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The Uses of Cleopatra Noel Lenski, University of Colorado at Boulder December 3, 2012. A Brief History. Family Background. Father Ptolemy XII Auletes (illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX) Mother Cleopatra V Tryphaena Ptolemy XI wills kingdom to Rome
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The Uses of CleopatraNoel Lenski, University of Colorado at BoulderDecember 3, 2012
Family Background • Father Ptolemy XII Auletes (illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX) • Mother Cleopatra V Tryphaena • Ptolemy XI wills kingdom to Rome • 80 Ptolemy XII accedes; bribes Pompey and Caesar for recognition
Roman Support / Dependency • 58 Riots in Egypt: loss of Cyprus to Rome + taxation • Ptolemy XII flees to Rome (with Cleopatra?) • 55 Ptolemy XII sent back to Egypt with backing of AulusGabinius • Daughter Berenice executed; “Gabiniani” remain as garrison
Cleopatra Takes the Throne • 51 BC Ptolemy XII dies; Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII assume power • By Aug. 29, Cleopatra removes Ptolemy XIII from joint rule • By Oct. 27 Ptolemy XIII gains ascendancy with help of his father’s ministers • 49 Ptolemy XIII agrees to help Pompey with ships and troops • Cleopatra flees to the Thebaid
Caesar to the Rescue • 48 Cleopatra raises army in Syria • Julius Caesar defeats Pompey the Great at Pharsalus (Aug. 9) • Pompey arrives in Egypt and is murdered by followers of Ptolemy XIII • Caesar arrives in Alexandria; takes up residence • Cleopatra returns from Syria; Caesar forces reconciliation between her and Ptolemy XIII
Carpet Bagging She took a small boat, and one only of her confidents, Apollodorus, the Sicilian, along with her, and in the dusk of the evening landed near the palace. She was at a loss how to get in undiscovered, till she thought of putting herself into the coverlet of a bed and lying at length, whilst Apollodorus tied up the bedding and carried it on his back through the gates to Caesar’s apartment. Caesar was first captivated by this proof of Cleopatra’s bold wit, and was afterwards so overcome by the charm of her society, that he made a reconciliation between her and her brother, on condition that she should rule as his colleague in the kingdom. (Plutarch Life of Caesar, Dryden trans.)
A Child is Born • 48 Ptolemy XIII’s general Achillas besieges Julius Caesar in Royal Palace • “Battle of Alexandria”: Library partially destroyed (Aug. – Feb.) • 47 Ptolemy XIII killed; Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIV made monarchs of Egypt • Caesar takes Nile cruise • June 23: Caesarion born
When in Rome • 46 Caesar celebrates quadruple triumph over Gaul, Egypt, Pontus and Numidia • Cleopatra visits Caesar in Rome; declared friend and ally • Statue of Cleopatra placed in Caesar’s Forum Julium • 44 Cleopatra travels to Rome a second time • March 15: Julius Caesar assassinated • Cleopatra returns to Alexandria • Elimination of Ptolemy XIV
Civil War • 43 Triumvirate constituted: Mark Antony, Octavian, Lepidus • Cleopatra sends 4 legions left by Caesar in Egypt to Dolabella • Cleopatra offers naval assistance to triumvirs • Triumvirs recognize Caesarion • 42 Battle of Philippi: Brutus and Cassius defeated • 41 Antony summons Cleopatra to Cyprus
The Love Barge • She came sailing up the river Cydnus, in a barge with gilded stern and outspread sails of purple, while oars of silver beat time to the music of flutes and fifes and harps. She herself lay all along, under a canopy of cloth of gold, dressed as Venus in a picture, and beautiful young boys, like painted Cupids, stood on each side to fan her. Her maids were dressed like Sea Nymphs and Graces, some steering at the rudder, some working at the ropes. The perfumes diffused themselves from the vessel to the shore, which was covered with multitudes, part following the galley up the river on either bank, part running out of the city to see the sight. The market-place was quite emptied, and Antony at last was left alone sitting upon the tribunal; while the word went through all the multitude, that Venus was come to feast with Bacchus, for the common good of Asia. On her arrival, Antony sent to invite her to supper. (Plutarch, Life of Antony)
Star Crossed Lovers • 41 Antony confirms Cleopatra’s position • Antony vacations in Egypt in autumn • 40 Antony leaves Egypt to settle problems in Syria and Rome • Cleopatra gives birth to twins: Alexander Helios (Sun) and Cleopatra Selene (Moon) • Brundisium: Antony meets Octavian; receives East as his province; marries Octavia (sister of Octavian, the future “Augustus”)
37 triumvirate renewed • Octavia remains in Italy while Antony moves to Antioch to prepare for war with Parthians (Iraq / Iran) • Antony summons Cleopatra, who comes with the twins • Major territorial distributions to Cleopatra begin • 36 Parthian expedition: Cleopatra travels as far as Zeugma; tours new possessions; bears another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos • Antony returns from disastrous Parthian expedition to Egypt
Dalliances • 35 Antony plans a second Parthian expedition • Octavia offers to bring logistical support but is turned back at Athens; returns to Rome • Antony aborts campaign plans • 34 Antony finally undertakes Parthian campaign but succeeds only in capturing Armenia • “Parthian Triumph” and “Donations of Alexandria”
Donations of Alexandria • For, assembling the people in the exercise ground, and causing two golden thrones to be placed on a platform of silver, the one for him and the other for Cleopatra, and at their feet lower thrones for their children, he proclaimed Cleopatra queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and Syria, and with her conjointly Caesarion, the reputed son of the former Caesar, who left Cleopatra with child. His own sons by Cleopatra were to have the style of kings of kings; to Alexander he gave Armenia and Media, with Parthia, so soon as it should be overcome; to Ptolemy, Phoenicia, Syria, and Cilicia. Alexander was brought out before the people in the Median costume, the tiara and upright peak, and Ptolemy, in boots and mantle and Macedonian cap done about with the diadem (Plutarch Life of Antony)
Fatal Delays • 33 Triumvirate expires – Antony and Octavian split • 32 Senators loyal to Antony leave Rome for East • Cleopatra and Antony move to Ephesos to constitute forces for civil war • Move to Samos, then Athens • Octavian seizes Antony’s will, declares war on Cleopatra • Cleopatra convinces Antony not to attack Italy • They retire to Patrai
Battle of Alexandria • 31 Cleopatra returns to Egypt and prepares to hand over kingdom to Caesarion and flee • 30 Octavian invades Egypt • Antony’s forces driven back • Cleopatra tricks Antony into committing suicide • Octavian captures Cleopatra • Cleopatra commits suicide (August 10) • Caesarion appointed king, but promptly killed • Egypt annexed by Rome
It was a pleasure merely to hear the sound of her voice, with which, like an instrument of many strings, she could pass from one language to another; so that there were few of the barbarian nations that she answered by an interpreter; to most of them she spoke herself, as to the Ethiopians, Hebrews, Arabians, Syrians, Medes, Parthians, and many others, whose language she had learnt; which was all the more surprising, because most of her predecessors scarcely gave themselves the trouble to acquire the Egyptian tongue, and several of them quite abandoned the Macedonian (Plutarch Life of Antony) Remarkably Learned
Antony went out one day to fish with Cleopatra, and, being so unfortunate as to catch nothing in the presence of his mistress, he gave secret orders to the fishermen to dive under water, and put fishes that had been already taken upon his hooks; and these he drew so fast that the Egyptian perceived it. But, feigning great admiration, she told everybody how dexterous Antony was, and invited them next day to come and see him again. So, when a number of them had come on board the fishing boats, as soon as he had let down his hook, one of her servants went beforehand with his divers, and fixed upon his hook a salted fish from Pontus. Antony, feeling his line give, drew up the prey, and when, as may be imagined, great laughter ensued, “Leave,” said Cleopatra, “the fishing-rod, general, to us poor sovereigns of Pharos and Canopus; your game is cities, provinces, and kingdoms.” Inimitably Clever
Adamant Proponent of Egypt Painted and gilded limestone stele dedicated to the Buchis Bull by Ptolemy V -Earthly manifestation of Theban war god Monthu -In 51 BC Cleopatra travels to Hemonthis to install new Buchis bull
Adamant Defender of her Children South wall of temple of Hathor at Dendera -Cleopatra and Caesarion make offerings to Hathor
Shortcomings? • Inescapably seductive • Unrepentantly extravagant • Savagely ruthless • Jealously petty • Politically shortsighted
For her actual beauty, it is said, was not in itself so remarkable that none could be compared with her, or that no one could see her without being struck by it, but the contact of her presence, if you lived with her, was irresistible; the attraction of her person, joining with the charm of her conversation, and the character that attended all she said or did, was something bewitching. (Plutarch Life of Antony) Beauty or Charm?
Bronze Coin: Cleopatra VII as queenMinted at AlexandriaLegend: ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ(Cleopatra the Queen)
Cleopatra VII: BerlinMarble, ca. 31 BC; probably found at Ariccia
Cleopatra VII: Black basalt statue, St. Petersburg, Hermitage
Written Sources • Cleopatra Cosmetics • Plutarch Life of Antony • Plutarch Life of Julius Caesar • Cassius DioRoman History • Josephus Bellum Judaicum • Nicolaus of Damascus • Pseudo-Julius Caesar Alexandrine War
Augustus Deeds 25. All Italy swore allegiance to me voluntarily, and demanded me as leader of the war which I won at Actium… 27. I added Egypt to the rule of the Roman people.
Horace Odes 1.37: Nuncbibendumest fled from Italy, like a hawk going after a gentle dove, or a swift hunter tracking a hare over snow-covered fields in Thessaly: chains awaited this damnable monster. But a heroine’s death was her goal: she showed no female shivers at the sight of a sword, and her fast-sailing fleet sought no secret harbors. Her courage was great: she looked on her fallen palace, a smile still on her face, and boldly played with venomous serpents, her flesh drinking their bitter poison, so highly she dared, her mind set on her death. Not for her the enemy ship, the crownless voyage, her role in the grand parade: she was no weak-kneed woman. Now for a drinking spree, now for a loose-footed Light fantastic, now is the time to pay Our debt to the gods, my friends, And spread a spectacular banquet. Before today, to bring the Caecuban from family storerooms was wrong, while the crazy Queen was still scheming with her Sickly eunuchs, her pack of perverts, To send the Capitol crashing and bury The empire: wild were her dreams of doing whatever she wished, the best Luck was her liquor. She sobered up When her ships caught fire, scarcely one unscathed, and delusions of mind nursed on Egypt’s wine were cured by Caesar with the facts of fear, his navy close as she
Vergil Aeneid 8The Shield of Aeneas she fled through dead and dying; her white browthe Lord of Fire had cunningly portrayedblanched with approaching doom. Beyond her laythe large-limbed picture of the mournful Nile,who from his bosom spread his garments wide,and offered refuge in his sheltering streamsand broad, blue breast, to all her fallen power. In the midst, the Queen,sounding her native timbrel, wildly callsher minions to the fight, nor yet can seetwo fatal asps behind. Her monster-gods,barking Anubis, and his mongrel crew,on Neptune, Venus, and Minerva flingtheir impious arms…There Actian Apollo watched the war,and o'er it stretched his bow… The vanquished Queen made prayer to all the winds, and more and more flung out the swelling sail: on wind-swept wave
Portland VaseCameo Glass, British Museum Octavian Antony Eros Octavia Anton Venus Cleopatra
Stacy Schiff, Cleopatra: A Life (2011) In “Cleopatra: A Life,” Ms. Schiff strips away the accretions of myth that have built up around the Egyptian queen and plucks off the imaginative embroideringsof Shakespeare, Shaw and Elizabeth Taylor. Instead of the stereotypes of the “whore queen,” Ms. Schiff depicts a “fiery wisp of a girl” who grows up to become an enterprising politician: not so much a great beauty as a charismatic and capable woman, smart, saucy, funny and highly competent, a ruler seen by many of her subjects as a “beneficent guardian” with good intentions and a “commitment to justice.”
