Cleopatra VII was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling Egypt from 51 BC - 30 BC. She had a reputation for her beauty and her love affairs with the Roman politicians and generals of the late Roman republic - Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
Roman Historian Cassius Dio (164-c.235) depicts Cleopatra as strikingly beautiful and charismatic, with an aptitude for speaking…. “being brilliant to look upon and listen to, with the power to subjugate everyone, even a love- sated man” He speaks admirably of her here, stating the mix of both traits makes her irresistible to men. Dio suggests that her presentation was not only a very conscious decision, but a well-tuned role in which she played. 'To meet Caesar, she entered the palace by …show more content…
At first, a mixture of passion and relief, he states her intentions (towards Romans) as so dire, they should celebrate her death “now we must drink… now, my friends is time to load the couches of the Gods with Salian feasts” (West, 2004, Horace p.28.). Then, with anger and resentment he describes her as a selfish and power hungry “with her contaminated flock of men diseased by vice, was preparing the ruin of the capitol [of Rome] and destruction of our power” because she had manipulated and verbally seduced men – (presumed to be Antony and other Romans) to become allies with her against Octavian. Like Dio and Plutarch, this suggests her verbal ability to manipulate powerful men leaving them “ crazed with hope” at the promise of “destruction of power”. Horace complimented her death “(she) did not have a woman's fear, fiercer she was in death, a humble woman in a proud triumph.” This determines that he thought she was brave in the way she choose to take her life, and triumphant in terms of her battle for self-preservation .
Conclusion : Dio characterised Cleopatra as charming and beautiful with an aptitude for words which she used for Political gain. Plutarch and Horace agreed her with verbal manipulation, but differed on her charm and beauty (with Horace not mentioning her appearance) claiming false pretence; a premeditated plot of a power–mad
Roman Historian Cassius Dio (164-c.235) depicts Cleopatra as strikingly beautiful and charismatic, with an aptitude for speaking…. “being brilliant to look upon and listen to, with the power to subjugate everyone, even a love- sated man” He speaks admirably of her here, stating the mix of both traits makes her irresistible to men. Dio suggests that her presentation was not only a very conscious decision, but a well-tuned role in which she played. 'To meet Caesar, she entered the palace by …show more content…
At first, a mixture of passion and relief, he states her intentions (towards Romans) as so dire, they should celebrate her death “now we must drink… now, my friends is time to load the couches of the Gods with Salian feasts” (West, 2004, Horace p.28.). Then, with anger and resentment he describes her as a selfish and power hungry “with her contaminated flock of men diseased by vice, was preparing the ruin of the capitol [of Rome] and destruction of our power” because she had manipulated and verbally seduced men – (presumed to be Antony and other Romans) to become allies with her against Octavian. Like Dio and Plutarch, this suggests her verbal ability to manipulate powerful men leaving them “ crazed with hope” at the promise of “destruction of power”. Horace complimented her death “(she) did not have a woman's fear, fiercer she was in death, a humble woman in a proud triumph.” This determines that he thought she was brave in the way she choose to take her life, and triumphant in terms of her battle for self-preservation .
Conclusion : Dio characterised Cleopatra as charming and beautiful with an aptitude for words which she used for Political gain. Plutarch and Horace agreed her with verbal manipulation, but differed on her charm and beauty (with Horace not mentioning her appearance) claiming false pretence; a premeditated plot of a power–mad