The Last Queens of Egypt : Cleopatra's Royal House

The last of the Ptolemaic monarchs who ruled Egypt for 300 years, Cleopatra is the most famous of the Ptolemaic queens. But what of her predecessors? The Last Queens of Egypt examines the roles played by the Ptolemaic royal women and explores their part in religion, politics and court intrigue. Explaining their propensity for incest, murder and power, Sally Ann Ashton shows the extent of the power they enjoyed, the price they paid, and how they shaped Cleopatra's reign. The last of the Ptolemaic monarchs, rulers of Egypt for 300 years, Cleopatra is the most famous of the Ptolemaic queens. But what of her predecessors?The Last Queens of Egypt provides a fascinating look at Cleopatra's ancestors, the Ptolemaic queens, and offers an insight into one of Egypt's most famous but enigmatic families. At first glance the Ptolemaic queens appear to represent liberated and powerful individuals. A further investigation of their history and presentation, however, reveals that they were often used and abused by their consorts, brothers and sons. The role of queen was in many respects a kiss of death. Starting with an overview of earlier Egyptian royal women, the book gathers historical, archaeological and literary evidence to explore the roles played by the Ptolemaic royal women. Their part in religion, politics and court intrigue are explored and their propensity for incest, murder and power explained. Illustrated throughout, The Last Queens of Egypt offers a striking new history of Ancient Egypt, using the archaeological record to show the way in which the reign of Cleopatra was shaped. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 7 Table of Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgements 9 Map 11 Introduction 12 Note on text 16 Chapter 1 Role models 18 Chapter 2 Egypt and the Ptolemies 34 Chapter 3 Cleopatra and her ancestors 66 Chapter 4 Presentation to the Greeks: Hellenistic queens 86 Chapter 5 Continuing the tradition: queens of Egypt 114 Chapter 6 The royal cults: deification and amalgamation 132 Chapter 7 The legacy of the Ptolemaic queens 160 A selective family tree of the Ptolemaic queens 170 Bibliography and sources 174 Index 182 "The Last Queens of Egypt provides a fascinating look at Cleopatra's ancestors, the Ptolemaic queens, and offers an insight into one of Egypt's most famous but enigmatic families. At first glance the Ptolemaic queens appear to represent liberated and powerful individuals. A further investigation of their history and presentation, however, reveals that they were often used and abused by their consorts, brothers and sons. The role of queen was in many respects a kiss of death."--BOOK JACKET. Examining the roles played by the Ptolemaic royal women and exploring their part in religion, politics and court intrigue, Sally-Ann Ashton shows the extent of the power they enjoyed, the price they paid and how they shaped Cleopatra's reign.