Antony and Cleopatra Hardcover – September 28, 2010

Adrian Goldsworthy is a master of Roman History. This book, Antony and Cleopatra is simply outstanding.I had first read Goldsworthy's, Augustus First Emperor of Rome, which was near perfection, but I believe this is even betterAntony and Cleopatra melded wonderfully with Augustus, it is simply one of the finest books I have ever read, it flows like a stream through historyThe maps he provided of the Roman Empire and others areas were of great use.Goldsworthy also outlines with illustrations, a few of the battle line formations utilized by the Roman legions, such as the battle of Pharsalus between Pompey, Antony and Caesar.He also provides maps and illustrations from Actium, Antony and Cleopatra vs Augustus and the land battle that ensuedThere are intriguing stories of Julius Caesar with Cleopatra that are so well written, you could be standing on the river bank, a witness to history as they sailed down the NileLooking forward to reading Goldsworthy's Caesar Life of a Colossus. It is in my lineup I now own it, I will set it aside as a coming treat, his books are that goodI didn't read these books in any prearranged order, as I had not thought of it at the time, but feel fairly certain it would not have made that much difference.The bottom line, if you are wondering if this book is worth reading, absolutely without a doubt

Adrian Goldswworthy masterfully relates anaccount of the love affair between Antony and Cleopatra, great insights Into the military and political history of the end of the Roman Republic .Goldsworthy is an excellent host who undertakes a close analysis of ancient sources and archaeological evidence

I found this disappointing. Most of the reason isn’t the author’s fault. There simply isn’t very much solid information about Cleopatra, and so much of her bio has to be speculation or shrugs. The author resorts to saying “we simply do not know” nearly a dozen times throughout. Antony is better known, but (at least according to this bio) he was not a very interesting person - an entitled, pompous, barely competent, self-satisfied aristocrat, with no particular talents and a much higher opinion of himself than he deserved. Is that fair? I don’t know, because all I know about him comes from this book, so either he’s not interesting or the author has failed. Cleopatra, on the other hand, should be a much more interesting character - managing to politic, fight, and wiggle herself to the top of her society and stay there in spite of the constant infighting and backstabbing. But the lack of data makes all her maneuvers at best speculative, and again, the author doesn’t seem to like or admire her very much. We’re left with a lot of information about a boring blowhard, and very little about a (probably) fascinating schemer.

"Antony and Cleopatra" is another excellent work by Adrian Goldsworthy. His grasp of the ancient world is stunning and his ability to relate its history to the modern reader is unmatched. He brings Antony and Cleopatra to life as real people and dispels the incorrect assumptions and beliefs that surround them. While they may have loved one another, their relationship was much more complicated and interesting. Their political (and in Antony's case, psychological) needs were always paramount. Antony is revealed as a needy boy in a man's body, who had little ability as a strategist and military commander, but who had an enormous appetite for worldly pleasures. Cleopatra is shown to have been very astute politically, and whose primary goal was to remain in power and keep Egypt as independent as possible. This book is a must read for all who are interested in ancient Rome, the transition from Roman Republic to Empire, Antony, Cleopatra, or Octavian. Speaking of Octavian, I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Cleopatra had tried to seduce him instead of Antony. Considering Octavian's strict Roman elitism, I doubt it would have gone well for Cleopatra.

This is not a Taylor and Burton "Cleopatra".nor is it Shakespeare .For those who have no knowledge of this time frame ,Mr Goldsworthy takes the reader to the origin of the political and social tormentor which these two characters would have to perform in.Both were overly ambitious which caused them to realized that Rome did not revolve around them.Octavian was the master chess player. He had tortured under Caesar .He was ambitious but surround himself with capable men ,Aggriba for one.Cleopatra was more skill at this game than the self absorbed Antony.I found myself interested in Cleo. because of her skill of politics even to the end .First Cesar ,who recognized this in her and then Antony who was naive but whom she could and did manipulate into doing her biding.Antony's fault was he failed to remember he was Roman and that Rome/Octavian would not endure being challenged by any one,Could Cleopatra have seduced Octavian? Would he have allow her to do so? My bets on Octavian, he was to young and not naive..ROME and a EMPIRE was his..Why take the risk?

Based on primary sources w/o a lot of speculation, and addresses the romantic nonsense that's turned the pair into legendary lovers instead of what they more certainly were, i.e., perhaps in love, but highly ambitious political and calculating operatives living and trying to survive during an extremely turbulent time of seemingly endless civil war in Rome and the incumbent economic and military stress exerted on all its provinces. The background to both their lives and histories leading up to them (the Ptolemy dynasty and Rome's use of client states and their rulers) was particularly interesting. And we're reminded that everything that's been recorded about Antony and Cleopatra was filtered through the lens of Caesar Augustus' (the victor's) long reign as emperor, so it's difficult for us to judge the actual circumstances. Well written and accessible to the layperson w/some knowledge of Roman history.