An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List
196. Julius Caesar & Cleopatra (Part 2)
June 14, 2022
Description
Books Referenced
Author: Plutarch
Context:
Referenced throughout as a primary historical source for descriptions of Cleopatra's appearance, personality, and charisma. Plutarch's account includes details about her speaking multiple languages and the story of her arriving to meet Caesar in a bag/carpet.
Author: William Shakespeare
Context:
Referenced for its portrayal of Cleopatra, specifically quoting 'age cannot wither her nor custom stale her infinite variety' and Enobarbus's description of seeing Cleopatra 'hop 40 paces through the public street.'
Author: Julius Caesar
Context:
Mentioned as Caesar's own written accounts of his military campaigns, noting that he barely mentions Cleopatra in them and doesn't mention crossing the Rubicon, suggesting he wanted to avoid drawing attention to certain matters.
Author: Cassius Dio
Context:
Referenced as a later historian who wrote about this period of Roman history, specifically noted for NOT including the story of Cleopatra arriving in a carpet/bag to meet Caesar, unlike Plutarch.