Augustus roused the aristocrats in Rome against Antony on the basis that Antony had been absorbed into Eastern despotism as opposed to Roman ways of government. Antony also named Cleopatra Queen of Kings and Egypt and declared her son, Caesarion, as the legitimate son of Caesar. He also gave out territory to her other children.

There was a propaganda war between the two which intensified due to Antony leaving Octavia, his wife and Augustus sister, for Cleopatra. This allowed Augustus to paint an image of Antony as a rejector of Roman morals which definitely would have been easy to convince people to turn against him.

Antony was seen though as a great man who had been led astray by evil Cleopatra because of his love. This is summed up well in Plutarch's Life of Mark Antony passages 24-37.

Based on what Plutarch wrote, Cleopatra was painted as a manipulator who brought Antony's downfall, with Antony still being held to the standards before he was 'corrupted' by her. We can only suggest that the people thought a similar thing.