Kleopatra [Paperback]

Kleopatra is spelled this way in the book to emphasize the connection of the Ptolemies to their Greek forebearers through Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt. They could usually not speak the language of Egyptians, even though they had been in power for around three centuries. Greek was the official court language. Kleopatra stands for "glory to the father." And that was Kleopatra's strength. She was consistently loyal to her father's interests.

The story tells the few known incidents in Kleopatra's life between ages 3 and 18, prior to meeting Julius Caesar when he arrived in Alexandria to collect a debt owed by Kleopatra's father to a Roman money lender. Most scenes in Kleopatra develop the sibling and political rivalries between Kleopatra and her step-sister, Thea, and her older sister, Berenika.

The Ptolemies were very aggressive in their preference for incest. Kleopatra's father and mother were brother and sister. Her father betrothed Kleopatra to her much younger half-brother, after having married his step-daughter, Thea. If her father had been in better health at the end of his life, he might well have married Kleopatra as well. The entire dynasty was made up of such marriages.

The Ptolemies were not popular in Egypt, and were concerned about the rapid expansion of Rome. Most of the rest of the book develops these domestic and foreign policy issues, as the backdrop against which Kleopatra prepared herself to potentially be a ruler.

I have read a number of histories about Cleopatra, and found the material here to be highly consistent with what is reported in those sources. Obviously, a lot of hard work by Ms. Essex went into preparing this book.

Ultimately, unless these lurid dynastic and political events intrigue you, there is not a lot to draw a reader to this subject. The interesting part of Kleopatra's life starts with the next volume, which is due out in August 2002 according to the sampler section at the end of this novel.

In our age when we see women making strides in all directions, many will be curious about how a woman became only the third female to rule as Pharoah in Egypt. Preparation, loyalty, and a strong will helped, but ultimately there was a lot of serendipity involved. Had there been an older male heir, she would probably never have enjoyed power.

Those who already know the history of how Julius Caesar came to power in Rome and Kleopatra did the same in Egypt will find little need to read this book. Those who do not yet but would like to know the background to Shakespeare's tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra will find this book more appealing than reading a history, assuming they have a strong stomach.

Kleopatra's advisor, Haphaestion, told her, "In matters of state, let your blood run cold." Where in your life do you need to be totally rational in making decisions? Is there some way that you could change your life so that you can be more loving and emotional in your decisions? Which way of deciding do you prefer?

Be loyal to values that are worth upholding!