Marc Antony

Marc Antony, a character in the A Courtesan of Rome book, is Caesar's top lieutenant and one of Main Character's love interests. He is based off the real life Marc Antony. He is first seen in Chapter 1.

Appearance
Marc Antony has brown eyes, short brown hair in a buzz cut, an olive complexion, and medium stubble. He wears a dark gray muscle cuirass decorated in gold trim covering a purple-red tunic, a purple-red focale, a dark gray cingulum militare, a dark gray cloak, and dark gray arm bracers. You note his sun- and wind-burnt skin, scarred from long years of campaigning.

Personality
Antony is ambitious, cunning and ruthless. According to Syphax and Cassius, he’s very dangerous and cannot be trusted. Syphax describes him as having "all of Caesar's ruthlessness and none of his scruples." He’s a hedonist, renowned for his weakness for beauty, and according to Lena, he treats women as tools and conquests. On the other hand, he cares about Rome and is sincerely disgusted by Senate’s corruption. Antony depicts himself as a half-reformed street rat with a weakness for women who don't do what they are told.

Background
In a premium scene in Chapter 9, if Main Character chooses to break into empty Senate's Basilica, Antony tells you about his past and explains his hatred for Roman Senate. When he was a boy, his father, an incompetent fool, was killed by pirates. The first words young Marc heard from a Roman senator was that his father was only given power because he was incapable of abusing it efficiently. Later his mother remarried to a respected member to aristocracy, who was later put to death for conspiracy against the state. Asked about details of this case, Marc explains that conspirators wanted to overthrow Cicero, who was then a consul. Antony ends with moral: never conspire against a man who talks as much as Cicero, because it's very hard to defend yourself when you can't get a word in edgewise. By the age of 14, he was almost completely on his own. He ran wild, drinking, gambling, whoring, as if there were no future for him.

In another premium scene in Chapter 19, Antony shows Main Character a secret cave, where gladiators used to purify themselves in an underground lake. As a boy, he used to sneak down there. Asked if he wanted to be a gladiator, Marc says that back then he was a troublemaker and nobody, that people thought would end in a cell or dead in an alley, so he considered gladiators as kindred spirits. Some of them overcame great adversity and became famous, and to a boy, they seemed they had a real power.

Book 1

 * Chapter 12: The Tribunal (Mentioned; Determinant)

A Courtesan of Rome

 * Chapter 1: A Princess of Gaul
 * Chapter 2: Crossing the Rubicon
 * Chapter 3: The Aid of the Gods (Mentioned)
 * Chapter 4: The Hunt
 * Chapter 5: Red-Handed (Mentioned)
 * Chapter 6: Marked (Mentioned)
 * Chapter 7: A Fighting Chance
 * Chapter 8: The Goddess of Watching (Mentioned)
 * Chapter 9: Power Vacuum
 * Chapter 10: Snakes in the Grass
 * Chapter 11: Trial By Combat
 * Chapter 12: Raising The Stakes
 * Chapter 13: Bread and Circus
 * Chapter 14: A Twist of Fate
 * Chapter 15: Best Served Cold
 * Chapter 16: Triumph
 * Chapter 17: A Life for a Life
 * Chapter 18: The Die is Cast
 * Chapter 19: A Warrior's Death
 * Chapter 20: The Liberators
 * Chapter 21: The Ides of March

Main Character
Marc Antony is one of Main Character's love interests. She gains his interest during her debut at Cassius's house. He considers her both beautiful and smart, and even if she openly defies him, he isn't offended and always turns an insult into a joke. He notices that Main Character's accent sounds Gallic. At the end of his visit, he realizes that she must be this Catauni girl. Later, during the hunt in Chapter 4, Antony offers Main Character female greyhound, which can be adopted in a premium scene.

In Chapter 7, after Syphax gets arrested, Main Character seeks for Antony's help on Cassius' advice. If she sneaks into Senate's Basilica in premium scene, disguised as a Roman centurion, she can see Marc first time without his armor. Otherwise, she meets him yet after the meeting. Antony seems to be aware that she's spying on Senate, especially when she's disguised, though he decides to keep her secret. He agrees to help Syphax, regardless of his relationship with Main Character, especially after Senator Rufus Glycia's provocation. However, she's in Antony's debt since then.

In Chapter 9, Main Character accompanies Antony to the theater in the Aventine to watch the bawdy performance mocking the conflict between Caesar and Pompey. In the premium scene they can break into empty Basilica together. Even if she chooses to be intimate with him, they'll be interrupted.

Later, serving as the host of the games, Antony announces the Conquered King, who is revealed to be Main Character's father. In Chapter 12, during the party at popina, Antony talks to Aquila about conquered King, implying that he knows the latter's identity, much to Main Character's dismay. At first, he tries to intimidate her, but eventually they both end with teasing Aquila.

In Chapter 13, Main Character accompanies him as the Vulcanalia host. If she chooses to join him during the parade in a premium scene, Antony reveals his and Caesar's purposes.

After the holiday, in Chapter 14, Antony patrols the city, then spots Main Character in the back alley with Aquila. If she tries to attack the latter, Antony is mad at her for risking both her life and his reputation as her patron. If Main Character doesn't try to attack Aquila, Antony is mad at him. However, he suspects that such a meeting wasn't a coincidence. If Main Character admits it, he warns her to be careful, because sometimes even he cannot shield her from consequences of her choices.

In Chapter 15, the relationship between Marc and Main Character suddenly worsens when Xanthe accuses her of participating in Cassius's plot against Caesar, even if it's not true. If Main Character romances Antony, he suspects her of manipulating him; otherwise, he's jealous that she treats Cassius better than him. In both cases, he's angry and chooses Xanthe instead. However, if Main Character decides to flirt with him during the games, he doesn't remain indifferent to her efforts. Later, in Chapter 16, if the player decides to spare Aquila instead of killing him, Main Character meets Antony in the lounge and shares her vengeance with him.

When she discovers that Syphax and Victus will be fighting each other, in Chapter 17 Main Character asks Antony to spare both of them. The most effective method is seducing him, and in this premium scene, she may choose to be intimate with him. However, it's possible to achieve this goal without the premium scene.

At this point, it's revealed that some choices are crucial in relationship with Marc Antony. If the player bought one or more premium scenes with him (in Chapter 9, 13 or 17), even without choosing romance options, there will appear an exclusive path in Antony's route, differing in some choices and scenes, and generally his more gentle behavior towards Main Character. The player loses access to this path if Main Characters admits having affair with another love interest.

During the games, Antony reveals his plan. Since Caesar fell in love with Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, Antony is afraid of losing his influence. He wants Main Character to join Caesar's inner circle and spy on Caesar for him. It reveals that today's fights were arranged this way to make her more prone to agree to his conditions. If the player bought one of premium scenes listed above, their contract is sealed in a more friendly way; and if Main Character romances Antony, he admits that he doesn’t like idea of her playing with Caesar instead of him.

In Chapter 18, he offers Main Character premium Egyptian dress, and wishes her luck. During the introduction to Julius Caesar, she can reveal Antony's intentions, which shocks him, but has no further effect. Later, in the exclusive path, Main Character reports to him what she noticed in Caesar and Cleopatra’s relationship. If she seduced one or both of them, there will be additional dialogue, and Antony’s reaction depends on the level of their relationship.

After Main Character's unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Caesar, she's imprisoned in gladiator’s barracks. In Chapter 19, Antony visits her in her cell. He’s mad at her for endangering both of them by her recklessness, but if Main Character romances him, he’s more worried than angry. Their further conversation varies depending on whether the player has the access to the exclusive path. In this case, Antony reveals to Main Character that he misses challenges and having power, he’s also less than pleased by Caesar’s playing king. In each case, Main Character can bathe with him in the underground lake in a premium scene, they also have another chance to be intimate.

This dialogue is the first point when relationship with Antony may be jeopardized. Telling him that it was always an act, or ordering him to go rot with Caesar and his ilk, results with breaking the relationship.

Later, when Main Character is dragged into the arena to fight, Antony accompanies Caesar in the stands. If she romances Antony, he’s worried; otherwise, he’s just angry. In both cases, he tries to reason with Caesar to save her life. If the relationship with him is broken, the player doesn’t get this scene.

At the end of Chapter 20, if Main Character in good or neutral terms with him, she can accompany Antony to the theater in a premium scene. The play reveals to be a political provocation against Caesar, so Antony intervenes in the middle. If Main Characters criticizes him for not being subtle as always, Marc says that he suits his work to the audience. He’s also aware that she conspires with Cassius and Marcus Brutus against Caesar, and depending on level of Main Character's relationship with him, he may tell it to her in nice or rude way.

In the Chapter 21, Main Character has to make sure that he will not interfere with Liberators' plans. If her relationship with him is broken, she is forced to fight and subdue him. Otherwise, she can persuade him to stay home that day. To increase the chances of the plan's success, Main Character can seduce him again under the excuse of attending shrine of Sol Invictus in a premium scene. However, even without intimate scene, Antony still stays home, wishing Main Character success in whatever she's planning. He promises to take her secret to his grave.

This scene is the second point that may jeopardize your relationship. If Main Character goes with Antony to the shrine but leave him naked and tied up, the relationship with him is broken. If the player wants Main Character to continue this route, she must either sleep with Antony, or not choose the premium scene.

If their relationship is unharmed, Main Character can later join Marc during his clash with Cassius. In this case, he informs her about Caesar’s testament, that leaves everything to his great-nephew Gaius Octavius. However, joining him breaks relationship with Cassius. On the other hand, joining Cassius doesn’t break Main Character's relationship with Antony.

At the end of the story, if their relationship wasn't damaged, Main Character has an option to live with Antony, or at least say goodbye to him. If she tells him that you have to rebuild your tribe, he's devastated and admits that he hoped you would abandon this foolish idea. If she chooses to stay with him instead, he invites her to see what Pompey's bedchamber looks like.

Syphax
Even if Main Character doesn't flirt with Syphax, Antony is fully aware of the latter man's feelings for her, and considers him as rival. He implies that in Chapter 7, saying that he doesn't like to share. Antony saves his life, because he doesn't want to hurt Main Character. However, he does it in the way that separates Syphax from her: after proving his innocence in Chapter 11, Syphax cannot return to scholae, but becomes a professional gladiator. Antony seems to be indifferent to him, although he's upset if Main Character admits romancing Syphax in exclusive scene in Chapter 17. Regardless of the answer, Antony spares Syphax's life.

Cassius
Cassius and Antony are total opposites, starting from their origins to their political views. Unlike Syphax, whom Antony seems to be neutral to, Cassius is his open enemy. In Chapter 13, when Cassius tries to convince the mob to his ideals, Antony mocks him, emphasizing the fact that the latter never had to sit in the stands in arena or stand in line to buy his own wine, and pointing that mob isn't interested in empty words, but in filling their more basic instincts, and you can't eat and screw words. He is also aware of Cassius's feelings for Main Character, even if she doesn't reciprocate them. In Chapter 17, in exclusive scene, he demands to know whether Cassius is her lover, and is upset if you admit it. After watching the subversive play in a premium scene in Chapter 20, Antony says that he knows that Cassius and Brutus are working against Caesar, although he doesn't want to interfere yet, because their next conspiracy might be better. After Caesar's death, Antony turns the mob against Cassius and Brutus. It ends with a temporary truce, but later, if Main Character decides to stay with Antony, he reveals that he's planning to do it again at the Caesar's funeral.

Sabina
Antony sees her, accompanying her husband Aquila at popina in Chapter 12. He notices her acquaintance to Main Character, but decides to not dredge up any of their secrets. Later, he allows Main Character to walk Sabina home. He seems to be indifferent to her, unless Main Character admits the latter to be her lover, what upsets him.

Victus
As Caesar's high rank officer, Antony is aware of the Catauni massacre and Aquila's triumph over the captured chieftain and his family, what he implies in Chapter 2. Later, at the end of Chapter 11, he announces the Conquered King during the games. In Chapter 17 it's clear that he knows that Victus is Main Character's father. However, it's strongly implied that he knew that earlier, when he referred to people which you haven't seen eight years, speaking to Aquila during meeting in popina in Chapter 12. Antony seems to admire Victus's combat skills, which he often emphasizes. In Chapter 17, at the Main Character's request, he prevents her father from killing Syphax in the last moment.

Delphinia
During Vulcanalia in Chapter 13, Main Character witnesses sacrificing white bull by the auguress, what starts her discussion with Antony about foreseeing future. She may tell him that her mother was able to do it, but Antony stays skeptical. In a premium scene in Chapter 8, if Main Character earlier romanced Marc Antony, Delphinia has a vision of her daughter dancing with him on a pile of corpses. In Chapter 21, if Main Character choose to stay with Antony, he says that we will make Rome ours, even if we have to dance atop a mountain of corpses to do it.

Rufus Glycia
Rufus Glycia is one of Caesar's most vocal supporters in the Senate, what makes him Antony's ally. Though Marc doesn't seem to like the latter's attitude, especially towards Main Character, he considers him useful. During the Ides of March, Glycia helps Antony to stir up the crowd against Brutus and Cassius. He's also the one who reveals Caesar's testament to Antony.

Aquila
Aquila is one of Caesar's legates. There is strong competition between him and Antony, who considers his rival as a brute with the political sense of a monkey, as he refers to him in Chapter 2. It's implied that Antony loathes Aquila even more since the latter became a turncoat in Chapter 7. In Chapter 12 Antony openly scorns him in popina in front of their acquaintances. If Main Characters chooses to attack Aquila in Chapter 14, and explain that he was abusing your friend, Antony isn't surprised at all, since knowing him, he's all bluster and malice. If Main Characters decides to reveal Aquila's treason instead of killing him, Antony strips him off his rank and exiles him to Germania, because death would be too good for him. He loathes Aquila, referring to him as rat or worm.

Xanthe
In Chapter 15, Antony chooses her to accompany him, because he intends to hurt Main Character. However, in Chapter 17, when Main Character gets rid of her, Antony is grateful, because although she had some bed skills, he wanted a real conversation. In the exclusive path this scene is a bit different: enraged Xanthe storms off of his estate, and Antony tells Main Character that he couldn’t enjoy being with the latter, admitting that he had a beautiful woman in his arms, throwing herself at him, but he couldn't stop thinking about Main Character.

Julius Caesar
Antony is one of Julius Caesar's most trusted officers, and considers the latter also as his friend. While Caesar marches to face Pompey's forces, Antony acts as his voice in Rome, what he emphasizes in Chapter 7 during his clash with Senator Glycia. In Chapter 17, Antony reveals that he's disturbed by rumors about Caesar falling for Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, and he worries about his commander's loyalty to him and Rome, that's why he needs Main Character to keep him informed. If she romances Antony, he shows jealousy of Caesar and his concern about her.

In a premium scene in Chapter 19, after Main Character's failed attempt to kill Caesar, Antony tells her that he owes Caesar's everything, and wouldn't easily sign off his death, even for all the power of Rome. Despite his loyalty, Antony is also disappointed with Caesar, who took most of his influences and luxuries for himself, as if Antony was another tool for him, and not a friend. In Chapter 20, when Antony informs Main Character that Caesar wrote his last will, she can fuel his suspicion, asking why hasn't Caesar made his testament official, because it wouldn't be the first time he's misled someone close to him.

In Chapter 21, Main Character can convince him to stay at home during Ides of March. Although Antony says that Caesar made him, and his shadow is better place to live than the gutter, she can ultimately overcome his loyalty to his commander. After Caesar's assassination, if she joins Antony, he reveals that Caesar left him nothing, making his grand-nephew Octavian his heir instead. Despite this fact, Antony honors his late commander's memory, arranging a lavish funeral. If Main Character chooses to stay with him, she witnesses him ordering servants to hire every paid mourner in Rome, even if they had to sell off every statue in this hovel (former Pompey's estate) to afford them.

Cleopatra
Antony mentions Cleopatra in Chapter 17, considering her as a threat, because if she whispers in Caesar’s ear, the latter’s loyalty to Rome and Antony himself may be questionable. In Chapter 18, he presents Main Character as a tribute to Caesar, to remind him that Rome should be his priority, and not Egypt. He doesn't address Cleopatra directly, speaking only to Caesar.

Marcus Brutus
In Chapter 20, in a premium scene, Main Character can watch a performance dedicated to Lucius Junius Brutus, Marcus Brutus's ancestor, renowned for overthrowing cruel king Tarquinius and founding the Republic. The play reveals to be a disguised innuendo to Caesar's reigns. Marc Antony suspects Marcus Brutus to be its author, and states angrily that Brutus was always a pretentious little nipple, who's traded on his ancestry for every office he's ever held, and would be nothing without his name. In Chapter 21 Antony admits that he's impressed that Brutus and Cassius actually have balls to try something. After Caesar's assassination, Antony goads the mob against them, what ends with a brief and tentative truce. If Main Character decides to stay with him, Antony reveals that the entire city is going to turn out for Caesar's funeral, and there is no better time and place to turn the public against Cassius and Brutus forever.

Octavian
In Chapter 21 Marc Antony learns the content of Caesar's last will. Initially, he's angry and grim, but if Main Character chooses to stay with him, Antony becomes more confident. He states that no little boy is going to stop him from taking his rightful place in Rome with Main Character at his side.

Trivia

 * He is based on the real person who lived in ancient Rome and the second Love Interest who is based off a real historical person.
 * Words about Antony's father as incompetent fool were said by Cicero, the same man who became target of Antony's stepfather's conspiracy.
 * After the Gallic War, Antony was promoted by Caesar to the rank of Legate, so he was Aquila's equal.
 * In Chapter 4, during the hunting scene, he tells Main Character that he would hardly be considered as more than her or Syphax, if not his military merits, because his ancestors didn't belong to the Founders of Rome. Actually, it wasn't entirely true, at least considering his maternal ancestors, who were Julii . Moreover, although his father belonged to plebeian branch of Antonii, this family was also considered old and quite prominent.
 * On February 4, 2019, Jennifer Hepler, one of the writers for A Courtesan of Rome, confirmed from her Twitter that she is responsible for writing Marc Antony's character.
 * Before his first appearance in A Courtesan of Rome, he was mentioned by Kamilah in a premium flashback scene of Bloodbound, Book 1, Chapter 12.
 * He states his family home was a townhouse in Suburra.
 * In Bachelorette Party, Chapter 10's premium scene where you watch movies with Diana, an actor portraying "Marc Antony" is seen if you choose to watch his and Cleopatra's tragedy.
 * On April 10, 2020, Pixelberry tweeted their #QuarantineHouse challenge, placing Marc Antony in House 1 with King "Liam", Gaius Augustine, Guy Ledford, Jackie Varma, and Lily Spencer.
 * On May 22, 2020, Pixelberry tweeted their Weekend Choices Vibes, characters who are featured in this post are Imtura Tal Kaelen, Lily Spencer, Damien Nazario, Sawyer Oakley, Ava Cunningham, Becca Davenport, Shreya Mistry, Marc Antony and Maxwell Beaumont.