The Battle of Actium from The Story of Caesar and Cleopatra
Medium
Wool and silk, slit and double interlocking tapestry weave Warp: Count: 9 warps per cm; wool: S-ply of three Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.5–0.9 mm. Weft: Count: varies from 22 to 37 wefts per cm; wool: S ply of two Z-spun elements; diameters: 0.4–0.8 mm; silk: pairs and three yarns of S-ply of two Z-twisted elements; diameters: 0.6–0.9 mm; wool and silk: paired yarns of S-ply of two Z-spun wool elements and S-ply of two Z-twisted silk elements; diameters: 0.6–1.0 mm
Dimensions
400.6 × 359.5 cm (157 3/4 × 141 1/2 in.)
Classification
weaving - tapestry
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
147056
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
During the winter of 42–41 BCE, Cleopatra became pregnant with twins. The following year, however, Antony returned to Rome and prepared a long-awaited campaign against the Parthians. Yet Octavian failed to support the endeavor. Disappointed, Antony left Italy and sailed to Alexandria, where he renewed his relationship with Cleopatra. Meanwhile, the triumvirate disintegrated, and Octavian rose to power in Rome. Eventually Antony broke off relations with Octavian, and in 31 BCE civil war broke out...