The Reign of Cleopatra by Stanley M. Burstein
Book Description
Ambitious, intelligent, and desired by men
and Emperors, Cleopatra VII came to power at a time when Roman and
Egyptian interests increasingly tended to concern the same object: the
Egyptian Empire itself. Cleopatra lived her whole life at the center of
this complex and persistent power struggle, and her death
simultaneously heralded the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty, the loss of
Egyptian political independence, and the beginning of Caesar Augustus's
Roman rule in Egypt. Cleopatra's legacy has since lost much of its
former political significance, as she has come to symbolize instead the
potent force of female sexuality and power. In this engaging and
multifaceted account, however, Stanley M. Burstein displays Cleopatra
in the full manifold brilliance of the several cultures, countries, and
people that surrounded her throughout her compelling life, and in so
doing develops a stunning picture of a legendary Queen, and a deeply
historic reign. Designed as an accessible introduction to Cleopatra VII
and her time, this book offers readers and researchers an appealing mix
of descriptive chapters, biographical sketches, and annotated primary
documents. An overview of the Ptolemaic Dynasty is presented in the
introduction, and is followed by chapters on Cleopatra's life, the
reality of Ptolemaic Egypt, Cleopatra's multicultural Egyptian society,
and Alexandria's culture and conflicts. The narrative chapters conclude
with a section discussing Cleopatra's significance as a person, a
queen, and a symbol. An annotated bibliography and index are also
included in this work.
Who was Cleopatra? Who is Cleopatra? Viewed as both goddess and monster even in her own lifetime, she has become through the ages saint and sinner, heroine and victim, femme fatale and star-crossed lover, black and white. A protean figure, Cleopatra defies categorization.
Cleopatra's life story, gleaned from contemporary sources, is powerfully intriguing: Married four times, she seduced two of the most powerful men in Rome (Julius Caesar and Marc Antony), became the sole ruler of Egypt, gained legendary status for her lavish banquets, and chose to die rather than endure disgrace as the prisoner of Octavian, Caesar's heir.
This fascinating sourcebook documents what we know of the historical figure and also shows how she has evolved through the lens of interpretation. Arranged both chronologically and thematically, the volume consists of a series of readings about Cleopatra--historical, literary, and documentary--extending from ancient times to the twentieth century, from the European Romantics to the Afro centrists, and from Middle English to modern Arabic.
In her introductions to the readings, Prudence J. Jones provides helpful information about the sources, placing them in historical and cultural context. She includes passages both familiar and unfamiliar, some not easily found in translation. Suitable for classroom use, Cleopatra: A Sourcebook reveals a multitude of Cleopatras, raising as many questions as it answers about one of history's most captivating figures.
Asterix 04 - Asterix And Cleopatra by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Book Description
To impress Julius Caesar, Queen Cleopatra promises to build the Roman Emperor a magnificent palace in just three months. Of course, Asterix has to get involved. By the time his feisty group from Gaul have finished, they’ve outwitted the Roman army, too. (amazon.com).
