Two titanic personages and two of the greatest world empires become entangled in this magnificent drama of love and war. The Roman leader Mark Antony should be ruling the eastern Roman Empire, but the seductive, cunning Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has captured all of his attention. Octavius has become Ceasar and believes that Antony has neglected his duties and left Rome vulnerable. Tensions mount and the rift escalates until their armies clash. Blinded by his passion for Cleopatra Antony is unable to meet his responsibilities, unable to choose between an empire and love. Their irresistible attraction causes each to make ruinous decisions which lead irretrievably to despair and defeat. Spanning a ten-year period, this bold, splendid tragedy ranks among Shakespeare's greatest achievements.