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slides
Megan Senske
Sept. 24, 2002
Iras and Charmion Presentation
Iras & Charmion
I. Caesar's war with Cleopatra
II. Cleopatra's Death
a. Letter to Caesar
b. Guards find bodies
c. What happened?
III. Race of Iras & Charmion
IV. Slaves in Greece and Rome
a. Slave population
b. Jobs they held
c. Kept under control
d. Revolting against their masters
Plutarch-translated by Waterfield, Robin. Roman Lives. Oxford University
Press: New York, 1999.
Korovkin, F. History of the Ancient World. Progress Publishers:
Moscow, 1985.
Summary:
Kristen Bellamy
Cleopatra was the wealthiest woman in Egypt during her time. As
such, she had servants who were willing to answer to her every whim.
Two of these servants were Iras and Charmion. These woman were more
to Cleopatra than servants, they were probably her closest confidants.
Cleopatra’s reign was plagued with lies and disloyalty. It
is very likely that Iras and Charmion were two of the very few people
that Cleopatra trusted.
Very little is known about Iras and Charmion. However, they appear
in almost every movie about the life and times of Cleopatra. One
common thread that these Hollywood portrayals have created for Iras
and Charmion is that one of them is black and the other is white.
This is not based on any fact at all. The only fact that is known
about Cleopatra’s right-hand women is from Plutarch. Caesar
sent his men to find Cleopatra, and upon arriving at the death scene,
one of Caesar’s men said to a barely breathing Charmion, “A
fine day’s work, Charmion!” She responded, “Yes,
nothing could be finer. It is no more than this lady, the descendant
of so many kings, deserves.” The loyalty of Iras and Charmion
is displayed in their willingness to die with their mistress.