Marc Antony or Anthony was a Roman politician and general who played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic from an oligarchy into the autocratic Roman Empire. He was an instrumental supporter of Julius Caesar, serving as one of his generals during the Gallic Wars. After Caesar's assassination, Antony formed an official political alliance with Octavian and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, known to historians today as the Second Triumvirate. Antony was defeated by Octavian in the final war of the Roman Republic, the Battle of Actium, and committed suicide shortly thereafter.