The Life and Times of Cleopatra VII of Egypt.

"Her Infinite Variety":
The Life and Times of Cleopatra VII of Egypt.
Prof. Daugherty - Fall 2002

Description:

Cleopatra was a witness to and a shaper of history. Her death is used to mark the end of the Hellenistic Age because she was the last Macedonian monarch, the last Hellenistic ruler to fall to Rome, and the last Pharoah of Egypt - the incarnation of Isis herself. A woman in a man's world, she helped destroy the Roman Republic, and watched the Augustan Principate devour the remains. To Roman men she was a fascination and an archenemy; To Roman women she was a role model and a symbol of the decadent east; To posterity she is an enigma, but her image in film, literature, art and popular culture is ever present.

Objectives:

The objectives of this course will be to:
1> Understand the historical context of Cleopatra's life;
2> Understand the role of women in the Hellenistic world;
3> Understand her;
4> Understand how and why her image developed;
5> Understand the reactions of posterity;
6> Create a 21st Century image of the real Cleopatra.

Evauation:

Four presentations (60%); Group Project or Final Exam (20%); Individual Project (20%). Two unexcused absences allowed. No eating, drinking or smoking in class. No hats allowed in class.

Readings:

M. Chauveau, Egypt in the Age of Cleopatra
G. P. Baker, Augustus: The Golden Age of Rome
Michael Grant, Cleopatra
Plutarch, Roman Lives
Shakespeare Antony and Cleopatra
G. B. Shaw Caesar and Cleopatra

Presentations & Projects:

Each student will do a presentation on 1. A character in Cleopatra's life; 2. An historical event or issue; 3. A novel on Cleopatra; 4. Genre report on her image. Each student will do an individual "creative" project which interprets Cleopatra for the 21st century (presented in class in November), and participate in a group project, a video taped dramatic presentation to be chosen by the group.