Saturday, May 4, 2024

Queens of Ancient Egypt (2023) (2) Cleopatra II

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queens of Ancient Egypt is a documentary film (divided into three parts) which premiered in 2023.

 

Part 1 = Queen Tiye

Part 2 = The Other Cleopatra

(Cleopatra II)

Part 3 = Cleopatra’s Daughter

(Cleopatra Selene)                 

 

Here is some basic information about this film:

 

** Director: Stephen Rooke

** Writer: David Ryan

** Narrator: Jane Perry

** Language: English

** Run time: 3 x 52 minutes

 

This review will focus on part two

The Other Cleopatra

Cleopatra II

 

Seven historical experts are interviewed in part two.

Here are the names of the participants.

Listed in alphabetical order.

 

** Colleen Darnell – an Egyptologist

** John Darnell – Yale University

** Heba Abd El Gawad – an Egyptologist

** Frank Goddio – a Marine archaeologist

** Lloyd Llewelly-Jones – Cardiff University

** Alex McCauley – Cardiff University

** Martina Minas-Nerpel – an Egyptologist

 

Several historical moments have been recreated by actors. Many scenes are filmed in Egypt. Temples, tombs, and other ancient monuments are shown many times.

 

Cleopatra II was born in 185 BC.

She was the Queen of Egypt for sixty years, from 175 until her death in 115.

Sometimes she was a co-ruler with her first husband (Ptolemy VI). 

At other times she was a co-ruler with her second husband (Ptolemy VIII). 

For a while she was the sole ruler of Egypt.

 

The first husband = Ptolemy VI

** Born in 186 BC

** Died in 145 BC

 

The second husband = Ptolemy VIII

** Born in 184 BC

** Died in 116 BC

 

Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VI had a daughter who is known as Cleopatra III

** Born in 161

** Died in 101

 

On several occasions Cleopatra II and her two brothers could not agree om how Egypt should be ruled.

 

In 168 BC, they invited the Roman Senate to help them find a solution to the family conflict.

 

In 168 BC, the Roman Senate decided to send a Roman ambassador to Egypt: Gajus Popillius Laenas.

 

We do not know much about this person. We do not know when he was born or when he died. But we know he was active during the years 172-158 BC. He was consul twice: in 172 and in 158 BC.

 

The Roman ambassador Gajus Popillius Laenas helped the royal family find a solution, but it did not last long: soon the family conflict exploded again.

 

This film covers the extraordinary life and career of Cleopatra II in great detail.

 

It shows that she played an important role in Egyptian history during the second century BC. She has been described as one of the most powerful women in the ancient world.

 

What do reviewers say about this film?

 

On IMDb it has a rating of 71 percent.

 

In my opinion, this rating is too low.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

If you are interested in the history of the ancient world – in particular the history of ancient Egypt – this film is definitely something for you.

 

It is highly recommended.

 

REFERENCES

 

# 1. The following item is available online

 

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

The Cleopatras (part 2): Cleopatra II

The Past

07 August 2023

 

# 2. Film and video

 

On YouTube you can find several items about the ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra II

 

# 3. Books

 

The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt

By Aidan Dodson and Dyan Hilton

(2004 = hardcover)

(2010 = paperback)

 

Chronicle of the Queens of Egypt: 

From the Early Dynastic Times 

To the Death of Cleopatra

By Joyce Tyldesley

(2006)

 

The Queens of Ancient Egypt

By Rosanna Pirelli

(2007)

 

*****


An ancient portrait of Cleopatra II

(born 185 BC)

 (died 115 BC)

Queen of Egypt 175-115 BC

 

*****


Chronicle of the Queens of Egypt:

From the Early Dynastic Times

To the Death of Cleopatra

by Joyce Tyldesley

(2006)

 

*****

 

 

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