With this, 'Antony's' reputation was ruined, and he lost his strong domestic support.
Octavian took advantage of this, which became one of the reasons for 'Antony's' defeat in the struggle.
[32 BC]
The conflict between Antony and Octavian intensified and eventually led to a complete rupture.
At Cleopatra's behest, Antony formally announced his abandonment of his wife, Octavian's sister.
The insult to his sister led Octavian to defy traditional Roman customs by procuring Antony's will from the Vestal Virgins at the temple and making it public.
In Antony's will, he documented his allocation of territory to Cleopatra and her children and instructed Cleopatra to bury his remains in Alexandria.
Once his will was disclosed, public outrage ensued.
Based on this, the Senate and the People's Assembly declared war on Cleopatra and stripped Antony of his consulship and all other powers, under the pretext of usurping the property of the Roman people.
[31 BC]
