Cleopatra

By Jacob Abbott

Cleopatra was the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek origin that ruled Ptolemaic Egypt after Alexander the Great's death during the Hellenistic period. As pharaoh, she consummated a liaison with Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne. After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, she aligned with Mark Antony in opposition to Caesar's legal heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (later known as Augustus). With Antony, she bore the twins Cleopatra Selene II and Alexander Helios, and another son, Ptolemy Philadelphus (her unions with her brothers had produced no children). After losing the Battle of Actium to Octavian's forces, Antony committed suicide. Cleopatra followed suit, according to tradition killing herself by means of an asp bite on August 12, 30 BC.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304945082

Jacob Abbott

Jacob Abbott (1803-1879) was an American author, pastor, and professor. Born Jacob Abbot Ⅲ, he later added a “t” to the end of his name in order to break away from being “the third”. Abbott began his career as a professor of mathematics and philosophy at Amherst college in Massachusetts. He became a licensed preacher in 1826, and later went on to become the founder and pastor of the Eliot Congregational Church. Jacob Abbott wrote many works, including biographies, religious books, and juvenile fiction. By the end of his career, he co-wrote thirty-one titles, and authored one-hundred and eighty books on his own.

Reviews for Cleopatra

[la2bkk · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is especially recommended for those with only a casual knowledge of Cleopatra. The author briefly summarizes the history of Egyptian rule by the Ptolemy dynasty, of which Cleopatra was the last prior to Roman rule. The author then describes Cleopatra's immediate family, the often confusing world of Egyptian politics with its familial quarrels, and of course Cleopatra's fascinating relations with both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.An easy reading, excellent overview of Cleopatra which can be used as a starting point for deeper inquiries.

[k8_not_kate · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As far as biographies go, I must say this one's not the best. Abbott's style is annoying because he is constantly offering his opinions on how the Ptolemys, Cleopatra, Caesar, and Antony lived (in sin and complete godlessness, in case you were interested). I could do without the editorializing with an ancient biography especially. Cleopatra's world was entirely different from our own (and Abbott's) and although her behavior was at best shady, it doesn't seem fair for a biographer to judge her so harshly.In terms of a biographical subject, of course, it doesn't get much better than Cleopatra. The scandalous events of her life have never ceased to amuse and shock people since her own time. If you are looking for a brief biography of Egypt's last Pharaoh that is available online (Gutenberg.org), this one is decent. Just be sure to only skim Abbott's meanderings on the landscape of Egypt and Cleopatra's (many) ancestors.