Pros And Cons Of Cleopatra

Carolyn Meyer wrote the book “Cleopatra Confesses,” published in 2011. Although this book is a historical fictional book, the story holds some legitimate truths and emotions could have definitely existed during the times of survival mode and obsession for authority. The book starts in the first century B.C and Cleopatra is the third children of six and is the one that is chosen to be the future queen of Egypt. However, when the Pharaoh King Ptolemy, is involuntarily exiled, the future queen is left to step up in her father’s place as the ruler of Egypt. The book is about Cleopatra’s confessions leading towards her death.

"For Rome, who had never condescended to fear any nation or people, did in her time fear two human beings; one was Hannibal, and the other was a woman" (Lefkowitz and Fant 126). During a time dominated by male rulers, Cleopatra VII Philopator (69 BCE – 31 BCE), the Last Pharaoh of Egypt, stood out among them all. With Egypt’s wealth at her disposal, she was “incomparably richer than anyone else” (Schiff 2). The amount of power a ruler had at the time of Cleopatra’s existence depended highly on the level of financial stability. However, wealth was not all Cleopatra was known for. She exhibited high militant leadership skills equal to that of her male counterparts to keep Egypt a prosperous country.

Whilst all three depictions of Cleopatra show opulence, luxury and a sexually proactive and powerful stateswoman. It is how perception of these roles has changed over the years which cultivate the reputation of Cleopatra. From a sexually dominant woman as bad and threatening thing to a shrewd leader unafraid to use all weapons at her disposal to ensure the strength of her nation and the continuation of her bloodline.

Almost every pharaoh-queen was named Cleopatra, yet only one is ever thought of, Cleopatra Thea Philopator VII, “The Goddess and Beloved of her Father”. Every moment of her life from 69 BCE until August 12, 30 BCE was a story larger than life, epic in scale, and over the top in its grandeur. As the last reigning pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Ancient Egypt, she is remembered for her ability to rule as a political genius and a strong female leader living in a male-dominated world despite all odds being against her. Firstly, Cleopatra grew up in the Ptolemaic palace living a life of luxury, yet her subjects worshipped and even felt connected to her as more than just their queen. Secondly, after Cleopatra was exiled by her incompetent brother, Ptolemy XII, she came back with an army of mercenaries and took back Egypt to be its sole and more qualified ruler. Lastly, Cleopatra went to any means to secure her power and to ensure her nation’s financial and political strength; therefore what started off as a strategic alliance with Rome slowly became her dominance over most of the ancient world.

Cleopatra, Greek queen of Egypt, was born at the beginning of 69 B.C and one of the few women rulers in ancient Egypt. Her father was Ptolemy XII And Cleopatra was the last pharaoh in Egypt. She is known as clever, covetous, skilled, beguiling and manipulative. Cleopatra’s physical features are not certain and there is not enough information about her profile. “The colour of her eyes and of her hair is not known; nor can it be said whether her skin was white as alabaster, like that of many of her Macedonian fellow countrywomen, or whether it had that olive tone so often observed amongst the Greeks. Even her beauty, or rather the degree of her beauty, is not clearly defined.” Cleopatra was born at the finish of the Ptolemaic dynasty, because,

In the world of popular culture, Cleopatra VII is regarded as a woman with heavy eye makeup, a thing of beauty, someone with power sourced from her looks. However, the Cleopatra that history recalls is one of deadly determination and dedication, a teenager with a thirst for power, then a woman with a goal to keep Egypt out of the Roman Empire’s reach. Throughout her life as a leader, Cleopatra VII faced many difficulties, each one of which she met with an intricate strategy that showcase her deep knowledge of the politics and governance of the world around her. As she faced misogyny, bias and turmoil in both her civil and personal life, Cleopatra remained a capable and resilient leader of an imminently crumbling Egypt, and she defied all stereotypes

Brennan, Patricia. "The Book on the Egyptian Queen." The Washington Post, 32 May 1999, ppy 07.

Cleopatra Cleopatra was a young queen in the Egyptian age of history and was the last Ptolemie to rule Egypt. She dethroned her brother to become queen and allied with Caesar, she also reigned from 51-30 B.C. Cleopatra helped end the Egyptian Empire and helped Egypt become a Roman ally. If Egypt hadn't fallen and Cleopatra would have conquered Rome everything would have went to her and she would have ruled most of the world, discovered at that time. Cleopatra's goal was to keep Egypt's independence from expanding Rome. Personally I think the movie can be used to portray history.

Many know the name Cleopatra. Some only know her as the queen of Egypt. Scholars know her as the enchantress of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Many students have read the Shakespearian plays written about her affairs and dramatic suicide, but few people know Cleopatra VII the leader. Born in Alexandria in 69 B.C.E, Cleopatra was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in the Hellenistic Era. As told by Stacy Schiff in Cleopatra: A Life, she overcame many obstacles among leaders, her people, and herself within in her reign. Her intelligence, determination, and cleverness made her a memorable queen. Cleopatra’s stellar leadership skills allowed her to successfully rule Egypt in a time of decline and come through as one of the most memorable

I have recently read an amazing biography called, Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff. The book, written by a well-known author of biographies, tells the story of Cleopatra, the most powerful woman in history, who ruled Egypt in 70 BC. She is also the beauty, with whom Caesar and Mark Anthony fell hopelessly in love. Written in a unique way, trying to abolish stereotypes about Cleopatra, it is a fascinating novel, about power and love. It shows how these two mix and matched, while creating history.

In ‘An Ancient Roman Perspective’, Gemma Wilson’s account for Rome’s feelings towards the Queen is one of great hostility. According to Wilson, “at best, the Romans viewed Cleopatra with suspicion. At worst, they hated her.” Cleopatra was of coarse despised for utilizing the two public figures of Rome’s world, Caesar initially and then Mark Antony. Peter Roberts describes how it was Octavian that initiated Rome’s hatred towards Rome, relying on ‘sexual slander’ to tarnish her reputation. Many Roman poets continued this tradition of condemnation such as Lucan in ‘Pharsalia’, referring to Cleopatra as “Egypt’s shame.” Horace continues to embellish this image; “the queen, with a contaminated gang of creatures’ in his Ode XXXVII, referring to

For example, she has been viewed as a seductive siren and an evil temptress trying to bring about the fall of the Roman leaders. She has also been viewed as successful and influential female leader who wanted nothing but to see Egypt thrive. Point of view is an important term when it comes to evaluating Cleopatra, especially when it comes to the Romans. On the other side of things her own people respected her and created a positive aura around Cleopatra, Schoyer says, "Her Egyptian subjects worshipped Cleopatra as the divine goddess Isis, the caring mother of all mankind. To one Arab historian she was a 'sage and a scholar.' To an Egyptian dramatist she was a nationalistic heroine, defending her kingdom, Egypt against Roman aggression." (Schoyer 2). Romans other than Cleopatra's lovers, Caesar and Mark Antony, such as Octavian for instance saw her as anything but positive, Crawford writes, "... Roman propaganda, most of it originating with her enemy Octavian, painted Cleopatra as a dangerous harlot who employed sex, witchcraft and cunning as she grasped for power beyond what was proper for a woman" (Crawford 2). Plutarch, a Greek historian, gave a more positive outlook on Cleopatra making her become, "... a tragic heroine, with love of Antony her sole motivation."(Crawford 2). A topic that is incredibly controversial is whether her love for Caesar and Antony was

Cleopatra was a noteworthy Egyptian Pharaoh whose legacy and role was shaped by her experiences and achievements in ancient Egypt. It can be argued Cleopatra was a significant figure and her role and legacy was formed by her experiences, achievements because she stood for a symbol of power and strength in a time where society was male dominated. Cleopatra’s personality and early life impacted the beginning of her rise to power and in 51 BC she became sole leader of the Egypt. The key events in Cleopatra’s reign and the role she played during the alliance between herself and Caesar impacted on her reign. External factors informed her motives, which pushed her to make decisions during her rule, as it significantly impacted her relationship with Mark Antony. Cleopatra’s legacy had short and long-term effects; the consequences of her decisions pushed her to commit suicide, the events and choices she made during her life portrayed her significance.

Joe Smithens. "Cleopatra and Egypt." PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, 2 Feb. 2006. Web. 17 Mar. 2017.

Moohan, E (2008) ‘Constructing Cleopatra: ‘spin’ at Rome’, in Moohan, E. (ed.) Reputations (AA100 Book 1), Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp. 6-9.