The Battle of Actium (September 2, 31 BC)

Octavian declared war not on Antony but on Cleopatra, to avoid the appearance of another civil war. In the battle Cleopatra sailed away and Antony followed her. After the defeat Antony’s army went over to Octavian, and in 30 BC Egypt became a Roman province. The victory ended the civil wars, and in 27 BC Octavian took the title Augustus and became the first emperor of Rome.