Like most people, I knew who Antony and Cleopatra were before I started this book. In the introduction Adrian Goldsworthy notes that they are two out of a handful of people that are still remembered by many over 2,000 years after they lived. I was familiar with the history surrounding their lives based on other books I have read about the time period. Those books however were focused on Julius Caesar or Augustus. So I was interested in seeing how Goldsworthy would present the story with the focus on Antony and Cleopatra.
Goldsworthy did a good job of providing a better understanding of the Ptolemy dynasty than I had previously grasped. Goldsworthy also does a good job outlining the major events in the life of Antony. There doesn’t seem to be much discussion about Cleopatra from the time she met Caesar unless Antony is there.
At times the book seemed overly repetitive. It felt like there were far more variations of the following sentence than needed. “Cleopatra had become ruler of an expanded realm through Antony’s generosity. If he lost the war then she too might lose all that she had gained.”
If you are looking to gain a greater understanding of Antony and Cleopatra there is plenty to learn in this book.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
The Mount of Forty Springs, Zagros Mountains, Iran Saturday 11:30 PM
By the dim light of torches seven hooded figures made their ascent up the nearly invisible path. Thirty minutes had passed since they began hiking off the established trail. A person who had never traveled this path would not have been able to find it.
These men were not making their first journey. Each had traveled this path as part of a group and individually. Even without the torches each man would find the destination without difficulty. Some things could never be forgotten.
In silence they made their final steps. Amidst the juniper and oak trees stood a single cedar tree. They had arrived at their destination. Concealed amidst the undergrowth was a small cave. Sliding a large bolder away from the back of the cave revealed a secret stairwell.
The men could not be completely at ease yet, but the most physically demanding portion of their journey was over. From this point things would be more psychologically challenging and each man would handle those struggles...
