A ruthless seductress? A brilliant political strategist? For centuries, Cleopatra’s life has been surrounded by melodramatic mystery and romantic myths, depicted everywhere from Shakespearan drama to Hollywood extravaganzas.
In this elegantly illustrated book, Ron Miller and Sommer Browning look at the life and legends of the powerful queen. At 17, she found herself sharing the Egyptian throne with her 11-year-old brother. Cleopatra’s romantic and political union with the mighty Roman dictator, Julius Caesar, made her one of the most powerful women in history. But she was a young woman who clearly had ambitions of her own—ambitions that did not necessarily include Rome. After Caesar’s assassination, politician and general Mark Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, and their ensuing relationship was known for its opulence and excesses. Miller and Browning also detail the tragedy and enigma of Cleopatra’s last days, as well as her portrayals in historical accounts, films, paintings, and plays.
