Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Denarius (Silver, 16 mm, 3.61 g, 12 h), Alexandria (?), autumn 34. CLEOPATRAE [REGINAE•REGVM]•FILIORVM•REGVM• Diademed and draped bust of Cleopatra to right; below, prow to right. Rev. [ANTONI•A]RMENIA•DEVICTA Bare head of Mark Antony to right; behind, Armenian tiara. Babelon (Antonia) 95. Crawford 543/1. CRI 345. RBW 1832. Sydenham 1210. Lightly toned. Struck on a slightly short flan and with traces of corrosion, otherwise, about very fine.



Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s Alexandrian portrait denarii have traditionally been dated to 32 BC. However, their inscriptions and iconography clearly link them to Antony's Armenian campaign in 34 BC and the subsequent, infamous 'Donations of Alexandria'. After Antony’s return from what was essentially a plundering expedition intended to divert attention from his failures against the Parthians, a grand spectacle was held in Alexandria, where captives were paraded and donatives distributed. Most striking, however, was the distribution of titles and territories to Cleopatra, Antony, and their children: Cleopatra was proclaimed Queen of Kings and Queen of Egypt, claiming Cyprus, Libya, and central Syria for herself; Alexander Helios was assigned Armenia, Media, and Parthia; his twin sister, Cleopatra Selene, received Cyrenaica and Libya; and Ptolemy Philadelphus was given Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia.

These grants of territory - including Roman provinces and unconquered lands like Media and Parthia—provoked outrage in Rome. Most controversial was the proclamation of Caesarion, Julius Caesar’s and Cleopatra’s son, as King of Kings, a god, and divi filius ('son of god'), as well as Caesar’s sole legitimate heir. This directly challenged Octavian's claim to power, rooted in his adoption by Caesar and the loyalty of Caesar’s legions. The 'Donations' ultimately deepened the rift between the two most powerful men of the Roman world, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation.