It was disappointing to once again only have the roman sources quoted. I also was able to sort of figure out which parts of the George book were actually based on historically known facts and which were made up out of her imagination to plump out the story. We work hard to protect your security and privacy. In the year 30 BC one of the most remarkable women who have ever lived, Cleopatra, the Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt, perished by her own hand. Reminding us the Cleopatra was not a beautiful woman (although this belief of beauty has lately been called into question) but a powerful monarch who ruled her country well, was loved by all her subjects and stood toe to toe with Rome when the world was caving to their influence. I … Obviously, when you a the loser in history, there is less written as more focus is on the 'winners' and what they allow to be relayed about their antagonists. I think I read because an older friend was...but through this book began my love for biography, history, and social issues. I am not "currently reading" this. I know little to nothing about Cleopatra and had nothing to compare it to. This one traces the rise of Alexander's empire through the successor states (primarily Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid kings of Syria) and the final end with Cleopatra's suicide in 30 BC. A little frustrating that there is still so much that we can't possibly know for certain, as the conquerors always shape their own version of history to satisfy their ends. Boooooring. He had a reputation as an aloof monarch who enjoyed a life of luxury while causing dynastic troubles with the expulsion of Cleopatra VI from the court in late 69 BC (a few months after the birth of Cleopatra VII). A little hard to understand at times. Michael Grant has published scores of books about ancient Greek and Roman history and personalities, some of them, such as his biography of Herod the Great and this one about Cleopatra, based on only a few sources which Grant digests and regurgitates in accessible modern English. Imitation of Life Two-Movie Special Edition, Spike Lee Joint Collection (Clockers/ Jungle Fever/ Do the Right Thing/ Mo` Better Blues/ Crooklyn), A Cultural History of Women in Antiquity (The Cultural Histories Series). Michael Grant was an English classisist, numismatist, and author of numerous popular books on ancient history. And yet he is careful to point out: Michael Grant restores the reputation of the great Cleopatra, Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2013, This book is a fine work of history. Nevertheless, it was an enlightening read, and the author made a conscious effort to peer past the veil of propaganda resulting from Octavian's victory. Much better than the newer bio by Stacey Schiff! There are no discussion topics on this book yet. If in mirth, report that I am sudden sick.” ― William … Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2009. I read this when I was rather young and...and most of it went over my head. Grant's Cleopatra rings more true to the ear and the mind. Michael Grant $4.19 - $5.19. Obviously, when you a the loser in history, there is less written as more focus is on the 'winners' and what they allow to be relayed about their antagonists. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. While reading the book, I was waiting to finally get to what Cleopatra was feeling, what her personality was like, anything! Refresh and try again. ), and Peter Green’s Alexander to Actium (Berkeley and Los Angeles: 1990). Cleopatra. The book has a lot of information and tries to present an unbiased history and it came off a little dry and boring. For people who love this kind of thing I'm sure it's fascinating. A little frustrating that there is still so much that we can't possibly know for certain, as the c. A solid history of the time period and geographical area in which Cleopatra reigned. Prose accounts (e.g., Pliny) 2. Cambridge professor Michael Grant’s 1972 biography of Egypt’s famous Queen Cleopatra VII became almost the standard textbook for a neverending rash of popular bestsellers, films, and TV shows about her. ', 'Life is my nightmare now, and paradoxically, my dreams have become escapes. A modern biography (probably Michael Grant, Cleopatra) 2. His 1956 translation of Tacitus’s Annals of Imperial Rome remains a standard of the work. Julia Samson, Nefertiti and Cleopatra: Queen-Monarchs of Ancient Egypt (London: Rubicon Press, 1985). While 25 years old since its original printing, the tome still serves as a comprehensive and readable survey. In recent years we have had, for example, Michael Grant’s From Alexander to Cleopatra (London: 1982 and 1990), Frank Walbank’s The Hellenistic Age (London: 1992 rev. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cleopatra by Michael Grant (1972, Hardcover) at the best online prices at … Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2008. There was a problem loading your book clubs. The edition this reviewer read, was the Barnes & Noble 1995 issue of the 1972 classic. Grant also takes a world view of East verses West which seems more akin to the post 9/11 world than the ancient one. The book is only 275 pages, but each page is filled with detail. Shelves: history-world. She survived the death of her first love and even though afterwards she loved again she was a changed person, colder and more focused on personal gains that anything else. History of Rome. Please try your request again later. It was way more involved in the history than I had interest. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. This is an engrossing history about the last of the Pharaohs and the consolidation of power by the Romans. Work on the hellenistic era (323-30) is booming, especially as far as histories of that period go. This little known biography of Cleopatra VII and her times is magnificent. I didn't even read the book for the project. Originally published in 1972 (and later updated in the 1990s), this book was the first modern biography of Cleopatra by the acclaimed classicist, numismatist and academic historian Michael Grant. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. He once described himself as "one of the very few freelances in the field of ancient history: a rare phenomenon". These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Something went wrong. But as historian Michael Grant put it in his book Cleopatra: I say history because I do not really feel this was a focused biography, as the book contained just as much information about Caesar or Antony as it did Cleopatra. She immediately had the murderers arrested and handed over in chains to Bibulus. To see what your friends thought of this book. Cleopatra continued the pro-Roman policies of her father. Cleopatra was very indignant about the unauthorized behaviour of her governor. Grant is highly detailed in his research and description of what is known. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. True, it's not a made up novel, it is just facts carefully laid out along with their sources, but you never feel like that is what you are reading. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Constantine the Great: The Man and His Times. The Berlin Cleopatra, a Roman sculpture of Cleopatra wearing a royal diadem, mid-1st century BC (around the time of her visits to Rome in 46–44 BC), discovered in an Italian villa along the Via Appia and now located in the Altes Museum in Germany. Start by marking “Cleopatra: A Biography” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Cleopatra had been taught since childhood the value of collaboration with Rome - "anything else would have been suicidal," notes historian Michael Grant, her most thorough biographer.Could she, perhaps, use Roman strength not only to regain her throne but as a lever to make her kingdom great again? Don't really feel like i know any more about cleopatra than before I started reading this...it feels more like a read (yet another) biography of antony. Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. Yet I wish this book could've been condensed to 10% of its length. Dido as a figure of Cleopatra in Virgil's Aeneid Michael Grant did a great job of detailing the family members of Cleopatra while lending perspective to how Ptolemaic society & government worked. Walter Isaacson, it’s safe to say, is not afraid of tackling the really big topics. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. I got this for a project and Oh My God. Michael Grant comes to the conclusion that "on the whole" it seems most likely Cleopatra V was the mother of Cleopatra VII, noting that had Cleopatra VII been illegitimate, her "numerous Roman enemies would have revealed this to the world." The race of Cleopatra VII, the last active Hellenistic ruler of the Macedonian Greek Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, has caused some debate in scholarly and non-scholarly circles. Please try again. Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2009. Michael Grant, a doctor of letters with the university of Edinburgh and another UK university, and who apparently reads ancient Greek and Egyptian - insofar as he's read the actual words of Caesar written to Cleopatra and other papyrus manuscripts written during that time - wow! Michael Grant, a doctor of letters with the university of Edinburgh and another UK university, and who apparently reads ancient Greek and Egyptian - insofar as he's read the actual words of Caesar written to Cleopatra and other papyrus manuscripts written during that time - wow! Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Ancient history just doesn't grab my attention as much. Another winner from the prolific Classical historian, Michael Grant. She also authored treatises on makeup, alchemy and agriculture, and was a brilliant tacticia. This was an interesting book, but it confirmed that I am interested more in history after the twelfth century. Originally published in 1972 (and later updated in the 1990s), this book was the first modern biography of Cleopatra by the acclaimed classicist, numismatist and academic historian Michael Grant. Grant debunks many of the myths around Cleopatra and allows for her remarkable personality and abilities to shine through. It’s just an opinion, but my vote goes to a book by Michael Grant titled simply Cleopatra. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. was published in Ebony magazine in 2012. Egypt was officially independent but was a de facto protectorate of the Roman legions. Queen of Egypt, scholar, murderer, lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony...the perfect subject for distinguished historian Grant, who debunks the image of a wayward woman and replaces it with a brilliant linguist and strategist. Rogerscalled "World's Great Men of Color." The hierarchy, politics & plotlines are all covered in depth that doesn't bore the reader. A bit too academic to be a good read. Not captivating at all. Reading this book is like being there. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Cleopatra: A Biography. Although a product of his times, Grant offers a biography focused on Cleopatra besides the men in her life. Try again. Actually, it was Cleopatra's intriguing life that opened up the adventure of history for me. Not overly long... about 250 pages of narrative. Michael Grant, a doctor of letters with the university of Edinburgh and another UK university, and who apparently reads ancient Greek and Egyptian - insofar as he's read the actual words of Caesar written to Cleopatra and other papyrus manuscripts written during that time - wow! For example, the article "Was Cleopatra Black?" I was amazed to learn that she could speak 7 languages and was the first of her Dynasty to bother to learn how to speak Egyptian. Lefkowitz refutes Rogers' hypot… The edition this reviewer read, was the Barnes & Noble 1995 issue of the 1972 classic. And, I was blessed to see her mummy at the British National Museum a few years back. Reign. How remarkable is it th. I say history because I do not really feel this was a focused biography, as the book contained just as much information about Caesar or Antony as it did Cleopatra. I wanted to know what was true and what was not. I became fascinated with Cleopatra after watching the 1993 'Made-For-TV' 2 part movie called "Cleopatra" featuring Leonor Varela, Billy Zane & Timothy Dalton. Michael Grant was an English classisist, numismatist, and author of numerous popular books on ancient history. It takes the myth out of her story and attempts to remove the Octavian propaganda from her history. Grant's Cleopatra portrays the wonderful, vibrant woman that she was. He once described himself as "one of the very few freelances in the field of ancient history: a rare phenomenon". It was entertaining to read something about Cleopatra and her triumphant skills as a leader of the Egyptian people. It far exceeds the recent book by Schiff. With any subject of biography who has been dead for over two millennia it is difficult to be so precise. I read this biography as a follow-up to the Margaret George book about Cleopatra. It’s the ones who are too human. Grant clearly knows his stuff and half the fun is learning how scholars interpret the often highly biased source material. That said, the myth/legend is more interesting than the truth offered in this book. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. As a popularizer, his hallmarks were his prolific output and his unwillingness to ove. Whether I just don't have the capacity to read such a densely written biography or whether it is simply too complex too early I don't know. You may be charged a restocking fee upto 50% of item's price for used or damaged returns and upto 100% for materially different item. You do not feel lectured to. He once described himself as "one of the very few freelances in the field of ancient history: a rare phenomenon". He lives up to that reputation in "From Alexander to Cleopatra: The Hellenistic World." I have also listed each separately if you’re only interested in one or want to see more specific info/pictures for … Michael Grant $3.99 - $10.79. Grant was professor of ancient history at Trinity College, Cambridge. . I'm trying and will continue to try. Michael Grant, Cleopatra (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1972). A. Cleopatra as Female Hellenistic Ruler: Background and Biography 1. Mary Lefkowitz, Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at Wellesley College, traces the origins of the Black Cleopatra claim to the 1946 book by J.A. The historian Michael Grant believes that Serapion tried to support Arsinoe IV, who was then living in exile in the temple of Artemis in Ephesus, against her older hostile sister Cleopatra and perhaps even wanted to make her new queen of Egypt. They carry with them the warning that what happened to them might happen to you, too. Michael Grant | Published in History Today Volume 21 Issue 8 August 1971. Michael Grant $4.09 - $4.29. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. the perfect subject for distinguished historian Grant, who debunks the image of a wayward woman and replaces it with a brilliant linguist and strategist. She also authored treatises on makeup, alchemy and agriculture, and was a brilliant tactician. Grant provides context and the broad understanding, Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014. How remarkable is it that a woman without an ounce of Egyptian blood, becomes one of the most famous rulers of that empire? His 1956 translation of Tacitus’s Annals of Imperial Rome remains a standard of the work. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Not only was I able to quickly read through the book to find detailed information and facts for my paper but I also enjoyed reading the book. Michael Grant is well-known as one of the most prominent scholars of the Classical World. It is similar to Walbank's The Hellenistic World, only larger and more detailed. I've re-read the other reviews and they keep me thinking that this book will at some time get more interesting. Easy summer read. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. I guess that's what happens when you don't embellish, or have a lot of 2000 year old illustrative details to work with. Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2010. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Michael Grant $6.19 - $12.29. For someone who was married to Julius Caesar AND Marc Antony I'd have to say that Cleopatra was one amazing woman! Such is the background Mr. Grant gives on her father Ptolemy Auletes, the Roman situation with Egypt, and the Ptolemaic Dynasty for the first half of the book I almost forgot who it was about. Books about Cleopatra (fiction and nonfiction), Famed Biographer Walter Isaacson on Gene Editing, Science, and Good Books. I do realise that literary sources about cleopatra are few and far between but I did expect a biography of her to leave me feeling even a tiny bit more like I knew who the Egyptian queen was. This action turned the Gabiniani into bitter enemies of the queen as Cleopatra wanted to maintain good relations with Rome. The Death of Cleopatra VII, the last ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, occurred on either 10 or 12 August, 30 BC, in Alexandria, when she was 39 years old.According to popular belief, Cleopatra killed herself by allowing an asp (Egyptian cobra) to bite her, but for Greek and Roman historians, Cleopatra poisoned herself using either a toxic ointment or by introducing the poison with a … In detail he showed the hardships Caesar had to face while staying in Egypt with the Egyptian Queen but he also explained the happenings that lead to Caesar arriving …show more content… It serves to show how history is not just stories, but relationships among individuals and peoples throughout the world and time. I liked it to the degree that it sorted out the myth of Cleopatra from the few facts that are known about her. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Grant debunks many of the myths around Cleopatra and allows for her remarkable personality and abilities to shine through. ', and 'The balance of this world is not upset by accident. But I just found my mind wandering and getting bored on and off throughout the read. I don't read all the pages of the bibliography and references - no point if you're reading for pleasure and not scholarship. A solid history of the time period and geographical area in which Cleopatra reigned. Condition is "Very Good". I read it a long time ago and want to reread. But for which ever reason, I just couldn 't plough my way through it. An Egyptologist recommended I read this book by Michael Grant for it's authenticity and I'm not sorry I took the time. Lyric poets' responses to Augustus' victory over Cleopatra: Horace and others 3. In 2011, he wrote about our ubiquitous computer culture... Queen of Egypt, scholar, murderer, lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The Twelve Caesars. Grant's book as an attempt at an historical biography of this most famous queen that is not colored by the propaganda that was circulated by Rome and that has persisted even until today, is an unmitigated success. This incredible, informative, enduring work is considered the definitive book and scholarship on Cleopatra VII, the gold standard biography for those that came after. A splendid Biography. What I learned from this book is a lot about the historical milieu that was not included in the George book. All have strengths and … Cleopatra V was probably the mother of Cleopatra VII. It was also a light weight romance too. Michael Grant Lot of 7 Hardcover Books - Alexander, Cleopatra, Rome, Caesar. I'd read When We Were Gods (Colin Falconer - fiction) and The Memoirs of Cleopatra (Margaret George - fiction) and noticed the similarities in the stories. The book is published by Castle Books and came out in 1972 (reprinted in2001). Nevertheless, it was an enlightening read, and the author made a conscious effort to peer past the veil of propaganda resulting from Octavian's victory. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Please try again. The Cleopatra stuff is a reminder of is how strangely people think about Egyptians - so many people insisting Cleopatra wasn’t really Egyptian but Greek, despite her family being in Egypt for like 250 years by the time she was born — Tom Gara (@tomgara) October 12, 2020. 13 quotes from Michael Grant: 'It’s not the monsters who are so completely different that are scary, Sanjit reflected. Michael Grant's Hellenistic Heritance Of Cleopatra 541 Words | 3 Pages. Yes. She made the average woman seem like a serious under achiever. Other modern sources B. Roman Demonizing of Cleopatra 1. Boring. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. This book did give me a better understanding of the history of power in that part of the world. Sadly, this book has sat on my bookshelf for years, until I used it as source material for a last minute Western Civ paper. February 28th 2004 Michael Grant $3.99 - $7.69. Michael Grant was an English classisist, numismatist, and author of numerous popular books on ancient history. There are naturally times in this book when it reads like a soap opera, but this has got to be the most detailed, believable, and scholarly work on Cleopatra I have ever read. Michael Grant’s most popular book is Cleopatra: A Biography. Books are in very good condition. Great biography. It feels like you are there, watching and living it. Both more scholarly and more entertaining than the recent schiff bio. by Castle Books (Memphis, TN). His 1956 translation of Tacitus’s Annals of Imperial Rome remains a standard of the work. Michael Grant went back as early as 323 BC to the death of Alexander the Great to explain the rise of the Ptolemaic Era through Ptolemy I and to show the proof of Cleopatra’s Hellenistic heritance. We’d love your help. Cleopatra was a woman extraordinaire! Michael Grant has 96 books on Goodreads with 92625 ratings. Michael Grant Although a product of his times, Grant offers a biography focused on Cleopatra besides the men in her life. . Highly informative, very interesting, I became fascinated with Cleopatra after watching the 1993 'Made-For-TV' 2 part movie called "Cleopatra" featuring Leonor Varela, Billy Zane & Timothy Dalton. Unable to add item to List. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published I did find this biography interesting, and I learned a lot of new things about the period. An excellent biography scholarly, readable, informative, thought provoking and very enjoyable. “If you find him sad, say I am dancing. This book is well written and accurately details the life of Cleopatra. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Michael Grant gets it so right. Cleopatra VII Philopator. Welcome back. Michael Grant, one of the seminal giants of classical studies, provides a thorough examination of the Hellenistic world in From Alexander to Cleopatra. An Egyptologist recommended I read this book by Michael Grant for it's authenticity and I'm not sorry I took the time. The Roman Emperors. Grant has a way of storytelling without inserting unnecessary frivolous commentary like popular history books. The History of Ancient Israel. As a popularizer, his hallmarks were his prolific output and his unwillingness to oversimplify or talk down to his readership. Please try again. I was amazed to learn that she could speak 7 languages and was the first of her Dynasty to bother to learn how to speak Egyptian.

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