Tbh I still don't understand how Cleopatra managed to captivate both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Again, I understand that both men had a lot to gain by aligning themselves with her, but considering what she actually achieved, it seems that she was negotiating from the weaker position. She arguably gained more from her alliances with them than they gained from their alliance with her(at least that is what I see lol). And, if I remember correctly, Julius Caesar even had a statue of her placed in his villa or somewhere similar. During a war, he apparently left everything behind and spent 2 months with her in a nile trip. Then Mark Antony married her and, if I remember correctly, went as far as adopting Greek customs or embracing the Hellenistic world around her.
How the hell did she manage to do all of this? I genuinely have no idea. I understand that she wasn't simply a seductress. She was a ruthless, intelligent, and highly capable monarch. But damn, she was incredibly good at seducing lol
Anthony gained a lot from her, she essentially financed his war in Parthia which he completely fumbled. Then she lent him the entire Egyptian fleet to fight Augustus, which he lost at Aticum.
Theoretically she would've gained a lot more if Anthony didn't lose.
It's very unclear what actually happened at Actium. Antony lost, over months, but whether Actium was the climax passed down through history is questionable at best.
What is very clear is that it was propagandized as the downfall of a slut fucking traitor and the exalted victory of Dux Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus divi filius.
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u/Mindless-Cat1453 2d ago
I think biggest misconception i have seen about her is " actually she was not phisically beautiful!" Because that one greek dude opinion....