2 - History of Cleo

Question 1

What kingdom did she rule and what was some main challenges she faced? (Hint: 2 countries)

Answer 1

Struggled to keep peace in Ptolemic kingdom :

• used new Greek styles i.e temples
• Honoured Egyptian administrative structures/traditions (i.e crowned like Pharohs)

Question 2

Why would Cleo want to represent herself on temples like this? (Hathor)

Answer 2

• Demonstrate power/royalty

- relief sculptures stick to Egyptian past + stresses her and hers legitimacy/authority.

Question 3

How would she have felt when Caesar died?

Answer 3

• Vulnerable - link to Rome severed + needed to establish her and her sons legitimacy as Egyptian rulers.
• Weakened - her council didn’t like sole female rulers
• Uncertain - both her and Ptolemaic future was unclear
• Devastated - her lover had just unexpectedly died
• Would need to make new relationships with Rome’s power brokers

Question 4

What does the coin of Cleo and Mark show us?

Answer 4

• Cleo looks particularly Greek with her hair and jewellery.
• Individualised look
• Thick neck, double chin, bulbous (Verism - Exaggeratedly realistic depiction powerful individuality as a sign of the subjects authority)

Question 5

Explain the importance of the Donations to Alexandria

Answer 5

• Recognises Cleo +son as joint rulers
• Additional territory
• R.E and Ptolemies merge into a dynastic enterprise.

Question 6

What did M.A do that was a direct threat to Octavian

Answer 6

He recognised XV as Caesars son

Question 7

Name Responses to these Challenges:

• Keeping G,E,R happy
• Exiled by her brother
• Keeping independence when Caesar died

Answer 7

• Kept Egypt religion/tradition, Greek Temples + versim for Rome (respecting all 3)
• Built relations with Roman Leaders kept her on the throne.
• Her relation with M.A kept her reign stable + proved legitimacy for the throne.
• Suicide was on her terms