A Real Cleopatra: Allure and Power

Author: (German) Emil Ludwig, translated by Wang Dechun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Reasons to Read This Book: The author, Emil Ludwig, is a renowned German biographer considered to have reached the level of a "polymath." He spent thirty years contemplating the description of this "incomparable" woman, sweeping away two millennia of misinterpretations of this "Egyptian Queen." In world history, there are three heavyweight Romans—Caesar, Antony, and Octavian—all of whose lives are inextricably intertwined with that of this "Egyptian Queen." This book portrays that extraordinary period of history as a "romantic journey" between the heroine and three Romans, and as a "journey of the human soul," a truly innovative approach. It is a masterpiece that is both profound and accessible, deeply researched yet effortlessly written, imbued with Ludwig's lifelong experiences. We recommend this book to the following groups: biographical literature scholars or enthusiasts, women's literature scholars or enthusiasts, admirers or critics of power, scholars or enthusiasts of Egyptian and Roman culture, lovers or critics of "lover, mother, warrior, queen," and students at all levels.
Cleopatra VII, the famous Egyptian queen, Caesar's lover, and Antony's wife. She lived for only 39 years but reigned for 22. Her ambition and charm significantly influenced Roman politics at critical moments. Shakespeare described her as, "A proud and mighty queen, whatever you do is so graceful—whether you blame, laugh, or cry; every emotion you strive to express is wonderfully beautiful and moving." Cleopatra, this incomparable "Egyptian Queen," is no longer just a legendary embodiment of a great lover in this work but also a mother, warrior, queen, and lover. This heart-wrenching masterpiece, conceived over thirty years by the renowned German biographer Emil Ludwig, sweeps away two millennia of misinterpretations of this "Egyptian Queen."