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Cleopatra
Cleopatra, the last Ptolemaic Queen, passed into legend, and history traduced and maligned her as an infamous woman, given to sexual excess and capable of every perfidy.
The truth was quite different.
She was a woman of infinite courage and political resource. From the age of eighteen until her death she had fought to free her country from the iron dominance of Rome and to secure its inheritance for the son of her first lover Julius Caesar. It was right that she should be buried in Alexandria, for in her spirit and in her ambition she was worthy of Alexander himself.
The subject of biography and tragedy, Queen Cleopatra remains a subject to which historians are attracted two thousand years after her glorious but doomed life.
Had Julius Caesar not been murdered, Cleopatra might well have become the empress of Rome and all the Mediterranean world, living to see it ruled by a Julian-Ptolemaic dynasty.
The ‘Queen of the Nile’ was seventeen when she took to the throne of Egypt in 51BC. This ambitious young woman, initially married to her younger brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, watched the savage struggle between Caesar and Pompey, hoping that Rome would destroy itself in the process.
A politician as well a monarch, Cleopatra was determined to save Egypt from being overcome by Rome in its most Golden Age. Her political intentions were clear in her amorous conquests of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The latter was defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31BC.
Ernle Bradford uses ancient sources to piece together the life of the Queen, and reflects on portraits of her throughout history.
‘Cleopatra’ is a thorough biography of one of the most fascinating figures in history.
The truth was quite different.
She was a woman of infinite courage and political resource. From the age of eighteen until her death she had fought to free her country from the iron dominance of Rome and to secure its inheritance for the son of her first lover Julius Caesar. It was right that she should be buried in Alexandria, for in her spirit and in her ambition she was worthy of Alexander himself.
The subject of biography and tragedy, Queen Cleopatra remains a subject to which historians are attracted two thousand years after her glorious but doomed life.
Had Julius Caesar not been murdered, Cleopatra might well have become the empress of Rome and all the Mediterranean world, living to see it ruled by a Julian-Ptolemaic dynasty.
The ‘Queen of the Nile’ was seventeen when she took to the throne of Egypt in 51BC. This ambitious young woman, initially married to her younger brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, watched the savage struggle between Caesar and Pompey, hoping that Rome would destroy itself in the process.
A politician as well a monarch, Cleopatra was determined to save Egypt from being overcome by Rome in its most Golden Age. Her political intentions were clear in her amorous conquests of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The latter was defeated at the Battle of Actium in 31BC.
Ernle Bradford uses ancient sources to piece together the life of the Queen, and reflects on portraits of her throughout history.
‘Cleopatra’ is a thorough biography of one of the most fascinating figures in history.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1971
About the author
Ernle Bradford
107 books90 followersErnle Dusgate Selby Bradford was a noted British historian specializing in the Mediterranean world and naval topics. Bradford was an enthusiastic sailor himself and spent almost thirty years sailing the Mediterranean, where many of his books are set. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II, finishing as the first Lieutenant of a destroyer. He did occasional broadcast work for the BBC, was a magazine editor, and wrote many books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 19, 2015
Review: My fascination for Egyptian history attracted me to this book and I am glad to report that my choice didn’t disappoint me at all. The name of the book pretty much says it all (and that’s the reason why I am excluding synopsis from this book review)
Cleopatra is one of the most common names in the history books when it comes to Egyptian and Roman history. Usually her character has been described as a seductress who used her wiles for political aspirations. But sex hardly ever defines a person. This book is a clear representation of the same. The Queen of Nile has been brought to life through each chapter detailing out the political life of Egyptian and Roman empire. The author presents a depth to the famous character of Cleopatra with the help of a thorough use of ancient and modern historical resources which manages to capture the interest of the reader as well maintain it throughout the book. Each chapter is well thought out and presented and that gives this book an extra edge. If you think it is just about Cleopatra you are thoroughly mistaken. The entire book is a detailed narrative of political journey from the eyes of Egyptian and Roman history and clearly brings out how closely entwined both are.
Being a historical account, some of the language presented in the book is quite tough to understand and follow through which does make it a difficult read. However, I must applaud the author for his attempt to keep the book as simple as possible for a reader of all genre. However, a more pictorial illustration of the book will definitely bring not only color to the book, but also can bring a change in the pace of reading. Having said that, I would recommend a use of different image for the cover page since the complicated image contradicts the simplicity of the title.
My opinion: A definite read for all historical fanatics out there.
My rating: 3 out of 5.
Cleopatra is one of the most common names in the history books when it comes to Egyptian and Roman history. Usually her character has been described as a seductress who used her wiles for political aspirations. But sex hardly ever defines a person. This book is a clear representation of the same. The Queen of Nile has been brought to life through each chapter detailing out the political life of Egyptian and Roman empire. The author presents a depth to the famous character of Cleopatra with the help of a thorough use of ancient and modern historical resources which manages to capture the interest of the reader as well maintain it throughout the book. Each chapter is well thought out and presented and that gives this book an extra edge. If you think it is just about Cleopatra you are thoroughly mistaken. The entire book is a detailed narrative of political journey from the eyes of Egyptian and Roman history and clearly brings out how closely entwined both are.
Being a historical account, some of the language presented in the book is quite tough to understand and follow through which does make it a difficult read. However, I must applaud the author for his attempt to keep the book as simple as possible for a reader of all genre. However, a more pictorial illustration of the book will definitely bring not only color to the book, but also can bring a change in the pace of reading. Having said that, I would recommend a use of different image for the cover page since the complicated image contradicts the simplicity of the title.
My opinion: A definite read for all historical fanatics out there.
My rating: 3 out of 5.
January 4, 2016
Cleopatra by Ernle Bradford gives a decent overview of the last Ptolemaic queen of Egypt, insight into who she really was, and her relationships first with Julius Caesar and later with Mark Anothony.
There's no doubt that Cleopatra was a powerful woman, with a keen political mind, who would do anything to secure the future of her dynasty - ultimately to no avail.
*I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
There's no doubt that Cleopatra was a powerful woman, with a keen political mind, who would do anything to secure the future of her dynasty - ultimately to no avail.
*I received an advanced readers copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
May 14, 2018
Al ser una biografía de Cleopatra, me esperaba que Cleopatra fuera nuestro personaje principal. Pero, siendo sinceros, al final se da más importancia a las posiciones estratégicas de Julio César en primer lugar, y más tarde de Marco Antonio y Octavio, que de lo que está tramando mientras nuestra protagonista.
Se entiende, por supuesto, puesto que hay mucha más información recopilada de la Roma antigua que de la vida de Cleopatra (los escritos sobre su persona, de hecho, no son nada objetivos y la reina egipcia queda en ellos totalmente desfigurada). Por tanto, este personaje quedará siempre entre la realidad y el mito. Aún así, es una mujer fascinante de nuestra historia, que luchó con todo para defender a su país y a sus hijos, y nadie debería perder la oportunidad para aprender un poco más de ella.
A pesar de sus fallos, me ha gustado muchísimo. Según iba leyendo se multiplicaba mi curiosidad e incluso he compaginado mi lectura con varias investigaciones online sobre la Dinastía ptolemaica o las batallas por el control del Imperio, por ejemplo.
Se entiende, por supuesto, puesto que hay mucha más información recopilada de la Roma antigua que de la vida de Cleopatra (los escritos sobre su persona, de hecho, no son nada objetivos y la reina egipcia queda en ellos totalmente desfigurada). Por tanto, este personaje quedará siempre entre la realidad y el mito. Aún así, es una mujer fascinante de nuestra historia, que luchó con todo para defender a su país y a sus hijos, y nadie debería perder la oportunidad para aprender un poco más de ella.
A pesar de sus fallos, me ha gustado muchísimo. Según iba leyendo se multiplicaba mi curiosidad e incluso he compaginado mi lectura con varias investigaciones online sobre la Dinastía ptolemaica o las batallas por el control del Imperio, por ejemplo.
February 7, 2021
Positives - This was a decent overview, I learned some things I didn’t already know about her reign and her as a person. It also dispelled many untruths about her which was helpful.
Negatives - There were many mistakes in this version - both spelling and grammar. It was also mainly focussed on the achievements and lives of the men in her life. It would have been better served being named differently so that the reader expects roughly two thirds of the texts to be concerned with subjects other than Cleopatra herself.
An interesting read nonetheless.
Negatives - There were many mistakes in this version - both spelling and grammar. It was also mainly focussed on the achievements and lives of the men in her life. It would have been better served being named differently so that the reader expects roughly two thirds of the texts to be concerned with subjects other than Cleopatra herself.
An interesting read nonetheless.
October 20, 2022
best I have read on the subject
A. Very down to earth bio. I would recommend to all reader's of history. Well written with plain facts not rumors
A. Very down to earth bio. I would recommend to all reader's of history. Well written with plain facts not rumors
November 11, 2023
Biografía de Cleopatra donde está es un personaje de segunda que se camufla con el paisaje.
January 21, 2025
I wasn't expected much - it's a "coffee table book"! Having mostly known Cleopatra as a myth and a Shakespearean character, I was quite taken with her actual story,
November 21, 2015
Cleopatra by Ernle Bradford is a scholarly book that tells about how Queen Cleopatra tried to save her country.
The premise of his book can be neatly summed up as the author writes at the end of his book Cleopatra was a woman of great courage and not a woman known for perfidy.
At the end of his book you'll find a select biography, if you wish to do more research into Cleopatra's life.
Recommend.
Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.
The premise of his book can be neatly summed up as the author writes at the end of his book Cleopatra was a woman of great courage and not a woman known for perfidy.
At the end of his book you'll find a select biography, if you wish to do more research into Cleopatra's life.
Recommend.
Review written after downloading a galley from NetGalley.
January 29, 2026
Will never stop thinking about Cleopatra or the Ptolemaic Dynasty, totally a victim of Shakespearean propaganda and romanticism and I don't care.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews