“Iconography aside, it is easy to see what someone is trying to communicate when he pairs a lady with a snake. Alexander the Great's mother - as murderous and maniacal a Macedonian princess who ever lived - kept serpents as pets. She used them to terrify men. Before her came Eve, Medusa, Electra, and the Erinyes; when a woman teams up with a snake, a moral storm threatens somewhere.”
This book delves into the life of Cleopatra VII, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, examining her rise to power, her political and romantic alliances, and her eventual downfall. It provides an in-depth look at her reign, her interactions with Roman leaders, and her cultural impact. more
Stacy Schiff is an American author renowned for her biographical works. Born on October 26, 1961, in New York, she graduated from Harvard University and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale University. Schiff's writing style is distinctive, and she excels at delving into the lives and achievements of historical figures. Her works have won numerous literary awards. more
“It is always the moralists who do the most harm.”