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I have always enjoyed reading about strong women and where else would you find one ? I found this little book at Kinokuniya for a mere RM7.00. Do not mistake it's size. It took me a while to venture beyond the Introduction and Chapter 1 purely because I found myself suddenly immersed in the Hellenistic era, an era I had shelved a long time back except for a brief period when I did the comparison of Alexander the Great during the reading of Iskandar Zulkarnain. In the end, I had to keep another reference open to check on the personalities mentioned in the book as I progressed. Yes, the book expects readers some background knowledge of Hellenistic Egypt. At times I read 2 pages forward and then 3 pages backwords! It's a small book with only 104 pages and I reckon that was why not much background information is provided on many of the personalities. You just have to research it yourself. By the way, I just found out that E-book is available on the internet.
Thanks to the author's warning that there is really very little or no ancient account of Cleopatra VII's reign - not even a simple biographic summary of it - thus had allowed romantic legends to flourish. What actually existed consists of little of the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stuff! History recorded that Cleopatra was the last queen of ancient Egypt whose defeat had given birth to Rome's imperial regime. Wouldn't that make it difficult for the author ?
While I had wanted to just write a simple review, I thought I might as well do more than that to justify my effort. I am sure a little more history would not hurt.
Thanks to the author's warning that there is really very little or no ancient account of Cleopatra VII's reign - not even a simple biographic summary of it - thus had allowed romantic legends to flourish. What actually existed consists of little of the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton stuff! History recorded that Cleopatra was the last queen of ancient Egypt whose defeat had given birth to Rome's imperial regime. Wouldn't that make it difficult for the author ?
While I had wanted to just write a simple review, I thought I might as well do more than that to justify my effort. I am sure a little more history would not hurt.
After the death of Alexander The Great in 323 BCE, Ptolemy, a commander in the Macedonian army and son of Lagos, one of Alexander's bodyguard, established the Lagides Dynasty in Egypt with Alexandria as it's capital. My other reference states that with that, his rivals for power viz. Cassander of Macedonia, and Seleucus of Syria, countered by declaring themselves kings of their respective dominions. Thus came into existence the three great monarchies that were to dominate the Hellenistic world until, one by one, they were absorbed into the Roman Empire, ending the ancient Egypt Ptolemaic period.
The Greeks practised incestuous marriages. While the crown had devised a system of exploitation, dynastic struggles, fratricidal conflicts were very prevalent. To cut the story short, Cleopatra VII represented a line of determined women who did not hesitate to exercise effective power in the place of inept and discredited husbands or sons. History of the period was written by the Romans like Plutarch. Details of earlier queens were lacking believed to be more due to lack of partners or adversaries of the stature of Julius Caesar or Mark Anthony who were of course renown Romans. Furthermore, the Lagides was simply a dismal kingdom and in most part a murky affair. Only when the Romans were ravaging Asia Minor did the intellectuals flock to seek refuge in Alexandria.
Cleopatra is said to be an illegitimate daughter of Ptolemy XII and co-reigned Egypt with her brother-husband (?) Ptolemy XIII., then a child king himself after sending their father into exile to Rome. In Rome he survived on the hospitality of, who else but Julius Caesar. The book labours to seek proofs of Cleopatra's co-regency, subsequent sequence of events including possible royal tutelage, fleeing to Syria , Roman civil war .....of Caesar against Pompey culminating in the death of Pompey at the hands of Ptolemy XIII's men. That proved to be a turning point for Ptolomy, Caesar and Cleopatra who had been waiting to claim her throne of Egypt.
While Pompey had been Caesar's rival, they were once colleagues. Cleopatra's entrance before Caesar rolled in a carpet (a means to circumvent the blockade on her by Ptolomy) evoked quite different reactions from him as when Ptolomy presented Pompey's head when mistrust instead of gratitude was evoked. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" came to mind. In Cleopatra, Caesar found not just a worthy ally........
Not all was well in the royal court of Egypt. Egyptian administrator like Pothinos, commandant Achillas and tutor Theodotos had other plans and managed to avert reconciliation with the Romans.. Caesar triumphed in the ensuing Alexandrian War with a little help from Antipater (father of future King Herod) and his Jewish contingents. He then installed the younger brother Ptolomy XIV and Cleopatra VII as the new royal couple. With Caesar's favour, there is little doubt on who would have been the more effective of the two. Egypt thus became a protectorate of Rome. Ptolomy XIII was presumed drowned in his attempt to escape in an overladen boat. His body was never found save his cuirass. Thus was Cleopatra's ascension to the throne of Egypt.
As duty called, affairs in Asia Minor beckoned attention, one wonders whether Caesar actually had time to take the legendary cruise up the Nile with the Queen of Egypt and his legions to Memphis. However, it was fairly clear what Egypt was to Caesar.
Cleopatra and his young king did get invited to Rome for Caesar's celebration in the year 46 BCE. It was rather unusual in fact as usually foreign monarchs would only attend as captives. However, it underlined the kind of relationship she had with Caesar and she did not escape the gossips, rumors of possible official decree to allow polygamy which among others, provided the republicans with concern. Caesar also adopted the Egyptian solar calendar renamed the "Julian" calendar, imitated the placement of libraries in Rome to the Egyptian model.
Some writers find Caesar's liaison with Cleopatra but a brief affair. He of all people he ought to know Roman law did not allow a citizen to bequest a foreigner. So after the Ides of March, Octavian, his grand-nephew and later his adopted son became beneficiary. His wife was childless. While Caesar did make a provision for guardianship of his unborn child, Cleopatra was not mentioned in his statement. Cleopatra's life in Rome seemed more of an uncertainty. Almost full term she decided to escape before any untoward incident developed and while on a stopover in Greece, her child, Caesarion was born. Unfortunately, in spite of Mark Antony's argument in the senate, Roman law prevailed - child born of a foreign woman could not be legitimate and Caesar's clause in his statement regarding his future child was insufficient to give recognition to the newborn Caesar. Thus was the fate of Cleopatra.
Being the woman that she was, upon her return to Alexandria, she got rid of the 15 year old co-regent and became sole sovereign to avoid the recurrence of her earlier situation with Ptolomy XIII.. Even with a young child she did not need a husband as most queens did in those days. Caesar had left behind 3 legions and another one of unknown origin to keep order in Egypt. Together she went on to restore the Legide Kingdom.
It was not an easy time in the region. Natural disaster in Egypt, conspiracy involving Caesar's assassins, the republicans, the Parthians' support of anti-Caesarians in Asia Minor, treasons, franticides, power struggle ....all make history an interesting read. As for Cleopatra, she acted only for the interest of Egypt. She got rid of her sister Arsinoe and the false Ptolomy XIII. Really? Remember, his body was never found when he was presumed drowned. As history would repeat itself, Mark Anthony too met his Aphrodite in Cleopatra. While many thought that Cleopatra's influence would weaken him, in reality it was quite the opposite. When his wife, Fulvia died, Anthony married Octavian's sister, Octavia. While he was taken busy in Rome, Cleopatra bored his twins - a boy and a girl. She was left to fend for herself again for 3.5 years during which she succeeded in resurrecting a large part of what was the Legide Empire of her forebears. Nevertheless, it is said that this was made possible by the previlege relation she had with a leader of the only power of the world of that time. Nevertheless, no matter how much she would have liked Judea, it was returned to Herod after the Parthians were pushed back.
Antony, on the other hand, went on to balance on a tight rope where Cleopatra and Octavia were concern. In fact Plutarch may have even be an accessory to the propaganda against Cleopatra while Antony was again almost resident in Alexandria. Cleopatra recognised Anthony's brilliance and would no doubt see to it's advantage.At a ceremony in Alexandria, Cleopatra was proclaimed Queen of Kings. Caesarion, aged six, was officially recognised as Caesar's son and proclaimed as King of Kings and betrothed to be son-in-law of the King of Medes and granted sovereignty over Armenia and all the lands formerly held by the Parthians. Antony's son, Ptolomy Philadelphos, aged two, was made king of Syria, Phoenicia and the greater part of Asia Minor up to the Hellespont (the Dardenelles). His Daughter, Cleopatre Cyrenaica, was given to rule Cyrenaica and Part of Crete. Only Greece, Mecedonia and Asia which was under Antony's control remained under direct Roman control. This added fodder to the propaganda against Antony and Cleopatra back home in Rome....."treason" of Antony subjugated by Cleopatra. In actual fact the declaration did little in the way of a political organisation of the regions. The kids were young and it was a concept of sorts for an eastern government ruled by Kings/Queens of mixed origin in the hope of peace. But in spite of Octavian's triumph over Pompey's son, Sextus, in Sicily, the rivalry between Octavian and Antony would boil over. While the Romans were pointing fingers at Antony's relationship with Cleopatra, Antony's list of Octavian's mistresses caused more assault on one another.
Antony made grave tactical errors in an ensuing war, Battle of Actium, not only in making Greece as the theater of operation. When Cleopatra fled with her ships, Antony dumbfounded abandoned his ship to join her. Antony had also been affected by defections of his men and allies. He committed suicide upon hearing the false news of the death of Cleopatra but died in her arms instead. While Octavian wanted to take Cleopatra alive, she too was said to have committed suicide. The method remains a mystery. Two versions abound - by poison and the other entailing serpents. The latter seems to prevail for a good reason. There was a procession in Rome afterwards depicting Isis holding a serpent. Hence legend has it that that was Cleopatra. It is difficult to believe that she would have chosen such an uncomfortable way to die.
One wonders that Cleopatra would have chosen death on her golden bed and gracefully in her royal ornaments rather than the prospect of being paraded in Rome in chains. In the end, Octavian gave her a royal funeral and her remains placed beside those of Antony. A Greek papyrus dated 35 gave what I think an accurate epithet , "she who loves her country".
Caesarion, who had fled to Sudan was later put to death. The Cleopatra Selena married a Numidian Prince Juba and became Queen of Mauritania. Her son became the last of the Ptolomies when he was assassinated by his own cousin, Caligula., the 3rd Roman Emperor. As for the two sons by Antony, they were entrusted to Octavia for their education. Nothing much is known of them afterwards. He had already killed Anthony's other son by his other wife. I doubt that Octavian would have allowed them to mature and create problems for him. Other source mentions that they could have died of illness.......
As you very well know, Octavian went on to start the Dynastic Roman Emperor with the name Augustus.
The book goes on to tabulate various ancient texts regarding the charm and aura that was Cleopatra's. as penned by various scribes like Plutach, Horace and Flavius no matter how one sided some of them may be.
Cleopatra is said to be an illegitimate daughter of Ptolemy XII and co-reigned Egypt with her brother-husband (?) Ptolemy XIII., then a child king himself after sending their father into exile to Rome. In Rome he survived on the hospitality of, who else but Julius Caesar. The book labours to seek proofs of Cleopatra's co-regency, subsequent sequence of events including possible royal tutelage, fleeing to Syria , Roman civil war .....of Caesar against Pompey culminating in the death of Pompey at the hands of Ptolemy XIII's men. That proved to be a turning point for Ptolomy, Caesar and Cleopatra who had been waiting to claim her throne of Egypt.
While Pompey had been Caesar's rival, they were once colleagues. Cleopatra's entrance before Caesar rolled in a carpet (a means to circumvent the blockade on her by Ptolomy) evoked quite different reactions from him as when Ptolomy presented Pompey's head when mistrust instead of gratitude was evoked. "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts" came to mind. In Cleopatra, Caesar found not just a worthy ally........
Not all was well in the royal court of Egypt. Egyptian administrator like Pothinos, commandant Achillas and tutor Theodotos had other plans and managed to avert reconciliation with the Romans.. Caesar triumphed in the ensuing Alexandrian War with a little help from Antipater (father of future King Herod) and his Jewish contingents. He then installed the younger brother Ptolomy XIV and Cleopatra VII as the new royal couple. With Caesar's favour, there is little doubt on who would have been the more effective of the two. Egypt thus became a protectorate of Rome. Ptolomy XIII was presumed drowned in his attempt to escape in an overladen boat. His body was never found save his cuirass. Thus was Cleopatra's ascension to the throne of Egypt.
As duty called, affairs in Asia Minor beckoned attention, one wonders whether Caesar actually had time to take the legendary cruise up the Nile with the Queen of Egypt and his legions to Memphis. However, it was fairly clear what Egypt was to Caesar.
Cleopatra and his young king did get invited to Rome for Caesar's celebration in the year 46 BCE. It was rather unusual in fact as usually foreign monarchs would only attend as captives. However, it underlined the kind of relationship she had with Caesar and she did not escape the gossips, rumors of possible official decree to allow polygamy which among others, provided the republicans with concern. Caesar also adopted the Egyptian solar calendar renamed the "Julian" calendar, imitated the placement of libraries in Rome to the Egyptian model.
Some writers find Caesar's liaison with Cleopatra but a brief affair. He of all people he ought to know Roman law did not allow a citizen to bequest a foreigner. So after the Ides of March, Octavian, his grand-nephew and later his adopted son became beneficiary. His wife was childless. While Caesar did make a provision for guardianship of his unborn child, Cleopatra was not mentioned in his statement. Cleopatra's life in Rome seemed more of an uncertainty. Almost full term she decided to escape before any untoward incident developed and while on a stopover in Greece, her child, Caesarion was born. Unfortunately, in spite of Mark Antony's argument in the senate, Roman law prevailed - child born of a foreign woman could not be legitimate and Caesar's clause in his statement regarding his future child was insufficient to give recognition to the newborn Caesar. Thus was the fate of Cleopatra.
Being the woman that she was, upon her return to Alexandria, she got rid of the 15 year old co-regent and became sole sovereign to avoid the recurrence of her earlier situation with Ptolomy XIII.. Even with a young child she did not need a husband as most queens did in those days. Caesar had left behind 3 legions and another one of unknown origin to keep order in Egypt. Together she went on to restore the Legide Kingdom.
It was not an easy time in the region. Natural disaster in Egypt, conspiracy involving Caesar's assassins, the republicans, the Parthians' support of anti-Caesarians in Asia Minor, treasons, franticides, power struggle ....all make history an interesting read. As for Cleopatra, she acted only for the interest of Egypt. She got rid of her sister Arsinoe and the false Ptolomy XIII. Really? Remember, his body was never found when he was presumed drowned. As history would repeat itself, Mark Anthony too met his Aphrodite in Cleopatra. While many thought that Cleopatra's influence would weaken him, in reality it was quite the opposite. When his wife, Fulvia died, Anthony married Octavian's sister, Octavia. While he was taken busy in Rome, Cleopatra bored his twins - a boy and a girl. She was left to fend for herself again for 3.5 years during which she succeeded in resurrecting a large part of what was the Legide Empire of her forebears. Nevertheless, it is said that this was made possible by the previlege relation she had with a leader of the only power of the world of that time. Nevertheless, no matter how much she would have liked Judea, it was returned to Herod after the Parthians were pushed back.
Antony, on the other hand, went on to balance on a tight rope where Cleopatra and Octavia were concern. In fact Plutarch may have even be an accessory to the propaganda against Cleopatra while Antony was again almost resident in Alexandria. Cleopatra recognised Anthony's brilliance and would no doubt see to it's advantage.At a ceremony in Alexandria, Cleopatra was proclaimed Queen of Kings. Caesarion, aged six, was officially recognised as Caesar's son and proclaimed as King of Kings and betrothed to be son-in-law of the King of Medes and granted sovereignty over Armenia and all the lands formerly held by the Parthians. Antony's son, Ptolomy Philadelphos, aged two, was made king of Syria, Phoenicia and the greater part of Asia Minor up to the Hellespont (the Dardenelles). His Daughter, Cleopatre Cyrenaica, was given to rule Cyrenaica and Part of Crete. Only Greece, Mecedonia and Asia which was under Antony's control remained under direct Roman control. This added fodder to the propaganda against Antony and Cleopatra back home in Rome....."treason" of Antony subjugated by Cleopatra. In actual fact the declaration did little in the way of a political organisation of the regions. The kids were young and it was a concept of sorts for an eastern government ruled by Kings/Queens of mixed origin in the hope of peace. But in spite of Octavian's triumph over Pompey's son, Sextus, in Sicily, the rivalry between Octavian and Antony would boil over. While the Romans were pointing fingers at Antony's relationship with Cleopatra, Antony's list of Octavian's mistresses caused more assault on one another.
Antony made grave tactical errors in an ensuing war, Battle of Actium, not only in making Greece as the theater of operation. When Cleopatra fled with her ships, Antony dumbfounded abandoned his ship to join her. Antony had also been affected by defections of his men and allies. He committed suicide upon hearing the false news of the death of Cleopatra but died in her arms instead. While Octavian wanted to take Cleopatra alive, she too was said to have committed suicide. The method remains a mystery. Two versions abound - by poison and the other entailing serpents. The latter seems to prevail for a good reason. There was a procession in Rome afterwards depicting Isis holding a serpent. Hence legend has it that that was Cleopatra. It is difficult to believe that she would have chosen such an uncomfortable way to die.
One wonders that Cleopatra would have chosen death on her golden bed and gracefully in her royal ornaments rather than the prospect of being paraded in Rome in chains. In the end, Octavian gave her a royal funeral and her remains placed beside those of Antony. A Greek papyrus dated 35 gave what I think an accurate epithet , "she who loves her country".
Caesarion, who had fled to Sudan was later put to death. The Cleopatra Selena married a Numidian Prince Juba and became Queen of Mauritania. Her son became the last of the Ptolomies when he was assassinated by his own cousin, Caligula., the 3rd Roman Emperor. As for the two sons by Antony, they were entrusted to Octavia for their education. Nothing much is known of them afterwards. He had already killed Anthony's other son by his other wife. I doubt that Octavian would have allowed them to mature and create problems for him. Other source mentions that they could have died of illness.......
As you very well know, Octavian went on to start the Dynastic Roman Emperor with the name Augustus.
The book goes on to tabulate various ancient texts regarding the charm and aura that was Cleopatra's. as penned by various scribes like Plutach, Horace and Flavius no matter how one sided some of them may be.
2 comments:
Thanks for the visit, meyerprints. You have a wonderful blog there .....everything Greek, I must say.
Genial brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you as your information.
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