Octavia, << ok TAY vee uh >> (69?-11 B.C.), was the older half-sister of the Roman ruler Octavian, who became the emperor Augustus in 27 B.C. Octavia married Octavian’s co-ruler Mark Antony in 40 B.C. The marriage sealed a peace pact that ended a civil war between Octavian and Antony. Octavia bore Antony two daughters, Antonia the Elder and Antonia the Younger.
Antony treated Octavia badly. He and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, had been lovers before he married Octavia. In 37 B.C., Antony left Octavia to live with Cleopatra. He divorced Octavia in 32 B.C. Afterward, Octavia raised Antony’s children by his first wife, Fulvia, in addition to her own children by Antony and her first husband, Marcellus. Octavia also raised Antony’s children by Cleopatra after Antony and Cleopatra died in 30 B.C.
