Perusine War facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Perusine War |
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| Part of the Crisis of the Roman Republic | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Roman forces of Octavian | Roman forces of Fulvia and Lucius Antonius | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Octavian Agrippa Salvidienus |
Fulvia Lucius Antonius Plancus Ventidius Asinius |
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 65,000 | 43,000 (8 Legions) | ||||||||
The Perusine War was a civil war fought in Rome from 41 to 40 BC. A civil war is when people from the same country fight against each other. This war was between Lucius Antonius and Fulvia (who was Mark Antony's wife) on one side, and Octavian (who later became the Emperor Augustus) on the other.
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What Was the Perusine War?
This conflict happened during a time of big problems in the Roman Republic. It was part of a larger period called the Crisis of the Roman Republic. The war started because Fulvia and Lucius Antonius wanted to support Mark Antony. They believed he should be the only powerful leader in Rome.
Who Was Involved?
Mark Antony was part of a group of three powerful leaders called the Second Triumvirate. This group also included Octavian. Fulvia felt that her husband, Mark Antony, should not have to share power with Octavian.
Fulvia's Important Role
It was very unusual for a woman to be so involved in politics back then. In Roman society, women usually did not have much power. Their actions in politics were rarely written down. But Fulvia played a big part in starting this war.
The Siege of Perusia
Fulvia and Lucius Antonius gathered a large army of eight legions in Italy. A legion was a big unit of Roman soldiers. Their army managed to control the city of Rome for a short time. However, they were soon forced to leave Rome and retreat to a city called Perusia. Today, Perusia is known as Perugia, Italy.
The people of Perusia were on their side. This was because Octavian had taken some of their towns and land. He had given this land to his soldiers who had finished fighting in other wars.
The Battle and Its Outcome
During the winter of 41–40 BC, Octavian's army surrounded Perusia. This is called a siege. They cut off all supplies to the city. Eventually, the people inside Perusia ran out of food and began to suffer from starvation. They realized that no help was coming from other parts of Italy or from the East. Because of this, the city had to surrender.
What Happened After the War?
Octavian decided to spare the lives of Fulvia and Lucius Antonius. As a gesture to his brother, Lucius Antonius was sent to govern a Spanish province. Mark Antony then sent Fulvia away to a place called Sicyon. She died there in 40 BC from an illness.
After her death, some people said that Fulvia was the main reason for the fighting between Antony and Octavian. To show that they were friends again, Mark Antony married Octavian's sister, Octavia. This new friendship lasted for about eight years. But then, Antony and Octavian started another civil war against each other.
