In Cleopatra: Beyond
the Myth, Michel Chauveau attempts, as far as possible, to set
the record straight regarding the myriad myths and facts which have
followed this ancient queen through the centuries. Perhaps one of
its greatest traits is that it is a relatively short book, making
a somewhat complex and intimidating subject accessible. He does
an admirable job of such an arduous task, and I found this a compelling,
engaging and titillating book that left me wanting to learn more.
Chauveau is a former
member of a noted French archaeological institute in Cairo and,
at press time, was director of studies at L'Ecole Pratique in Paris.
While this lends a great deal of credibility to his work, the extensive
list of citations, in French, German, Italian and English, further
demonstrates a wide and varied research base for his subject. This
book may be useful as a secondary text by college professors, or
as a supplementary resource at lower levels. Maps are provided on
a front overleaf and following the Translator's note which helps
to orient the reader as to the time and place covered by this work.
A small note of caution should be considered as this is a translation,
and some of the nuances of the subject may have been lost or altered
in that translation. The book is made up of straight text with a
Chronology of the Ptolemies and a few selections from Ancient Texts,
as well as excellent notes, bibliography and index.
Chauveau explains early
on that the ancient accounts of Cleopatra's life are limited. He
notes that Egypt at that time was a satellite of Rome, and that
it is likely, in part, due to her stormy affairs with both Julius
Caesar and Antony that we know as much as we do. He also states
from the beginning that he is trying to sift truth from fiction
and provide a somewhat more accurate understanding of this complex
woman.
Woven throughout Cleopatra
are a great many details about the functioning of Roman society
which was so entwined with Cleopatra's rise, rule and eventual demise.
It is largely through Roman documents that many of the facts about
her have been verifiable. Some knowledge of this period of history
is definitely beneficial, and makes the understanding of events
much easier.
Cleopatra's family history
is detailed and her birthright to the Egyptian throne is established
through a long line of powerful women of the Lagide family. Chauveau
does, however, raise the question of her legitimacy when he describes
her as "daughter of the royal couple, fruit of a morganatic
union, or even illegitimate" (p. 9). From the very beginning,
her life is shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions. What is
not in doubt, however, is her intelligence and the fact that she
must have had a considerable and extensive education. She spoke
at least seven languages — Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, Ethiopian,
Median, Parthian, and Latin — at a time when even royal women
were not usually extensively educated.
The future queen's formative
years were filled with conflict and intrigue as her family tried
to come to terms with Roman aggression and she learned many ruthless
lessons regarding power and alliance during this period. It is also
suggested that once her father had died, she may have displaced
her brother on the throne, overthrowing the dying king's wishes.
Then, through a series of intrigues, Cleopatra ultimately became
victorious and took her place as sole ruler of Egypt. Part of why
this was possible is that she came to power during the Roman Civil
War. Caesar went to Egypt to plunder its riches in order to support
Roman military exploits, and it was at this time that one of the
famous "myths" of Cleopatra occurred. Chauveau maintains
that she slipped through enemy lines, persuaded a friend to wrap
her in a carpet and deliver her to Caesar's private quarters, where
she used seduction, intelligence and compassion to win him over.
This verifies one of her well-known adventures, and clearly demonstrates
a great deal of audacity and creativity on her part. Her relationship
with Caesar is also authenticated by this as he describes their
close relationship, her travelling to Rome and staying in his house,
and eventually Caesar's acknowledgement of Cleopatra's son as his
own.
That this famed Egyptian
queen was ruthless and manipulative is beyond question. Chauveau
insinuates that she had her 15-year-old brother killed so that she
could usurp total control. In another instance Caesar called for
her help and while she publicly refused aid, one of her generals
sent a fleet to assist him. By these means she could await the outcome
of the battle and denounce or support Caesar's actions — whichever
served her purposes best. While these traits are not unique to Cleopatra,
they are more often attributed to male rulers, but since she was
a ruler and acted as such, was she really any more remarkable than
her male contemporaries?
Once Caesar was killed,
Antony became a strong force in the Roman Empire, and he too turned
to Egypt to see what support he could garner from it. To that end
he summoned Cleopatra and her arrival at Tarsos and lavish display
flattered him immensely. Clearly she knew how to manipulate powerful
men. When he visited her at Alexandria and stayed for months it
was clear that he too had fallen for her romantically. Chauveau
clearly states that they were lovers (p. 46), and Antony also later
acknowledged two of her children as his own.
Perhaps one of the most
noted legends about Cleopatra is about how she met her end. Her
army had been defeated and her rule was clearly at an end, so friends
helped her to seal herself up in her mausoleum with her treasures.
Chauveau presents it as fact that Antony was told she was dead and
so committed suicide. He was, however, hauled up by ropes to where
she was concealed and died in her arms. Octavian, a long time enemy,
captured her and her treasure and confronted her with her past "errors".
Whether Octavian gave consent, or whether Cleopatra's friends managed
to help her without his knowledge, she did commit suicide. Literature
and Hollywood perpetuate the myth of her inducing snakes to bite
her, but it is more likely that she used poison. So ended the life
of one of the most fabled, and perhaps misunderstood, women of history.
The legacy which Cleopatra
left, regardless of the truth of the myths, is quite significant.
According to Chauveau, she "had reconstituted in large part
the Lagide Empire of her forbears, which had dominated the Mediterranean
world in the third century" (p. 52). Using her considerable
intelligence, beauty and ruthlessness, she accomplished what many
men before her had done. Perhaps because she was a woman in a time
of male dominance such exploits became the stuff of speculation,
and were embellished through the ages.
While Chauveau's work
clears up many discrepancies, it also raises more questions. For
example, did Cleopatra really commit suicide or was she murdered
by Octavian's minions? What would her role have been in a new Egypt
had she survived? Was she merely a lusty, adulterous manipulator,
or where her actions truly designed to assure the greatness of Egypt?
Perhaps these questions are precisely that part of Cleopatra's mystique
that will live on forever.