Octavian defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE.
The naval battle took place on 2 September 31 BCE near Actium on the western coast of Greece. Octavian’s fleet was commanded operationally by Marcus Agrippa, whose naval strategy helped defeat the forces of Antony and Cleopatra. Cleopatra’s squadron broke through the fighting, and Antony followed her; much of their fleet later surrendered or was destroyed.
Actium ended the final major civil war of the Roman Republic. Antony and Cleopatra withdrew to Egypt, where they died the following year after Octavian invaded Alexandria. Octavian then became the sole master of the Roman world. In 27 BCE, the Senate granted him the title Augustus, marking the political beginning of the Roman Empire.
Although Agrippa played a crucial military role, Octavian was the political leader and ultimate victor, which is why the victory is associated with him.