die
tator during the last eight months Of the
iaftcfE life; he had full knowledge Of
f,esar, 8 plans, and after his assassination
8as able to seize all Cesar's papers.
T 1lir author thinks that probably he was
The only man who knew their importance.
II Il 1,3t denied that during the political
nffuRgle and the civil wars which followed
tn8aE,s. death Antony committed many
fsiafaKeS, but he emerged triumphant
from seyery contest and on many occa-
sicns gave proof Of remarkable energy.
10 credit for the two victories at Philippi
Rea his ,alone. for 0ctavianus gave no
heIp when he defeated Cassius in the
. fifst and Brutus in the second engagement.
EFena The ancient historians. severe as
they ARE 10 their final judgments Of him.
Admit his capacity up to and including
tbe victory OF Philippi and place the
starring point OF his deterioration in the
4 winter of 8. c. 4i-+0. when ne met Cleo
pstra At Tersus. As. a matter OF fact,
howo#sr, in the year B. c. u he spent but
few months at Alexandria. and at the
bsginping Of the year 40. on the first news
that Parthian army was marching upon
HgTia. he quilted the enchantress-queen,
and Car the next three years he not only
fernained absent from Cleopatra but, far
from being absorbed in love. his great
energies were wholly occupied with his
ncheme,for the conquest OF Persia.
Farrero here directs his attention to
d pefgistebt misunderstanding Of the
4 facfa.s The statement has been con-
=s>ss..ess ss.e repeated and IL still advanced
that 0ctaEian, afterward to be known as
- tho hair - Juli,a Cnaay