Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
Cleopatra's name is one of the most recognized of women throughout history. Yet, what do we truly know about her? Debates rage over whether or not she was beautiful, but that is but a small aspect of her being and her reputation. Though she didn't live to forty, her life was a full and dramatic one. She waged wars, bore children, plotted murders, ruled a wealthy land, was married off to two of her own brothers, and became, in turn, glorious and notorious. Few of her time in history could compare to her wealth, status, and influence.
Compiling sometimes conflicting sources, masterful investigator and storyteller, Stacy Schiff, deftly guides readers through this extraordinary woman's life and times. Schiff also challenges many sexist notions that history is fraught with such as how women are seen to scheme, while men to strategize. Are these not often one and the same?
Impressively researched and skillfully told, Cleopatra: A Life not only teaches about a woman of unprecedented importance to her time and to today, but also to question how and why history is told at all.
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