Down through the centuries, the story of Cleopatra has gripped the imagination. No fiction could ever rival the drama that was her life. Queen of Egypt at the age of 17, loved by Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony, hers was a life of triumph and tragedy in which the political intrigues of the ancient world combined with an immortal love story to give us a portrait of a woman who was as human as she was great. 

Cleopatra studied under the finest scholars of the day, and when she became queen her knowledge and self-possession astonished everyone. When the great Julius Caesar came to Egypt, he was captivated by this fascinating girl who thought like a man, yet possessed all the attributes of a very feminine woman. He established her as Queen of Egypt, and thought to make her his queen when one day he would be King of Rome. 

But this was not to be. Caesar was assassinated and Cleopatra, visiting him in Rome, had to flee back to Egypt with the son she bore him. There she ruled wisely and well, and the country regained its prosperity and independence. Still, Rome remained a threat, and Cleopatra sought to win the favor of Marc Anthony, Caesar's best friend and avenger. 

Theirs was a game of political strategy—until they fell in love. For a few brief years their reign over Egypt was one of splendor and glory. Then Octavian, the ambitious ruler of Rome, marched against them. Anthony fought gallantly, but no one could defeat Rome's might. With Anthony dead, and her beloved Egypt lost, Cleopatra had nothing left to live for.

Faithful to recorded history, this is a moving and fascinating story of Egypt and Rome, two thousand years ago. It brings to vivid life one of the most remarkable women of all time, a woman who had to struggle not only against her enemies but her own heart as well.

From the dust jacket