Detail of painting done by Neroccio di Bartolomeo de' Landi depicting the Battle of Actium, off the western coast of Greece, where Roman leader Octavian won a decisive victory against the forces of Roman Mark Antony and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. On September 2, 31 BC, their fleets clashed at Actium in Greece. After heavy fighting, Cleopatra broke from the engagement and set course for Egypt with 60 of her ships. Antony then broke through the enemy line and followed her. The disheartened fleet that remained surrendered to Octavian. One week later, Antony's land forces surrendered. Antony and Cleopatra commited suicide the following year.