To all their arguments and remonstrances, however, Antony turned a deaf ear.
Cleopatra must be allowed to have her way.

On the morning of the battle, when the ships were drawn up in array, Cleopatra held the command of a division of fifty or sixty Egyptian vessels, which were all completely manned, and well equipped with masts and sails.

She took good care to have every thing in perfect order for flight, in case flight should prove to be necessary.

With these ships she took a station in reserve, and for a time remained there a quiet witness of the battle.

The ships of Octavius advanced to the attack of those of Antony, and the men fought from deck to deck with spears, boarding-pikes, flaming darts, and every other destructive missile which the military art had then devised.
Antony's ships had to contend against great disadvantages.