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31 BC - Antony, Cleopatra and the Fall of Egypt /anglais
On 2 September 31 BC two superpowers - ancient Egypt and Rome - met head-on for the first and last time in history. The outcome was the Battle of Actium which would lead directly to the foundation of the Roman Empire.
In a compelling new chronicle brought vividly to life by moving eyewitness accounts, this book recounts the chain of events that culminated in the fall of Egypt and reveals the central charismatic personalities of Octavian, Mark Antony and Cleopatra who were responsible for it. Usually told from the Roman perspective but retold here from the Egyptian standpoint, the gripping narrative also explores the role of chance, human fallibility, ruthlessness and tragedy tha tlay at the heart of the power struggle.
Illustrated throughout with iconic objects from the superb collection of the British Museaum and evocative locations, 31 BC tells the dramatic story of a defining momen which would change the course of history.
In a compelling new chronicle brought vividly to life by moving eyewitness accounts, this book recounts the chain of events that culminated in the fall of Egypt and reveals the central charismatic personalities of Octavian, Mark Antony and Cleopatra who were responsible for it. Usually told from the Roman perspective but retold here from the Egyptian standpoint, the gripping narrative also explores the role of chance, human fallibility, ruthlessness and tragedy tha tlay at the heart of the power struggle.
Illustrated throughout with iconic objects from the superb collection of the British Museaum and evocative locations, 31 BC tells the dramatic story of a defining momen which would change the course of history.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
184 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
49 people want to read
About the author
David Stuttard
32 books17 followersDavid Stuttard is a British theatre director, classical scholar, translator, lecturer on classical literature and history, and author, primarily of historical works on the ancient world.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 14, 2018
The excavation of events and detailing of Cleopatra's political prowess is fantastic. I particularly enjoyed the glimpse into Marc Antony's psychosis and a more personal examination of his war of egos/might with Octavian. Straightforward, fascinating read.
January 20, 2023
Glossy, pretty and with a considerable amount of information regarding the end of Egypt as an autonomous power. It has a good text for the general reader, light; with some notes and references, images on almost every page which makes this book a nice introduction to the subject. Focusing on the fascinating character of Cleopatra, a true pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty…and as such, ruthless, bright strategical and political acumen and also a woman who tried to increase the power of Egypt to the old glory days.
It also tries to show the events through the point of view of the Egyptians and not from the Roman perspective, and one of the confessed objectives is to avoid prejudices that the sources might incur when describing events or to be overly romantic.
Unfortunately the bias is there…but now clearly favoring Cleopatra; all the less than flattering mentions regarding her foes are kept (describing them as unctuous, etc), or allies (Antony doesn’t look really cool in this book either). This title of this book might also mislead the potential buyer because it is not actually about 31 BC, but all the main events that led to the integration of Egypt in the Roman Empire; just as an example there is more information regarding the siege of Alexandria by forces loyal to Ptolomy XIII against Caesar and Cleopatra than about Actium.
The images are quite awesome for a museum visitor’s book. Fantastic images of coins, statuary, busts that are completely relevant and beautiful. Of course, some of them are unbelievably anachronistic and I can’t even imagine how the authors or editors allowed that an image of Trajan’s Column appeared in this book.
Interesting and well written. It is worth the money and time spent reading and appreciating the beautiful photos of artifacts and landscapes.
Review previously published in Amazon.com
It also tries to show the events through the point of view of the Egyptians and not from the Roman perspective, and one of the confessed objectives is to avoid prejudices that the sources might incur when describing events or to be overly romantic.
Unfortunately the bias is there…but now clearly favoring Cleopatra; all the less than flattering mentions regarding her foes are kept (describing them as unctuous, etc), or allies (Antony doesn’t look really cool in this book either). This title of this book might also mislead the potential buyer because it is not actually about 31 BC, but all the main events that led to the integration of Egypt in the Roman Empire; just as an example there is more information regarding the siege of Alexandria by forces loyal to Ptolomy XIII against Caesar and Cleopatra than about Actium.
The images are quite awesome for a museum visitor’s book. Fantastic images of coins, statuary, busts that are completely relevant and beautiful. Of course, some of them are unbelievably anachronistic and I can’t even imagine how the authors or editors allowed that an image of Trajan’s Column appeared in this book.
Interesting and well written. It is worth the money and time spent reading and appreciating the beautiful photos of artifacts and landscapes.
Review previously published in Amazon.com
May 12, 2018
Really good account of all the events that led to the final clash between Antony and Octavian in Actium from Antony and Cleopatra's perspective. All with the nice complements of the objects from the British Museum
October 9, 2020
Good introduction to Cleopatra and her relationships with Julius Caesar and Antony.
February 24, 2022
A fantastic look back at real events in history which reads more like a novel than a work of non fiction.
September 15, 2014
After reading the novel The Mummy, where Egypt and Cleopatra were a major feature, I decided it would be interesting to know more about this historical character. And this time I was looking to get the facts (or as close to them as we can get).
It's a very rare event when I pick up History books but this one, published by the British Museum, was delightful to read. It explains the events taking place over 2000 years ago, the clash of the Roman and Ptolemaic empires, in a way that grabs your interest and is easy to follow. I'll be reading more such works in the future!
It's a very rare event when I pick up History books but this one, published by the British Museum, was delightful to read. It explains the events taking place over 2000 years ago, the clash of the Roman and Ptolemaic empires, in a way that grabs your interest and is easy to follow. I'll be reading more such works in the future!
July 28, 2012
Very readable book. The authors do a great job of explaining the events leading up to Actium and their aftermath. You don't have to be an expert in ancient history to follow along. They also do an excellent job of digging for the truth. Where the truth is unknown, they explain that carefully to the readers.
Overall - a very readable and enjoyable tale of an event that changed history.
Overall - a very readable and enjoyable tale of an event that changed history.
January 5, 2013
Not the best biography, but a nice overview.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews