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Cleopatra of Egypt: from history to myth
Cleopatra of Egypt: from History to Myth
Fabled for her sexual allure and cunning intelligence, Cleopatra VII of Egypt has fascinated generations of admirers and detractors since her life ended in suicide in 30 BC. This intriguing exhibition at The British Museum focused on Cleopatra, last of the Ptolemaic monarchs, Macedonian Greeks who had ruled Egypt since the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC. The exhibition traced Cleopatra's life as queen of Egypt and her liaisons with the two great Roman leaders of the day, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The myth and iconic status of Cleopatra is also examined, largely through the representation of the queen in European art from the Renaissance to today.
This tour features some of the highlights of the exhibition, giving a brief history of Cleopatra's tumultuous life. There is also an exhibition catalogue published by The British Museum Press, price £24.99 paperback, £40 cased. It contains detailed descriptions and interpretations of all the objects in the exhibition, and essays by key international scholars examining Cleopatra's place in history and myth.
BP was the international sponsor of Cleopatra of Egypt: from History to Myth (12 April - 26 August 2001) which was organized by The British Museum in collaboration with the Fondazione Memmo, Rome.