Roman Perception of Cleopatra: Analytical Essay

Last Pharaoh of Egypt’ has left a legacy in the memories of the Romans, the Egyptians, Shakespeare, modern historians and the film industry. She ruled Ptolemaic Egypt for 21 years and in that time was heavily involved in Mediterranean politics and became infamous for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. It has certainly been difficult to ascertain; however, it can be concluded that Cleopatra was a highly intelligent, politically astute, fiercely maternal and capable ruler of Egypt. Behind the evident propaganda used against her, Roman historians, can agree that she was a skilled…. Although the limited sources exaggerate her as a shallow seductress. Shakespeare and the Romans failed to acknowledge her loyalty and dedication to Egypt, as well as her caring, motherly attributes; as revealed in other primary sources.

An important distinction to note is the diversity of perspectives that exist within the Roman perception of Cleopatra. During her final years and the reign of Emperor Augustus (born Gaius Octavius), that followed her death, hostility and hatred for the former queen was at its height. From this time - Augustan poets like Horace (b. 65 BCE) and Sextus Propertius (b. ~50 BCE) vilified her as an exotic seductress, writing that she was a ‘fatal monster’ and ‘whore queen’. Modern egyptologist Jaqueline Williamson suggests that ‘Octavian’s political need to consolidate his rise to dictator created our image of Cleopatra today’._____However, even they could not ignore her political power. The Latin poets also admitted in the previous poems, respectively, that Cleopatra ‘Threaten'd our power in dust to lay / And wrap the Capitol in flame’ (Odes, 1.37) and that ‘The city [Rome]…that directs the whole Earth , was terrified of a woman’s power and fearful of her threats’ (Poems, III.11.39). In an attempt to portray the queen as a ruthless manipulator, the Romans were forced to admit that she was ___ In truth, Cleopatra was a multi-faceted ruler, who learnt from her experiential education in a brutal family and volatile time period, and tried to use her sexuality, charm and political acumen to ensure that Egypt was removed from the Roman sphere of influence and obligation. Historian Don Nardo,editor for ‘People who Made History’, likewise, claims that Shakespeare’s ‘Cleopatra… is on the one hand selfish, greedy, and devious. Yet she is also able to… display courage, loyalty and even nobility’. The Romans and Shakespeare did not lie about her strength and____, but perhaps they interpreted her actions with the wrong motive – believing that her agenda was purely selfish when in reality, it was for the benefit of her people.

Luxurious lifestyle and charm

As time passed, Roman perspectives became further removed from the vitriolic propaganda of Octavian’s rule and the more sympathetic views of historians like Plutarch (whose works influenced Shakespeare) and Suetonius Tranquillus emerged. Her image as a seductress remained, however it is even clearer to ..see.. the true intent of her in their histories. Suetonius, writing in 120 CE, highlights how Caesar ‘would not let her return to Alexandria without high titles and rich presents’. (The Lives of the Twelve Caesars) Cleopatra has accumulated wealth, status and power from her relationship with the dictator…. The Romans chose to view amorous relations and her charming personality as argument for her …immorality. However it is clear that these were political skills ….for the benefit of her kingdom. And indeed these skills proved fruitful. The ‘Donations of Alexandria’ saw Cleopatra and Antony’s children, whom she one day hoped would rule Ptolemaic Egypt, granted land controlled by Antony, including Phoenicia, Syria, Judea, Coastal Arabia, Armenia, Medica, Cicilia and Cyprus. This increased the power and influence of Egypt. The Romans, and by extension Shakespeare,

Cleopatra was clearly an intelligent and highly competent ruler. This characterisation is distinctly displayed in several ancient sources and is even discernible in Roman writings. Plutarch, A Romanise-Greek historian, comments on how Cleopatra ‘gave her decisions herself to most of them, including Ethiopians, Troglodytes, Hebrews, Arabians, Syrians, Medes, and Parthians. This thoughtful, educated gesture, noted by the Roman historian, not only highlights her academic capability through her knowledge of at least nine languages, but also the importance she placed on Egyptian matters, as even her forebears were not versed in Coptic Egyptian.

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At 18 years old, Cleopatra and her brother became the co-rulers of Ptolemaic Egypt after their father, Ptolemy XII’s death. Despite inheriting an Egypt plagued with struggles due to how Ptolemy XII ‘was heavily dependent upon the Romans and…their ‘friendship’ put an increased strain upon the Egyptian economy’ as Sally-Ann Ashton, a keeper at the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, reveals, Cleopatra endeavoured to return Egypt’s stability and implemented astute administrative policies. In 41 BCE, an Egyptian decree issued in her name commanded ‘Nobody should demand of them [The farmers] anything above the essential Royal Dues [basic taxes]’. This Cleopatra, who’s intellectual merit was alluded to by Roman historians (albeit underneath propagandistic sentiments), was actively concerned for her people’s welfare – as evident in her fair and just actions towards the farmers of Egypt.

Christian historian, John, Bishop of Nikiu, further contributes to this idea when he comments in ‘The Chronicle’ (c. 690 CE) that ‘She constructed a canal to the sea… Now the city was formerly without access to water, but she brought all the water it required…She executed all these works in vigilant care for the well-being of the city’. ……There is no mistaking that the general consensus in the ancient world agreed with the Romans’ belief in Cleopatra’s ingenuity and

An aspect of Cleopatra’s life that the Romans and Shakespeare never presented was her role as a matriarch. In an attempt to portray the queen as a ‘harlot’ with an overly luxurious and careless lifestyle, they wholly overlooked her fiercely maternalistic protection of her children and country. Cleopatra and her son, Caesarion’s, depiction in the Temple of Hathor at Denderah, reveals a queen who strived to appear motherly and caring. In the relief, Cleopatra and Caesarion, her child borne to Caesar in 47 BCE, are represented as pharaohs. Cleopatra performs sacrificial rites for Ammon Ra, Osiris and Horus and introduces her son to the family of gods as the Goddess Hathor, the wet-nurse of Horus, welcomes them. This dignified allusion to her divinity as the ‘New Isis’ explicitly conveys to the Egyptian people that she is spiritually intertwined powerful maternal goddesses: Isis - protector of women and children, and Hathor - deity of love and fertility. Cleopatra also went to great lengths to ensure Caesarion’s place as the heir to the Egyptian throne by ingratiating him into the Ancient Egyptian Pantheon. These two actions undoubtedly proclaim that the queen was a compassionate mother.

This image of Cleopatra not only existed in Egypt but in Rome too. In 46 BCE, Caesar constructed the Temple of Venus the Mother (Genetrix), in which stood a gilt-bronze statue of Cleopatra. There in the new Forum of Caesar, stood a clear indication that___. However, the Roman historians make no mention of Cleopatra as a mother and ignore her nurturing character to dehumanise her.