Cleopatra

A feminist reinterpretation of the myths surrounding Cleopatra casts new light on the Egyptian queen and her legacy “A lucid and persuasive reinterpretation. Readers won’t see Cleopatra the same way again.”— Publishers Weekly “Where Prose really sparkles: her critiques of the cultural depictions of Cleopatra.”—Allison Arieff, San Francisco Chronicle The siren passionately in love with Mark Antony, the seductress who allegedly rolled out of a carpet she had herself smuggled in to see Caesar, Cleopatra is a figure shrouded in myth. Beyond the legends immortalized by Plutarch, Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, and others, there are no journals or letters written by Cleopatra herself. All we have to tell her story are words written by others. What has it meant for our understanding of Cleopatra to have had her story told by writers who had a political agenda, authors who distrusted her motives, and historians who believed she was a liar? Francine Prose delves into ancient Greek and Roman literary sources, as well as modern representations of Cleopatra in art, theater, and film, to challenge narratives driven by orientalism and misogyny and offer a new interpretation of Cleopatra’s history through the lens of our current era.

A feminist reinterpretation of the myths surrounding Cleopatra casts new light on the Egyptian queen and her legacy “A lucid and persuasive reinterpretation. Readers won’t see Cleopatra the same way again.”— Publishers Weekly “Where Prose really sparkles: her critiques of the cultural depictions of Cleopatra.”—Allison Arieff, San Francisco Chronicle The siren passionately in love with Mark Antony, the seductress who allegedly rolled out of a carpet she had herself smuggled in to see Caesar, Cleopatra is a figure shrouded in myth. Beyond the legends immortalized by Plutarch, Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw, and others, there are no journals or letters written by Cleopatra herself. All we have to tell her story are words written by others. What has it meant for our understanding of Cleopatra to have had her story told by writers who had a political agenda, authors who distrusted her motives, and historians who believed she was a liar? Francine Prose delves into ancient Greek and Roman literary sources, as well as modern representations of Cleopatra in art, theater, and film, to challenge narratives driven by orientalism and misogyny and offer a new interpretation of Cleopatra’s history through the lens of our current era.

Few personalities from classical antiquity are more famous--yet more poorly understood--than Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. In this major biography, Duane Roller reveals that Cleopatra was in fact a learned and visionary leader whose overarching goal was always the preservation of her dynasty and kingdom. Roller's authoritative account is the first to be based solely on primary materials from the Greco-Roman period: literary sources, Egyptian documents (Cleopatra's own writings), and representations in art and coinage produced while she was alive. His compelling portrait of the queen illuminates her prowess as a royal administrator who managed a large and diverse kingdom extending from Asia Minor to the interior of Egypt, as a naval commander who led her own fleet in battle, and as a scholar and supporter of the arts. Even her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius--the source of her reputation as a supreme seductress who drove men to their doom--were carefully crafted state policies: she chose these partners to insure the procreation of successors who would be worthy of her distinguished dynasty. That Cleopatra ultimately lost to her Roman opponents, Roller contends, in no way diminishes her abilities. "Roller tells his tale smoothly and accessibly....The resulting portrait is that of a complex, many-sided figure, a potent Hellenistic ruler who could move the tillers of power as skillfully as any man, and one far and nobly removed from the 'constructed icon' of popular imagination." --The New York Times Book Review "A rich account of late Ptolemaic culture." --The New Yorker "Offers a superb panorama of the society and culture of late Ptolemaic Egypt, with vivid sketches of the (remarkably vigorous) intellectual life of Cleopatra's Alexandria and the structural instabilities of the late Ptolemaic state." --Times Literary Supplement "Besides providing a compelling story and breathing fresh air into a heretofore two-dimensional caricature from history, Roller's 'Cleopatra' provides an interesting commentary on the attitudes still prevalent towards women who rule." --Christian Science Monitor

Few personalities from classical antiquity are more famous--yet more poorly understood--than Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. In this major biography, Duane Roller reveals that Cleopatra was in fact a learned and visionary leader whose overarching goal was always the preservation of her dynasty and kingdom. Roller's authoritative account is the first to be based solely on primary materials from the Greco-Roman period: literary sources, Egyptian documents (Cleopatra's own writings), and representations in art and coinage produced while she was alive. His compelling portrait of the queen illuminates her prowess as a royal administrator who managed a large and diverse kingdom extending from Asia Minor to the interior of Egypt, as a naval commander who led her own fleet in battle, and as a scholar and supporter of the arts. Even her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius--the source of her reputation as a supreme seductress who drove men to their doom--were carefully crafted state policies: she chose these partners to insure the procreation of successors who would be worthy of her distinguished dynasty. That Cleopatra ultimately lost to her Roman opponents, Roller contends, in no way diminishes her abilities. "Roller tells his tale smoothly and accessibly....The resulting portrait is that of a complex, many-sided figure, a potent Hellenistic ruler who could move the tillers of power as skillfully as any man, and one far and nobly removed from the 'constructed icon' of popular imagination." --The New York Times Book Review "A rich account of late Ptolemaic culture." --The New Yorker "Offers a superb panorama of the society and culture of late Ptolemaic Egypt, with vivid sketches of the (remarkably vigorous) intellectual life of Cleopatra's Alexandria and the structural instabilities of the late Ptolemaic state." --Times Literary Supplement "Besides providing a compelling story and breathing fresh air into a heretofore two-dimensional caricature from history, Roller's 'Cleopatra' provides an interesting commentary on the attitudes still prevalent towards women who rule." --Christian Science Monitor

' Wonderful . A fresh and lively take on a well-known tale' The Times 'A sensuous tale, richly drawn' Daily Mail THE UNMISSABLE NEW RETELLING OF THE LIFE OF ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST POWERFUL, ENTICING AND MISREPRESENTED FEMALE FIGURES - THE LEGENDARY QUEEN CLEOPATRA Cleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story. Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself. But while Ptolemy has the power of Egypt behind him, Cleopatra has her wits. And when the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realises he could be the key to her salvation - though courting this powerful man could cost her everything. Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, her beloved Egypt and finally command her own history? A powerful, sensuous new retelling, this is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal. It's time to meet the real Cleopatra. ' Vibrant and enthralling. A glorious retelling of one of the most misrepresented female figures in history' Platinum magazine 'The fabled Egyptian queen bursts into fierce and complex life' Caroline Lea 'Vivid and compelling' Anya Bergman 'Shows us the true Cleopatra in all of her pride and glory' Luna McNamara 'As glorious and enthralling as its heroine' Naomi Kelsey 'A dazzling tale writhing with tension like a desert snake' Rachel Louise Driscol 'Thrilling. . . brings the ancient world vividly to life' Cathryn Kemp 'Solomons breathes life into the myth. Gripping' Elizabeth Lee READER REVIEWS ***** "I was absolutely bewitched" ***** "This book was both intimate and refreshing, vivid. I felt both the sticky heat of Egypt, and the cool breeze of the Queen's apartments at night." ***** "10/10 a much needed exploration into one of the most infamous women in ancient history" ***** "It shows her not so much as the beautiful seductress we see in other stories but clever and young ruler, and later mother. I liked seeing her grow as a person and ruler, but what I enjoyed most was her relationship with her slave and companion, it added a vulnerable side to her character that we rarely see." ***** "Solomon's gift is to immerse you in an immediately believable world and to connect you with character from the start. I found myself constantly wanting to check details reading Cleopatra, fascinated by the woman coming alive before me." ***** "I raced through the final section, heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!"

' Wonderful . A fresh and lively take on a well-known tale' The Times 'A sensuous tale, richly drawn' Daily Mail THE UNMISSABLE NEW RETELLING OF THE LIFE OF ONE OF HISTORY'S MOST POWERFUL, ENTICING AND MISREPRESENTED FEMALE FIGURES - THE LEGENDARY QUEEN CLEOPATRA Cleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story. Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself. But while Ptolemy has the power of Egypt behind him, Cleopatra has her wits. And when the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realises he could be the key to her salvation - though courting this powerful man could cost her everything. Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, her beloved Egypt and finally command her own history? A powerful, sensuous new retelling, this is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal. It's time to meet the real Cleopatra. ' Vibrant and enthralling. A glorious retelling of one of the most misrepresented female figures in history' Platinum magazine 'The fabled Egyptian queen bursts into fierce and complex life' Caroline Lea 'Vivid and compelling' Anya Bergman 'Shows us the true Cleopatra in all of her pride and glory' Luna McNamara 'As glorious and enthralling as its heroine' Naomi Kelsey 'A dazzling tale writhing with tension like a desert snake' Rachel Louise Driscol 'Thrilling. . . brings the ancient world vividly to life' Cathryn Kemp 'Solomons breathes life into the myth. Gripping' Elizabeth Lee READER REVIEWS ***** "I was absolutely bewitched" ***** "This book was both intimate and refreshing, vivid. I felt both the sticky heat of Egypt, and the cool breeze of the Queen's apartments at night." ***** "10/10 a much needed exploration into one of the most infamous women in ancient history" ***** "It shows her not so much as the beautiful seductress we see in other stories but clever and young ruler, and later mother. I liked seeing her grow as a person and ruler, but what I enjoyed most was her relationship with her slave and companion, it added a vulnerable side to her character that we rarely see." ***** "Solomon's gift is to immerse you in an immediately believable world and to connect you with character from the start. I found myself constantly wanting to check details reading Cleopatra, fascinated by the woman coming alive before me." ***** "I raced through the final section, heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!"

An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author 'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. Kuang 'Lush world-building and lyrical prose burn brightly on every page' JENNIFER SAINT 'Addictive and entertaining' STYLIST 'An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON YOU KNOW MY NAME. BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall. Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves. Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children. How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived. From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of FAEBOUND and THE FINAL STRIFE, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.

An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author 'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. Kuang 'Lush world-building and lyrical prose burn brightly on every page' JENNIFER SAINT 'Addictive and entertaining' STYLIST 'An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON YOU KNOW MY NAME. BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall. Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves. Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children. How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived. From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of FAEBOUND and THE FINAL STRIFE, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.

'Wonderful. A fresh and lively take on a well-known tale' The Times 'Richly drawn . . . There's pomp and splendour in Solomons' sensuous tale, which is lush with exquisite places, heady scents, gold and glory, but also the harsh reality of death and bloody betrayal' Daily Mail From the international bestselling author comes an unmissable new retelling of the life of one of the most captivating and misrepresented female figures in history. Cleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story. Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself. But while Ptolemy has the power of Egypt behind him, Cleopatra has her wits. And when the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realises he could be the key to her salvation - though courting this powerful man could cost her everything. Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, her beloved Egypt and finally command her own history? A powerful, unmissable new retelling, this is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal. It's time to meet the real Cleopatra. ' Vibrant and enthralling. A glorious retelling of one of the most misrepresented female figures in history' Platinum magazine 'The fabled Egyptian queen bursts into fierce and complex life' Caroline Lea 'Vivid and compelling' Anya Bergman 'Shows us the true Cleopatra in all of her pride and glory' Luna McNamara 'As glorious and enthralling as its heroine' Naomi Kelsey 'A dazzling tale writhing with tension like a desert snake' Rachel Louise Driscol 'Thrilling. . . brings the ancient world vividly to life' Cathryn Kemp 'Solomons breathes life into the myth. Gripping' Elizabeth Lee READER REVIEWS ***** "I was absolutely bewitched" ***** "This book was both intimate and refreshing, vivid. I felt both the sticky heat of Egypt, and the cool breeze of the Queen's apartments at night." ***** "10/10 a much needed exploration into one of the most infamous women in ancient history" ***** "It shows her not so much as the beautiful seductress we see in other stories but clever and young ruler, and later mother. I liked seeing her grow as a person and ruler, but what I enjoyed most was her relationship with her slave and companion, it added a vulnerable side to her character that we rarely see." ***** "Solomon's gift is to immerse you in an immediately believable world and to connect you with character from the start. I found myself constantly wanting to check details reading Cleopatra, fascinated by the woman coming alive before me." ***** "I raced through the final section, heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!" , heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!"

'Wonderful. A fresh and lively take on a well-known tale' The Times 'Richly drawn . . . There's pomp and splendour in Solomons' sensuous tale, which is lush with exquisite places, heady scents, gold and glory, but also the harsh reality of death and bloody betrayal' Daily Mail From the international bestselling author comes an unmissable new retelling of the life of one of the most captivating and misrepresented female figures in history. Cleopatra, Egyptian Princess, grows up the favoured daughter of the Pharoah, hiding amongst the scrolls in the great library of Alexandria with her beloved slave Charmian, longing for the chance one day to write her own story. Then when her father dies, willing that Cleopatra rule with her selfish brother Ptolemy, danger stirs. As the young Egyptian Queen sails the Nile to greet her people, he plots to destroy her and take the throne for himself. But while Ptolemy has the power of Egypt behind him, Cleopatra has her wits. And when the great Caesar arrives from Rome, she realises he could be the key to her salvation - though courting this powerful man could cost her everything. Can Cleopatra save her life, her throne, her beloved Egypt and finally command her own history? A powerful, unmissable new retelling, this is a captivating story of female power and vulnerability, of love and loss, fierce friendship and terrible betrayal. It's time to meet the real Cleopatra. ' Vibrant and enthralling. A glorious retelling of one of the most misrepresented female figures in history' Platinum magazine 'The fabled Egyptian queen bursts into fierce and complex life' Caroline Lea 'Vivid and compelling' Anya Bergman 'Shows us the true Cleopatra in all of her pride and glory' Luna McNamara 'As glorious and enthralling as its heroine' Naomi Kelsey 'A dazzling tale writhing with tension like a desert snake' Rachel Louise Driscol 'Thrilling. . . brings the ancient world vividly to life' Cathryn Kemp 'Solomons breathes life into the myth. Gripping' Elizabeth Lee READER REVIEWS ***** "I was absolutely bewitched" ***** "This book was both intimate and refreshing, vivid. I felt both the sticky heat of Egypt, and the cool breeze of the Queen's apartments at night." ***** "10/10 a much needed exploration into one of the most infamous women in ancient history" ***** "It shows her not so much as the beautiful seductress we see in other stories but clever and young ruler, and later mother. I liked seeing her grow as a person and ruler, but what I enjoyed most was her relationship with her slave and companion, it added a vulnerable side to her character that we rarely see." ***** "Solomon's gift is to immerse you in an immediately believable world and to connect you with character from the start. I found myself constantly wanting to check details reading Cleopatra, fascinated by the woman coming alive before me." ***** "I raced through the final section, heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!" , heart wrung for the women whose story is forgotten in the plays. Just brilliant!"

An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author 'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. Kuang 'Lush world-building and lyrical prose burn brightly on every page' JENNIFER SAINT 'Addictive and entertaining' STYLIST 'An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON * Limited Collector’s Edition featuring foiled board design and designed endpapers available to the first print run only whilst supplies last* ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YOU KNOW MY NAME. BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall. Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves. Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children. How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived. From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of FAEBOUND and THE FINAL STRIFE, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.

An enthralling, groundbreaking reimagining of an iconic queen, from the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author 'Enchanting, smart, and subversive – El-Arifi’s masterpiece' R. F. Kuang 'Lush world-building and lyrical prose burn brightly on every page' JENNIFER SAINT 'Addictive and entertaining' STYLIST 'An extraordinary achievement’ SAMANTHA SHANNON * Limited Collector’s Edition featuring foiled board design and designed endpapers available to the first print run only whilst supplies last* ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– YOU KNOW MY NAME. BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. Your historians call me seductress, but I was ever in love's thrall. Your playwrights speak of witchcraft, but my talents came from the gods themselves. Your poets sing of my bloodlust, but I was always protecting my children. How wilfully they refuse to concede that a woman could be powerful, strategic, divinely blessed to rule. Death will silence me no longer. This is not the story of how I died. But how I lived. From one of the most remarkable and acclaimed storytellers of her generation, the #1 bestselling author of FAEBOUND and THE FINAL STRIFE, this epic and groundbreaking new novel shows us Cleopatra on her own terms.