Octavian's victory over Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium is labeled the most important battle of Antony's civil war. It led directly to Octavian's final conquest of Rome and is labeled as the decisive moment in the birth of the Roman Empire. Despite fairly evenly matched forces, an overwhelming lack of leadership on Mark Antony's part and many brilliant tactical moves made by Octavian and his admirals allowed this battle to be an extremely decisive victory in Octavian's favor. This article will analyze the tactical and leadership-based decisions made by both sides. In 44 BC, Gaius Caesar was assassinated, leaving a power vacuum for the leadership of the Roman Republic. A ruling body known as the second triumvirate was established among the potential rulers of Rome: Gaius Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus. In 36 BC Octavian convinced the Senate to exile Lepidus. Shortly thereafter, tensions increased between Mark Antony and Octavian. These tensions centered on Antony's abandonment of Octavian's sister for Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and Antony's lover. In 34 BCE Antony donated the territories of Armenia, Syria, and Cyrenaica to the Egyptian Empire in the “Donations of Alexandria.” This donation represented a large fraction of Rome's eastern territory and was all the land that Antony was charged with protecting. Shortly thereafter Octavian convinced the republic to declare war on Egypt and Mark Antony. Preparing for Battle The following years saw minor conflicts between the two corps, during which both commanders built their own fleets. Octavian sent his admiral, Marcus Agrippa, to summon the Roman fleets across the Mediterranean. These fleets were mostly made up of Triremes, the standard warships of the day, and were equipped with... halfway... hip failures by Mark Antony. These decisions allowed an outnumbered and outclassed fleet to achieve an extremely decisive victory. It is truly a lesson in the power of good, strong leadership. Bibliography God, Cassius. "Roman History - Book 50." June 17, 2011. University of Chicago. October 31, 2011 .Loans, Jona. Livius.org. July 21, 2009. November 2, 2011 .Murray, Dr. William M. THE ACTIUM PROJECT. 1997. November 1, 2011. Shuckburgh, Evelyn Shirley. A history of Rome up to the battle of Actium. London: Macmillan and Co., 1917. Wiseman, Howard. Wikipedia. December 27, 2007. November 2 2011 .