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Lawrence Alma-Tadema, The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra, 1885
Lawrence Alma-Tadema, The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra, 1885Public domain · source

Cleopatra the seductress

The seductress is the most famous story about Cleopatra, but where did it come from?

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What the story covers

  1. The seductress is the most famous story about Cleopatra, but where did it come from?
  2. The original “siren”
  3. She fell in love with 2 of the most powerful men of her time
  4. It was theater, and it worked flawlessly.
  5. THE TWO MEN, IN ORDER
  6. Her beauty was used against her
  7. WHY THIS THREATENED ROME
  8. The moment she captured Julius Caesar’s attention
  9. According to Plutarch, she secretly entered the palace bundled inside a bed-sack or bedding, carried in by her servant Apollodorus, the famous “rolled-up rug” is probably a later embellishment.
  10. The stunt got her directly in front of Caesar, who was impressed by her boldness, backed her claim to the throne, and soon became her lover.
  11. WHY THE SMEAR OUTLIVED ROME

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