4 - Cleo in Medieval Arabic Culture

Question 1

How did the Arabic Culture view Cleo?

Answer 1

• Praised for difficult achievements
• Cares for cities well being
• Noble work
• Wise women
• Entirely positive
• Great leader
• Improves Alexandria’s infrastructure.
• Virtuous Scholar/ active participant

Question 2

Arab vs Roman accounts

Answer 2

Arab:

• women of formidable intelligence not sexual
• Johns Chronicles pass Arab literacy via translation (Rome didn’t)
• accepting of female ruler
• more historically accurate

Rome:
- vilify for civil war as justifiable conflict

Question 3

Are Arab sources 100% accurate?

Answer 3

• John chronicles 700 years after - unsure on reliability
• They’re not specific if is C VII + mix up events (i.e lighthouse 200 years prior to her birth)
• Scholar idea was most likely down to books dedicated to her by original authors