Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott
Jacob Abbott’s Cleopatra offers a detailed and engaging biography of Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Written in the 19th century, Abbott’s account is both informative and accessible, providing a thorough exploration of Cleopatra’s life, her reign, and her interactions with some of the most powerful men of her time. Abbott’s narrative is not merely a historical recounting but also a study of Cleopatra’s character, motives, and the political dynamics that surrounded her.
Background and Early Life
Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE into the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Macedonian Greek family that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. The Ptolemies maintained their Greek culture and language, ruling Egypt from the city of Alexandria. Cleopatra was not only educated in Greek traditions but was also one of the few Ptolemies who learned the Egyptian language, an indication of her desire to connect with her subjects and solidify her power.
Cleopatra ascended to the throne at the age of 18, initially ruling jointly with her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, as per the custom of the time. However, the relationship between the siblings quickly deteriorated, leading to a civil war. Cleopatra was a shrewd and ambitious leader, and she quickly sought alliances to secure her position.
Cleopatra and Julius Caesar
One of Cleopatra’s most significant alliances was with Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman. Abbott describes Cleopatra’s famous encounter with Caesar, where she is said to have had herself smuggled into his presence rolled up in a carpet. This bold move impressed Caesar, and the two soon became allies and lovers. With Caesar’s support, Cleopatra was able to defeat her brother and solidify her hold on the Egyptian throne.
Cleopatra’s relationship with Caesar was not just romantic but also highly political. She bore him a son, Ptolemy XV, known as Caesarion, whom she hoped would one day rule both Egypt and Rome. However, Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE shattered these ambitions. Cleopatra returned to Egypt, where she focused on maintaining her kingdom’s independence amid the rising power struggles in Rome.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
After Caesar’s death, Cleopatra aligned herself with Mark Antony, one of Rome’s leading figures and a member of the Second Triumvirate. Abbott portrays their relationship as both a romantic and strategic alliance. Antony, who was captivated by Cleopatra’s charm and intelligence, spent much of his time in Alexandria, where he and Cleopatra lived in luxury.
Their relationship was also marked by their shared political ambitions. Antony needed Cleopatra’s wealth and military support in his conflicts against his rival, Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus). In return, Cleopatra sought to secure her position and that of her son, Caesarion, as rulers of Egypt and possibly beyond.
However, their alliance eventually led to their downfall. Abbott details the series of military and political miscalculations that culminated in the decisive Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, where Octavian’s forces defeated those of Antony and Cleopatra. Following their defeat, Antony and Cleopatra retreated to Alexandria, where they both eventually committed suicide—Antony by falling on his sword and Cleopatra, according to tradition, by allowing an asp (a venomous snake) to bite her.
Cleopatra’s Legacy
Abbott concludes his biography by reflecting on Cleopatra’s legacy. Despite her defeat, Cleopatra remains one of history’s most fascinating figures. Abbott portrays her as a woman of great intelligence, political acumen, and personal magnetism, who sought to navigate a male-dominated world and preserve her kingdom’s sovereignty in the face of Roman expansion.
Abbott also discusses how Cleopatra has been both vilified and romanticized throughout history. To the Romans, she was often depicted as a seductress and a dangerous foreign queen who threatened the stability of the Roman state. However, to modern readers and historians, she is increasingly seen as a capable and determined ruler who made the most of her circumstances.
Conclusion
Jacob Abbott’s Cleopatra provides a balanced and insightful portrait of one of history’s most enigmatic figures. Through his detailed narrative, Abbott not only recounts the events of Cleopatra’s life but also explores the complexities of her character and the challenges she faced as a female ruler in a tumultuous period of history.
Abbott’s work remains a valuable resource for those interested in Cleopatra’s life, offering both a historical account and an analysis of the qualities that have made Cleopatra a symbol of both power and intrigue. His portrayal of Cleopatra as a shrewd, ambitious, and ultimately tragic figure underscores the enduring fascination with her story, a story that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
