CLEOPATRA by Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stanley, Diane and Peter Vennema. 1994. Cleopatra. New York, NY: Harper Trophy. ISBN 0688154808

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Cleopatra is an ambitious ruler who is driven out of Egypt by the advisors of her younger brother/husband. She secretly returns and charms a visiting Julius Caesar. Shortly thereafter, she wins a war against her brother/husband and regains Egyptian rule. She lives happily with Caesar and their son in Egypt and then Rome until Caesar is murdered and she returns to Egypt. When Mark Antony and Octavian later rule the Roman Empire, she charms Antony with whom she falls in love and has three children. Romans are not happy with the alliance because Cleopatra is foreign and Antony eventually divorce’s Octavian’s sister to be with her. During the ensuing sea battle with Octavian’s fleet at Actium, Cleopatra flees to Egypt and Antony unexpectedly abandons combat to follow. Antony’s army fails to defend Alexandria from Octavian’s attack. When Antony is mistakenly told that Cleopatra is dead, he kills himself. After throwing Antony a lavish funeral and before Octavian can humiliate her in Rome, Cleopatra takes her own life.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In the preface, the authors appropriately set the stage. Egypt was sophisticated and wealthy, but Rome controlled much of the world. (A map at the outset clearly illustrates this fact). They also clear up some misconceptions. Cleopatra “did not live in the days of the Pharoahs. . . she was not even Egyptian.” In the Note On Ancient Sources they acknowledge that much that survives about Cleopatra was written by her enemies and may not be entirely accurate as a result. Including this introductory information helps the reader better appreciate and understand the context of Cleopatra’s life.

Through a number of anecdotes, Cleopatra’s intelligent, ambitious and charismatic personality is unveiled. The authors reveal that while her alliances with Caesar and then Antony were in part political, they were also inspired by genuine affection. Despite her drive and ostentation, the reader is compelled to admire her courage and determination in the face of adversity.

While the biography itself progresses chronologically, it lacks any subdivision or page numbers, making it difficult to easily revisit or skip to particular events. The epilogue wraps up the historical aftermath succinctly. The authors also include a pronunciation guide and bibliography at the end for those seeking additional resources. Throughout the book, Stanley’s tile mosaic backgrounds and detailed illustrations suit the period and complement the text nicely. The reader learns a great deal about the culture of the time through the beautiful artwork.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
From Publisher’s Weekly: “This peerless author/artist team makes the captivating, ultimately tragic Cleopatra seem astoundingly real.”

From School Library Journal: “Lucid writing combines with carefully selected anecdotes, often attributed to the Greek historian Plutarch, to create an engaging narrative.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Read this book in conjunction with a unit on women in history, Egypt or the Roman Empire
*Dramatic Interpretation (modified Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare)
*Other books about Cleopatra:
Cleopatra by Fiona MacDonald ISBN 0756619645
Cleopatra: The Life of an Egyptian Queen by Gary Jeffrey ISBN 1404202420
Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile, Egypt, 57 B.C. by Kristiana Gregory ISBN 0590819755
*Other books by Stanley and Vennema:
Good Queen Bess : The Story of Elizabeth I of England ISBN 0688179614
Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare ISBN 0688091091
Shaka, King of the Zulus ISBN 978-0688131142