Duane W. Roller's "Cleopatra: A Biography" Book Review

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Cleopatra: A Biography Book Review

        The life story of Cleopatra is one which has become increasingly embellished throughout history.  To some, the Elizabeth Taylor version of her is enough to satisfy any and all curiosity.  For others, however, it is events like those portrayed in that movie which create a deeper desire to know who she really was during her lifetime.  It is not simple to find an answer to this question, but Duane W. Roller attempts exactly that in the 2010 first edition of his book, Cleopatra: A Biography.

        A former Professor of Classics at Ohio State University and current Professor of Greek and Latin, it seems the potential for Roller to focus solely on the available Greek and Roman sources is overwhelming.  However, he takes a much deeper and much more thorough approach to uncovering the true Cleopatra.  He makes continual note of the lack of information available from this time period, but nonetheless states the purpose of his book as attempting to “create a portrait of Cleopatra based solely on information from the ancient world” (x).  To draw upon as much of that information that is available, Roller includes maps, figures, and pictures within the biography—some of which are provided by his own courtesy—as well as using art, architecture, and official documents for his own research.      

        Roller’s intentions in writing on Cleopatra and her life as his theme, therefore, seem worthwhile.  He aims his thesis at going beyond the Cleopatra who has become more of a historical figure, and uncovering Cleopatra, the real person.  To do this, he compiles his research into a narrative, in which he uses a third person point of view.  He quickly adopts a fairly formal writing style, including several references to specific years and fitting numerous facts onto one page.  The dramatized myths which so often are associated today with Cleopatra seem absent.  In fact, to a general reader, the consistent mention of years and similarly named members of the Ptolemaic family within the first few chapters may be enough of a reason to stop reading if it were not for Roller’s commentary on the events mentioned.  He comments in a subtle way with the careful placement of certain adjectives, which also eventually reveal his personal opinion towards Cleopatra.  His personal view of Cleopatra as an influential leader during her queenship and his admiration of her impact after her death become overly clear, although he is careful to mention all relevant facts to Cleopatra’s life, whether they be favorable or unfavorable towards her.  

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As a result of his personal view and commentary, it seems that Roller creates a kind of theoretical, personal relationship with Cleopatra, which the reader is able to share in.  This relationship blossoms from the beginning, when the reader is introduced to Cleopatra’s life events in a chronological approach.  This approach also provides a way for him to immediately and consistently consider his thesis.  With each subsequent significant event in Cleopatra’s life, Roller creates relevant exposition, being certain to include details related to Cleopatra and how she fits into her surroundings.  For example, he provides the reader with Cleopatra’s ancestry ...

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