Marcus Titius - Defection To Octavian

Defection To Octavian

In June or July 32 BC Munatius Plancus and his nephew Titius defected to Octavian. According to the ancient biographer Plutarch the two men changed their party because they were treated insulting by Cleopatra due to their refusal of her participation in the war. The true reason for their defection may be found in their opportunism. In the past they were friends of Cleopatra who named the city Titiopolis in Cilicia after Titius. But during the course of the propagandistic and military preparations of the war the uncle and his nephew might have increasingly doubted that Antony would win the war so that they changed sides. Perhaps their decision was also influenced by quarrels with other leading followers of Antony, Plancus’ relations with Antony which had cooled off and other reasons which were covered up by the propaganda of Octavian.

The two deserters informed Octavian about the content of Antony’s testament and the place where it was kept. They knew this information because they had earlier signed the testament as witnesses. The later Emperor illegally seized the document that was kept at the Vestal Virgins and found in its (perhaps forged) regulations – especially Antony’s confirmation of the territorial gifts to Cleopatra’s children and his desire to be buried in Egypt – further reasons to obtain full support of the senate and people for his war against Antony.