In 'Antony and Cleopatra', which Roman leader defeats the title couple?

In “Antony and Cleopatra,” Octavius Caesar defeats the title couple.

Octavius Caesar is the historical Octavian, Julius Caesar’s adopted son and heir, who later became the first Roman emperor Augustus. In Shakespeare’s play, he is one of the three members of the Second Triumvirate, alongside Mark Antony and Lepidus. The alliance initially helps the triumvirs defeat Caesar’s assassins, but it eventually fractures.

Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, draws him away from Rome and deepens his rivalry with Octavius. Octavius presents Antony as a man who has abandoned Roman duty for an eastern love affair. Their conflict culminates in the naval Battle of Actium in 31 BC, where Octavian’s forces defeat the fleet commanded by Antony and Cleopatra’s allies.

After Actium, Antony and Cleopatra retreat to Alexandria. Octavius invades Egypt, and the couple’s position becomes impossible to defend. Antony kills himself after receiving false news that Cleopatra is dead; Cleopatra later dies by suicide, traditionally said to involve an asp. Octavius then annexes Egypt and becomes the uncontested ruler of Rome.

Mark Antony is sometimes selected by mistake because he is one of the title characters, while Lepidus is a fellow triumvir who plays a lesser role. The name “Octavius Caesar” is the standard Shakespearean answer, even though he was later known as Augustus.