WI: Augustus assassinated following Actium

Following the victory at Actium, a plot on Augustus' life was uncovered by his trusted advisor, Maecenas. It was masterminded by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus (son of the triumvir). The plan was to assassinate Augustus on his return to Italy.Interestingly enough, Dio claims that Antony and Cleopatra had been scheming to "actually kill [Octavian] by treachery." Although no firm connections can be made, it is tempting to assume that the conspirators led by Lepidus may have been in touch with Antony and Cleopatra.

So if we are to assume that Antony and Cleopatra were in deed in touch with the conspirators and had a role in the creation of the plot, what then happen if the plot succeeds and Augustus is assassinated? Most of Antony's army is either dead or defected (the defected though could be key here, because absent of Octavian, they may be tempted to declare back for Antony). Antony is not completely out yet, and Cleopatra still has a lot of wealth-he's also not without his supporters, and absent Octavian, he could make a run for seizing victory in all this from the jaws of defeat.
 
Well, if you think the civil war was bloody then, imagine what it would be like now. Several more years of death and violence to come if Antony can get any kind of momentum again.
 
The legions in Cyrene stick by Antony and the eastern kings rally around him/defect back. Cleopatra's domains are likely expanded at the expense of those who sided with Octavian. Herod's power is expanded at the expense of Nabataea, assuming the Arabs sided with Octavian and burnt her ships as OTL> Lepidus attempts to rally the west and establish his authority in Rome but the Senate most likely seeks reconciliation with Antony. Men like Domitius Ahenobarbus might be crucial in bridging the two sides - Antony was well-liked, despite Octavian's propaganda, and he has tutelage of the remaining Caesar, Ptolemy.

I can see the Senate granting Antony extraordinary honours and imperium over a wide provincia, stretching from Gaul and Africa to the East. He returns west as consul, dictator, Imperator...perhaps sharing power with Lepidus in a show of suitably Republican collegiality. His daughters the Antoniae are betrothed to the sons of Lepidus and Domitius: Antyllus and Julia Caesaris are another obvious match. Cleopatra provides Rome with grain and a loyal ally in the East: an undisputable grant of Roman citizenship consolidates the position of her children.

The end-game is a joint rule of Antony and Cleopatra, to be followed by Antyllus and Caesar Ptolemy (married to Cleopatra Selene): reality would no doubt be far messier, with Cleopatra following Ptolemaic practice in turning against either husband or children sooner rather than later. I imagine Antony would attempt to advance Alexander Helios at Caesarion's expense...Philadelphus would likely not last long and Cleopatra would be threatened by the continued survival of Antyllus and Iullus. Bloodshed galore.
 
The legions in Cyrene stick by Antony and the eastern kings rally around him/defect back. Cleopatra's domains are likely expanded at the expense of those who sided with Octavian. Herod's power is expanded at the expense of Nabataea, assuming the Arabs sided with Octavian and burnt her ships as OTL> Lepidus attempts to rally the west and establish his authority in Rome but the Senate most likely seeks reconciliation with Antony. Men like Domitius Ahenobarbus might be crucial in bridging the two sides - Antony was well-liked, despite Octavian's propaganda, and he has tutelage of the remaining Caesar, Ptolemy.

I can see the Senate granting Antony extraordinary honours and imperium over a wide provincia, stretching from Gaul and Africa to the East. He returns west as consul, dictator, Imperator...perhaps sharing power with Lepidus in a show of suitably Republican collegiality. His daughters the Antoniae are betrothed to the sons of Lepidus and Domitius: Antyllus and Julia Caesaris are another obvious match. Cleopatra provides Rome with grain and a loyal ally in the East: an undisputable grant of Roman citizenship consolidates the position of her children.

The end-game is a joint rule of Antony and Cleopatra, to be followed by Antyllus and Caesar Ptolemy (married to Cleopatra Selene): reality would no doubt be far messier, with Cleopatra following Ptolemaic practice in turning against either husband or children sooner rather than later. I imagine Antony would attempt to advance Alexander Helios at Caesarion's expense...Philadelphus would likely not last long and Cleopatra would be threatened by the continued survival of Antyllus and Iullus. Bloodshed galore.

I always love a good spilling of blood. This seems to make a lot of sense and fits well. Though why would Antony wish to bring Lepidus back into the conversation?
 
I always love a good spilling of blood. This seems to make a lot of sense and fits well. Though why would Antony wish to bring Lepidus back into the conversation?

Propaganda and legitimacy. Show himself forgiving, magnanimous and solidly Republican. Lepidus was connected to most of the elite, a weight name in and of himself, and yet easily dominated by Antony: an nonthreatening but useful colleague.
 
Propaganda and legitimacy. Show himself forgiving, magnanimous and solidly Republican. Lepidus was connected to most of the elite, a weight name in and of himself, and yet easily dominated by Antony: an nonthreatening but useful colleague.

That makes good sense.
 
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