Cleopatra, Stacy Shiff

People and Events
Alexandria	Rome
Cleopatra Auletes – father Arsinoe – sister (executed by Mark Anthony) Ptolemy XIII – brother Ptolemy XIV – brother, husband Berenice – older sister (executed by father) Caesarion – son by Caesar Children by Mark Anthony: Alexander Helios Cleopatra Selene Ptolemy Philadelphus Donations of Alexandria – 34 BC (Cleopatra 35 yrs.)	Caesar Calpurnia – wife Octavian – nephew - named by Caesar as his heir – ruler of Rome – renamed Augustus after defeat of Cleopatra Mark Anthony Fulvia – wife Octavia – Octavian’s sister, Anthony’s wife # 2 daughters Writers: Cicero Plutarch Dio Cassius Late 32 BC Octavian declared war on Cleopatra Anthony stripped of all authority in Rome
Other Herod – King of Judea Mariamme – wife Aristobulus – brother-in-law Alexandra – mother-in-law

For discussion:

1. If you lived in that time period, do you think you would have liked Cleopatra?

2. What were Cleopatra’s positive characteristics?  Her negative ones?

3. How was Cleopatra portrayed in history and fiction?  What was the truth and what was completely fiction?
1. What were her contributions to Alexandria and to Rome?  To women?

4. Discuss Cicero’s role in Mark Anthony and Octavian’s rise.

5. Discuss Dio’s statement about democracy vs. monarchy (page 154 of hardback).  He stated that democracy sounded good but did not necessarily have positive results and that, “Monarchy, on the contrary, has an unpleasant sound, but is a most practical form of government to live under.  For it is easier to find a single excellent man than many of them.”

6. Contrast women in Alexandria and Rome.

7. On page 247 (hardback) the author wrote that Octavian questioned Anthony’s reputation and foreshadowed future competitions between men and women.  She wrote, “He (Octavian) publically acknowledged what many men who have faced a woman across a tennis net have since noted: in such a contest, there is greater pride to be lost than glory to be gained.”  Is this still true?

8. How do you think Cleopatra died – by poison of asp?  Do you think Octavian had any part in her death – at least by letting it happen?

9. What was your reading experience? 
1. Did you like the chapter titles and introductory quotes?
2. How did you like the author’s writing style?  Was it easy or difficult to follow?  Did you enjoy how she described and stated things?