The Egypt of Cleopatra

by T.D. Van Basten

The Rise and Fall of Cleopatra's Egypt

Nowadays, in the 21st Century everyone is busy with the future, and only very few take a moment to look back to the past and think about what really happened. Let me guide you and take your hand, together we will travel back in time. We will resurrect the dead and see how life really was hundreds and thousands of years ago.

Cleopatra VII (69 BC - 30 BC), the last Pharaoh of Egypt, was a very educated, crafty, ambitious and clever woman. Her intellect and charisma – far greater than her beauty and sexuality - allowed her to keep the power for nearly twenty years by fighting against – and allying with - the greatest power at the time, Rome. Although her history was written by who defeated her and, therefore, modified according conveniences of them, there have been found, in recent archaeology researches, evidences of her intellect and achievements that portrayed her beyond her beauty and sexual power. She captivated the two greatest Romans of her time, and destroyed herself. Cleopatra was representing everything that the Romans didn't like. Not only was she a woman, but she was a woman with power.

Cleopatra, one of the most famous of all of Egypt's illustrious Pharaohs, has become an indelible part of our understanding of ancient Egypt. What is less well known is the context of her reign - the cultural and political climate at the time of her birth, rule, and death. As a leader, Cleopatra was much more than just a seductive, beautiful temptress. She was a young woman brought to power during a tumultuous time in the history of her country, as well as during the rise of what would become one of the biggest and most powerful Empires in the history of the world: Rome.

Genres: History

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2015

About the author

Losing sense of time through television and technology, many seem to have forgotten about our ancestors and how the world has been shaped to what it is today. T.D. van Basten has set the tone for historical coverage and is admired by many for his exceptional passion, vivid descriptions and storytelling.

Reviews

[Kaberoi Rua · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author provides a short 86-page analysis of Cleopatra. Egypt in the time of Cleopatra, was undergoing both a significant change as well as cultural revival. She was the last in the long line of Ptolemaic rulers from Greece that had ruled the country since the time of Alexander the Great. She captivated the two greatest Romans of her time, and destroyed herself. Cleopatra was representing everything that the Romans didn’t like. Not only was she a woman, but she was a woman with power. The author provides examination into the Rise of Cleopatra’s Egypt, the Wealth of Egypt, Roman and Egypt, the Egypt of Cleopatra, Roman Egypt, and a short conclusion.

I recommend this book to anyone fascinated by Ancient Egypt and the life of the country’s last Pharaoh to ascend the throne. I gave the book a three because anyone who follows my reviews knows that I can’t justify anything higher than a three for such a short read. I would feel I’m doing an injustice to longer and more thoroughly research works. However, a nice overview of Cleopatra.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was extremely short. The writing style lacked any enthusiasm. It was very dry. The book seemed to jump around all over the place. There was no direction. It seemed to bring up the same topics in different chapters. You wonder how such a poorly written book is in the kindle library. I guess the good thing was that it was short. I will be moving on to his next book since its short also. Hopefully by the time I have finished reading his whole set I will have a different opinion.

[Vicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

More like a high school report

This "book" remanded me of a paper written by a student. The use of cliché's, poor grammar and punctuation, and poorly edited material was an insult to the reader! I'm sorry I spent my hard earned money on this.

[Shaun Heuston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deceptive title

The title of this book should have been something like "Ptolemaic Egypt and Egypt Under Roman Rule" as the bulk of the book is about her predecessors and how Ptolemaic taxation helped both Greek and Egyptian alike.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short mostly historical (a little opinionated read) about the Ptolemaic dynasty and the last pharaoh of Egypt.

My only complaint is the book read like a paper. For whatever reason the author felt the need to say the same things several times throughout the book.

[laelto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This was an enjoyable short read. It paints a picture of Egypt whilst Cleopatra was alive. Interesting enough to intrigue me into finding a more in depth book

[Diane Cee croker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book was great full of great information set out in a way that was easily digested definitely a great read

[Carole Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always had a huge interest in Ancient times, especially with Ancient Egypt. I took a class about the Ancient World. We spent a good deal on Ancient Egypt, but we really didn't spend ANY time on Cleopatra who was the last and most famous of Pharaohs. Isn't it funny how the last is always the best? The first and the last are the most remembered in many situations.

I like Cleopatra for many reasons. However, I think people give her too much credit. Yes, she was beautiful and smart and charismatic. She got the throne and held onto it longer than someone else might have. The fact remains though....she lost in the end. She lost everything, so she wasn't the best Pharaoh. Sure...she gave a hell of fight, but she was the last and lost it to Rome.

The question, now, remains. Was it hopeless the moment she got the throne? Was she doomed to fail? Or was there something else she could have done to save her throne? After reading this, I am leaning more towards the hopeless at the beginning. Egypt was in bed with Rome and Greece for a LONG time. I feel her ancestors set her up to fail ultimately. However, I do feel she made her bed too. Getting with two Romans of power didn't help matters. Especially with Antony....the man had a Roman wife who was sisters with Augustus. Yes, yes, you damn romantics...I agree you can't help who you fall in love with. BUT IT WAS FOOLISH!!!! It was truly dooming her to love Antony.

Anyways. This was a quick read that shared more background knowledge of the Egypt Cleopatra was walking into. I truly wasn't that aware that her ancestors set her up to fail in many ways. They had caused such friction inside the country and set up too many ties with the Greeks and Romans for comfort.

Now, my only real complaint with the book were the repeats. He repeated himself a few times about the same thing. I get it. Please don't repeat. I understand trying to drive the point home, but it was tiresome at some points.

I do wish there was a small section about the clothing style of the day. I'm probably biased, but understanding the fashion choices of a time period helps understand the mindset and personality of the historical figures.

Overall, though, this was a simplistic read even for those that do not have a great love of reading history books. This would be a good read for someone in college who wanted a quick summary.

I shall stamp this with 3 stars.

[Grisel DH · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some information but it is only a short introduction about Cleopatra and its dynasty.

[Snowynight · Rating 1 out of 5]

A complete waste of time. Doesn't even have citations or bibliographies