Antony and Cleopatra

Sextus Pompey, the son of the Roman statesman Pompey the Great, discusses with his ally, Menas, their plan to rebel against the triumvirs and seize control of Rome. Pompey is confident that Mark Antony will remain in Egypt and prays that the country is so pleasurable that he is not tempted to return. Without Antony, Pompey claims that Caesar is unpopular with the people, although good at raising money, while Lepidus is a flatterer and also easily flattered.

Pompey then receives word that Antony is expected to arrive in Rome soon, having left Egypt. While Pompey fears that Antony is a much better soldier than the other triumvirs, he hopes that Antony and Caesar will fight with each other because Antony’s late wife Fulvia recently rebelled against him alongside her brother Lucius.

Lepidus moderates a meeting between his fellow triumvirs, Octavius Caesar and Mark Antony. He encourages them to speak softly and not angrily to one another, as giving the people the impression that the triumvirs are in conflict with each other could destabilize their rule. Caesar accuses Antony of breaking his oaths and questions him about his involvement in his late wife’s rebellion.