Cleopatras

Countless volumes have been produced on one of the Cleopatras, this book, however, explores the lives and careers of them "all," Beginning with early Greek mythology, Whitehorne presents the pageant of Macedonian queens and princesses, including the last wife of Philip II of Macedon and the sister of Alexander the Great. He continues with the many Cleopatras pf the Ptolemaic Empire, exploring the political importance of their marriages to the Seleucid kings of Syria. After a re-appraisal of current views about Cleopatra VII's infamous demise, he concludes his work with an investigation of her daughter by Marc Antony, Cleopatra Selene of Mauretania, the last of the Ptolemaic line. This extraordinary tale enriches our understanding of the women behind a legendary name and the roles they played in the ancient world. This biographical saga will be enjoyed by the general reader as well as classics scholars.

Although there are many books written about the most famous Cleopatra, this is the only study in English devoted to her less well-known but equally illustrious namesakes.Cleopatras traces the turbulent lives and careers of these historically important women, examining in particular the earlier Macedonian and Ptolemaic Cleopatras, and the impact of their dynastic marriages on the history of the Hellenistic world. John Whitehorne also evaluates current views of Cleopatra VII's dramatic suicide, and considers the evolving political significance of royal women in the last three centuries BC.Clearly and engagingly written, Cleopatras reveals the true significance to the ruling dynasties of the 34 known Cleopatras who were not Cleopatra the Great, and illuminates some fascinating but little-known aspects of ancient Greek and Egyptian history along the way.

1. From Myth to Legend 2. Cleopatra, Perdiccas II, and Archelaus 3. Philip II's Last Wife 4. A Double Mystery 5. Alexander's Sister 6. From Aegae to Alexandria 7. The Seleucid Connection (1) 8. Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VI 9. Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII 10. Cleopatra II, Cleopatra III, and Ptolemy VIII 11. Cleopatra III and Her Children 12. The Seleucid Connection (2) 13. The Seleucid Connection (3) 14. The Twilight of the Ptolemies 15. Cleopatra VII's Suicide 16. The End of the Line Appendix