antony prepared for another parthian expedition in 35 bc, this time aimed at their ally armenia. as he did so octavia traveled to athens with 2,000 troops in alleged support of antony. this was most likely a scheme devised by octavian to embarrass antony for his military losses. antony received the troops and told octavia not to stray east of athens. he and cleopatra traveled together to antioch, only to suddenly and inexplicably abandon the military campaign and head back to alexandria. when octavia returned to rome octavian portrayed his sister as a victim wronged by antony. she refused to leave antony's household, however, and return to octavian's in rome. octavian's confidence grew as he eliminated his rivals in the west. these included sextus pompeius and even lepidus, the third member of the triumvirate, who was placed under house arrest after revolting against octavian in sicily.