Cleopatra Power

Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of Sources This investigation will explore the question: How did Cleopatra VII Theo Philopator of ancient Egypt utilize her sexuality to gain political power? The years 51 B.C. to 34 B.C. will be the focus of this investigation, to allow for an analysis of Cleopatra’s political gains through her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony/Antonius. The first source that will be evaluated in depth is Duane W. Roller’s book Cleopatra: A Biography, published in 2010. The origin of this work, Roller, is a retired Professor of Classics from Ohio State University. He has been awarded the Fulbright Scholar and has written many scholarly books on ancient Rome and Greece. The value of his work is, thus, enhanced by his extensive research, as a professor and
Cleopatra had relations with Caesar and Antonius, which influenced the Roman view of her as an evil seductress, witch, and adulterer. Some of the more powerful men in Rome viewed her as a political enemy and disliked her great power in a patriarchal world. Others wished to use her involvement with Caesar and Antonius to turn the public opinion against these men and reduce their power. As such, the limited primary sources with information on Cleopatra are severe towards her and likely filled with lies or exaggerations about her rein in an attempt to diminish her support in Rome. Cleopatra’s image has also been distorted by the mythology surrounding her. Popular theatrical works like Cleopatra and Antony by William Shakespeare romanticized her relationship with the men in her life and give her the image of a seductress and femme fatale. They do not recognize her political position or aspirations and some of the more current sources on Cleopatra tend to mix up fiction from fact, making it harder to distinguish the