Wife of the Triumvir in the East

Abstract This chapter analyzes the early years of Octavia’s marriage to Antony. Despite her reputation as a “good” matron in contrast to Fulvia, Octavia took unprecedented actions in this period. Although Roman women had travelled freely in Italy during the Republic, Octavia is among the first to live in a province with an elite husband serving abroad. The violence and insecurity of the prior decade of civil wars created this new option, and Octavia lived in Athens for two years, as well as periodically later on. This set a precedent for some Julio-Claudian women moving forward and the wives of high-ranking military and civilian officials. Elite women in the provinces are a feature of the empire. Octavia is also honored publicly in unusual ways—depicted on coins and honored as a divinity. These activities are analyzed as part of Antony’s intense engagement with Hellenistic political traditions.