The epic story of two of the world's most famous lovers -- and the forces of politics, intrigue and ambition that shaped them -- told as only Colleen McCullough can. Brutus and Cassius are dead at Philippi, leaving two Roman men to inherit the world. One is the twenty-year-old Octavian, whose brilliance, subtlety and political cunning give the lie to his small, sickly appearance. The other is Mark Antony, a man in his prime -- lusty, Herculean, hedonistic, proven on the battlefields of war, politics and love. At first glance, it seems no contest: Antony is the certain winner. But in Alexandria sits Egypt's queen, Cleopatra, mourning the death of Julius Caesar, yet utterly focused on attaining world power for her only son, Caesarion. In order to achieve this, she must seduce and hold in thrall either Octavian or Antony. Her choice is Antony, whom she sees as consort, war-lord and father of more children. No easy task for Cleopatra! Antony is first and foremost a Roman, an obstacle she must overcome before she can launch her bid for dominance. Antony and Cleopatra compellingly chronicles the events that inexorably led this star-crossed pair to pit themselves against Rome and Octavian. Passion and power, love and death, fortune and fate collide in a mighty conflict that shaped the world for centuries to come. 'enthralling' Weekend Australian