Cleopatra
For thousands of years Cleopatra has been portrayed as a beautiful seductress with goddess-like looks but many historians have their own interpretations of Cleopatra based on tainted information. Cleopatra is not what todays society makes her out to be, she has been transformed from a power hungry, foreign queen using all means possible to extend her power, including exploiting her sexuality. “It is so hard to find out the truth…the process of time obscures the truth of former times.” - Plutarch
51- 31 BC, a time where men dominated the regions of the world and Rome was a dominant power in the Mediterranean Cleopatra rose to power through the throne of Egypt. Unlike the majority of women during this time period Cleopatra had an extensive amount of political knowledge and abilities, she was determined to fight against opposing threats, succeed her father, and keep Egypt Independent. Pharaoh or not Cleopatra being a women gave her a disadvantage in a world of men, she had to do what she could to gain authority. “Were she not a woman she would be considered an intellectual… In obtaining her objectives, she has been known to use torture, poison and even her own sexual talents” -Canidius. Cleopatra used seduction, manipulation and charm to combine forces with Caesar and later Mark Antony.
Like many historians Plutarch portrays Cleopatra as an intelligent and strong woman in both Life of Caesar and Antony. He seems to be objective but portrays her as a scheming power-hungry woman at times and at other times a heroine with the great art of manipulation and charm. “The charm of her conversation, and character that attended all she said was something bewitching”. Egypt in danger of being conquered by Rome Cleopatra used her charm to quickly captivate and gain Caesar's trust even to the extent of becoming lovers stopping the downfall of Egypt. Cleopatra began to be viewed as an evil abusing manipulation to get what she pleased but historians such as F. Roddam view
51- 31 BC, a time where men dominated the regions of the world and Rome was a dominant power in the Mediterranean Cleopatra rose to power through the throne of Egypt. Unlike the majority of women during this time period Cleopatra had an extensive amount of political knowledge and abilities, she was determined to fight against opposing threats, succeed her father, and keep Egypt Independent. Pharaoh or not Cleopatra being a women gave her a disadvantage in a world of men, she had to do what she could to gain authority. “Were she not a woman she would be considered an intellectual… In obtaining her objectives, she has been known to use torture, poison and even her own sexual talents” -Canidius. Cleopatra used seduction, manipulation and charm to combine forces with Caesar and later Mark Antony.
Like many historians Plutarch portrays Cleopatra as an intelligent and strong woman in both Life of Caesar and Antony. He seems to be objective but portrays her as a scheming power-hungry woman at times and at other times a heroine with the great art of manipulation and charm. “The charm of her conversation, and character that attended all she said was something bewitching”. Egypt in danger of being conquered by Rome Cleopatra used her charm to quickly captivate and gain Caesar's trust even to the extent of becoming lovers stopping the downfall of Egypt. Cleopatra began to be viewed as an evil abusing manipulation to get what she pleased but historians such as F. Roddam view