Cleopatra

“Cleopatra” is a biography written by Stacy Schiff that explores the life of Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. The book presents Cleopatra not just as a seductive queen but as a brilliant and politically shrewd leader who spoke multiple languages, governed during a time of great political upheaval, and aligned herself with powerful Roman figures like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.Schiff uses historical records and modern interpretations to strip away centuries of myth and bias, showing Cleopatra as a complex and capable woman navigating a male-dominated world. The book challenges popular portrayals and provides a rich, detailed portrait of one of history’s most famous women.