The third act begins with a brief scene set in Syria (in southwest Asia). Antony’s army is fighting successfully there and securing that part of the western world for the Roman Empire. But the army is not being commanded by Antony. Rather,
Ventidius, who is Antony’s lieutenant, is leading the army. Another Roman soldier named Silius tells Ventidius that their army could easily conquer most of the Asian provinces (areas). But Ventidius tells him that they should not try to be too successful or be too ambitious. He explains that a lieutenant who performs more successfully than his own captain will make the captain envious or angry. And then the lieutenant will lose his position. The passage serves as a commentary on ambition. One should not be too ambitious or it will result in ruin.
The passage, however, also serves to comment on Antony. The Roman Empire could continue to grow bigger and stronger if Antony were out in Asia leading his army. And Antony’s business demands that he should go to Asia for this purpose. But Antony, instead, will go to Egypt. Thus, not only will Antony’s marriage to Octavia suffer because of that decision. The entire Roman Empire will also lose money and power as well. Thus, this scene also serves to explain why Octavius is later disturbed by Antony’s long stay in Egypt. Not only does Antony insult Octavius by abandoning Octavia, but Antony also becomes a weak and ineffective leader of the Roman Empire.