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The Memoirs of Cleopatra Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Memoirs of Cleopatra novel. A total of 134 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Memoirs Of Cleopatra.Margaret George.Chapter 1.THE FIRST SCROLL.Warmth. Wind. Dancin
The Memoirs Of Cleopatra.Margaret George.Chapter 1.THE FIRST SCROLL.Warmth. Wind. Dancing blue waters, and the sound of waves. I see, hear, feel them all still. I even taste the sting of the salt against my lips, where the fine, misty spray coats them. An
- 134 At last Octavian himself appeared in his chariot, being saluted as the conqueror of the world, wearing the crown, rather than having it merely held over his head by a slave. And then . . . O shame! Walking behind the chariot, in chains, were Selene and Al
- 133 I draw it slowly out of its basket. It is longer than I had guessed; as long as the span of both my arms. And as it flops out, I see more movement in the basket. Nakht has sent two. That was foresighted of him."So here it is," I say, staring at the serp
- 132 I handed the note to Dolabella, who read it carefully. He nodded. "I shall do all that I can, my lady.""It is important to me. I cannot leave without it. Surely he will not be so hard-hearted as to deny me. The soldiers can guard me all the
- 131 "Shut up, Mardian!" I screamed, and leapt at him. The G.o.ds that had given me the insight had also given me the strength to spring half across the room. I started pelting Mardian on the shoulders, the arms, and trying to smack his face. "Y
- 130 There was no doubt that Octavian would carry out his threat. But why did he want me alive? Surely his much-vaunted "clemency" would not be stained because a stubborn woman had starved herself. I did not delude myself it was because he wanted to
- 129 "Here." I flung out my arm and pointed to it. Let them look. The pile was high, and from their hushed breathing, I knew it was more than they had imagined. "It is yours."Like children--why does gold unman us so?--they approached it, ga
- 128 "How did you get this?" I asked, laying my hand over the wound. "How did it get through your armor?""I--I myself," he said. "No enemy but Antony. Antony only conquers Antony.""My brave Imperator," I said,
- 127 "If you would keep me," I said, "then fight tomorrow as you have never fought before. Think you not that at this very moment Octavian is also making death preparations? It may be he who lies low tomorrow, not even attaining the age of Alexa
- 126 "He's here!" he said. "Just sighted, down the road to Canopus. He's rus.h.i.+ng, pus.h.i.+ng the men at double march. He must mean to get here and pitch camp before sundown."The plumes on his helmet swayed, and its beak preve
- 125 "So if it chance that you meet Octavian alone," I told them, "treat him with all courtesy. Be sure to call him . . . Imperator Caesar." It was all I could do not to choke on the words. " 'Octavian' antagonizes him."
- 124 "I have marked out the pa.s.sages I think will speak to you," he said."Thank you, dear friend." I stood up and took his hands. I wondered if I would ever see him again. This long, slow withdrawal of the tide was painful. More and more of the sh.o.r.e
- 123 Antony almost leapt across the s.p.a.ce and grabbed Thyrsus. "So! This is what Octavian sends! A fawning, silly boy! And you!" He rounded on me. "How can you stand there, allowing him to s...o...b..r all over your hand, encouraging him, leading him on?
- 122 "Well, enough of this." My spirits were low. I straightened my back. "Let us discuss the import taxes. After all, s.h.i.+ps are still docking. We are not blockaded by sea. . . ."It was a day like all the rest--as fine and light as the lines on a paint
- 121 "Yes," I said. "From the very beginning until this moment.""Moments," he mused. "I wonder how many of them we have left?""You should stop this now," I said briskly. "It's tiresome with the guests gone."He rolled over, with me in his arms. "Y
- 120 "We are hopelessly outnumbered," he said. "Why slaughter people needlessly?" I could not object; had I not said exactly the same thing about my supporters in Upper Egypt? But Egyptians far up the Nile could escape any partic.i.p.ation, whereas the leg
- 119 Antony nodded. "And to think they are all cousins--and cousins to Octavian.""That is what makes them dangerous to one another," I said.So we had arranged the ceremonies, the day when Caesarion would ride in his chariot through the streets of the city,
- 118 Of course I had others, but these were among my finest. And they were going to Octavian.Would he be tempted to try them on? Late at night, would he leave the box carelessly in his room, and then, when no one was looking, lift the diadem out and set it on
- 117 "I am no longer Antony," he said. "It is better that they do not see me. Let them remember me as I was. Let them cherish the medals--mementos of a great soldier! Not this man--not this man!" He extended his arms, brus.h.i.+ng them down over his chest,
- 116 "I could tell just by looking at you that you were practically starving,' 'he said, settling down on one of my couches and putting his hands behind his head."Why, because I could wear some gowns that had been too tight.7" I asked. "I was pleased abo
- 115 "Oh no!" said Mardian."What is it?""The legions deserted to Octavian. Right out from under their commander! Poor Scarpus had to leave; he is probably sheltering at Paraetonium.We had heard that Octavian had appointed Cornelius Gallus to take over the
- 114 Once anch.o.r.ed, we awaited the arrival of whatever stragglers might have managed to break away and follow us, as well as the heavier transports and the s.h.i.+ps from the few ports we still held, while we counted the accompanying vessels and refitted th
- 113 It was midmorning, and the sun was just clearing the mountains to the east, making the water glitter and outlining the shapes of the s.h.i.+ps dotting the surface. No one moved. Agrippa held his line steady and advanced no farther. He was not to be drawn
- 112 "He told me that my fate-spirit, my daimon, was overshadowed when Octavian's was near," Antony remembered. Of course Olympos had reported it to me. "Well, you were right, old friend. Ever since Octavian landed in Greece . . ." His
- 111 "To have gathered a fleet and an army like this, and not to use them!" I lamented the loss. It seemed--profligate."Neither the army nor the fleet is what it was," he reminded me. "If we could have used them in the beginning . . .&
- 110 "Sir!" Sosius was shocked."Because, henceforth, if I catch any deserters, I am going to execute them as a warning. This is becoming a dangerous hemorrhage, and I will have to take drastic measures to stanch it." He lifted his cup. &quo
- 109 "Were they higher, I would be well content," he replied tartly. "The conditions day after day wear away at them. And then there are the taunts from the other camp, the arrows and stones carrying messages, fired right into our midst."&q
- 108 "But it is essential that we at least be able to move them. Otherwise we must burn the empty s.h.i.+ps," said Sosius. "This way they can follow any breakout to safety.""So that is what you are thinking of." Now I realized the
- 107 "Tighter, Eros." Antony was testing his breastplate, pulling on the straps."Yes, my lord," he said obediently. "It has been a long time since I have performed this duty." He yanked on one shoulder strap."I know. Three ye
- 106 "If he did, we could stab him," said Amyntas eagerly. He brandished his dagger, which appeared gleamingly out of nowhere. It was curved and had some sort of engraving on its blade.Antony looked appalled. "No," he said. "I swear th
- 105 "It cannot easily be circled from the north, and it would be difficult to attack it from the south, being uphill. And the flat ground below can serve as a battlefield.""Or a camp for us," said Antony quickly. "We should establish
- 104 I felt the color draining from my face. So I was to be judged only as a foreigner, while Antony was exempt from blame, being a Roman?He, however, has looked haughtily and disdainfully upon my efforts, and will neither be pardoned though we would fain pard
- 103 Golden summer days lasted into October in Athens, but we were far too busy making our military arrangements to notice the swirling leaves or stroll among the b.u.t.terflies, dancing their last. Soon each contingent would depart to take up its watch in dif
- 102 "And t.i.tius with him, no doubt," I said. I had not yet had the opportunity to tell Antony about the conversation I was privy to in the garden, and I was saddened to hear it confirmed. I had hoped it was just a pa.s.sing mood with them."Yo
- 101 "It gives the lie to your life with me!" I said. "That's what it does!" And now all my caution, all my restraint, dissolved, and for the first time in my life I acted entirely and completely as a woman, no other considerations clo
- 100 "I am intimately involved in all these movements," I said. "Since I bore Caesar's child fifteen years ago, I am part of Roman politics, like it or not.""I don't don't like it!" he returned. like it!" he re
- 99 "Then we are forever new to one another," I whispered. "May it remain so." And I kissed him in such a way that he knew how greatly I prized and desired him.He did not disappoint me in his response.Chapter 69.We got up the idea of an ex
- 98 One must not quail at sending a sister to the executioner, if she has proved to be treacherously aiming for one's throne. Antony was not capable of such ruthlessness--although he had done it at my bidding. It was he who had ordered her taken from the
- 97 As for his personal morality--it was unspeakable. First, he had sold his favors to Caesar in exchange for being named his heir, and then pa.s.sed himself around to Caesar's friend Aulus Hirtius for another three hundred thousand sesterces. Then he ha
- 96 They left as soon as he released them.When they were gone, I turned to Antony. I was shaken. " "Why have you done this?" I asked."What, don't you want me buried beside you?" He put on a mock look of hurt."I mean--why did
- 95 Late that night, the guests gone, the rose petals mangled, the silk banners tattered and torn from the antics of the frightened monkeys, Antony and I stood in the echoing empty hall. The children had long since been sent to bed, even Caesarion, and we sto
- 94 We had put the final touches on it late at night some three days after the Triumph. Workers were still sweeping the streets clean, carts were still trundling out of the city piled high with the debris from the feasting; I did not want dogs and crows scave
- 93 "Our holy one has departed," said Nakht. "He must be prepared for the journey to eternity."By that I a.s.sumed he must be sent to the embalmer's. Only after the priests with their burden, followed by the other priests, left the co
- 92 "Come." He made his way toward the second division between the secular and the sacred, the first roofed hall. We pa.s.sed through the doorway and were surrounded by a forest of ma.s.sive pillars, their tops carved to look like lotus buds, suppor
- 91 My children were all safe in Alexandria. Caesarion had returned from Romei escaping whatever vague malevolence Octavian had planned for him. And I would not surrender them to the world so soon. But sometimes there is no choice for princes.The Median king
- 90 "Cornelia had Julia, and as for the other two--Pompeia was divorced for her suspected affairs, and Calpurnia spent barely any time with him. The case is hardly conclusive." I certainly knew more about this sort of thing than Octavian did! "
- 89 P. S. The Ludi Apollinares Ludi Apollinares are being celebrated--many days of chariot races and games, in honor of Apollo. Why don't we have anything like that? are being celebrated--many days of chariot races and games, in honor of Apollo. Why don&
- 88 Now Caesarion smiled. "Do you think so?" He tried not to look too pleased."Indeed. If you were three or four years older, I would speak to General t.i.tius or Plancus about you. How old are you--fourteen?" He knew very well the boy was
- 87 Mardian was stroking the turtle's head, and it seemed to enjoy it; at least it stopped struggling. "A tragedy," he agreed. "And now the . . . situation with Octavia.""Yes. She sits in Athens, surrounded by her bait. Octavian
- 86 He grunted. "Very well. I'll look at it. But I told you, I have no magic to cure wounds. They can baffle our best attempts."I had an equally hard time persuading Antony. He voiced the usual disclaimers--it's nothing, doesn't hurt,
- 85 Antony stopped at the side of one man wearing a ragged bandage on his head that covered one eye. He stooped down to speak to him."Where did you receive this wound?" he asked."With Gallus," he said. "I was beside him when the full
- 84 I took it and slowly opened it. My first words from him since our parting, a lifetime hence.M;y dearest--Eros will tell you all It is too long, and painful dearest--Eros will tell you all It is too long, and painful, to recount here, and a wound I receive
- 83 The late summer, one of the clearest and windiest in years, cried out for enjoyment, but I was in the grip of dreadful waiting. As days pa.s.sed with no word from the east, I grew more and more agitated. It seemed as though Antony and his huge army had di
- 82 He nodded. "Thank you. I hope Antony was pleased. Now, as to my proposal--I would be honored if you would allow me to rent the balsam and palm groves from you, for their true worth. That way you would receive the income, but be spared the bother of h
- 81 Early May, and we were in Armenia, being feasted by Antony's new-won ally, King Artavasdes, in his drafty palace overlooking the valley of the Araxes River. It was an elaborate structure, and as I looked around the dim chamber I became aware that the
- 80 "Well, here in Antioch they are too lazy to get up out of their scented baths to form form a mob," I said. a mob," I said."Good," said Mardian. "That makes the streets safer."Alexander and Selene had betrayed great curio
- 79 "I cannot think clearly when I am lying down amidst a field of pillows, especially with you beside me. Tell me--where are the papers of Caesar's from which you have planned this campaign? I would like to see them.""Do you not believe m
- 78 He came to my chamber early, looking solemn. But whatever his thoughts, he stood there manfully and extended his hand to take mine. Silently we descended to the waiting carriage. Through the gauze of the veil I could see the other man waiting, a man with
- 77 "And you?" To come to this point, and so quickly! I had not meant to."I stay here.""Forever?""That depends.""On Parthia?""Partly. And partly on what happens elsewhere," he said."You cannot s
- 76 "How easily you seem to have forgotten," I said. "We are already in an alliance. We are Friend and Ally of the Roman People."He shrugged, as if it were of no moment."I keep my word," I said. "If it is to be broken, it mu
- 75 I opened my palm and stared at its bright beauty. It was an aureus, a gold coin, with the heads of Antony and Octavia. So he was minting money with his wife's head on it! It made me angry, as Olympos meant it to.As if to cover up his blatant provocat
- 74 "I knew it!" He shook his head. "And why, pray tell, should I go to Rome? Other than to spy on Antony?"I ignored the last question. "Because I prize your talent for healing. But time has marched on; there are new techniques in the
- 73 And thus they became man and wife.A new begetting now descends from heaven s height. new begetting now descends from heaven s height.I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding. I felt sick at my stomach. It was only a dream, only a dream. . . . Over a
- 72 As well he knew, his presence could be very persuasive.Thanks to Epaphroditus, my welcoming banquet was a complete success. The menu omitted all the things hateful to a pract.i.tioner of the Jewish religion, and the table was set with newly acquired brigh
- 71 "But isn't there really an Apollo?" His voice sounded very small."Well, yes . . . but he doesn't actually ride a chariot across the sky with four horses pulling it. He has more to do with creativity--with music and all the bright
- 70 "I see you didn't go through with it," he said sadly."I couldn't," I whispered. "I didn't want to.""You shouldn't have been afraid. I told you--""I wasn't afraid," I a.s.sured him.
- 69 "We can sit on the steps," I said. "Come, they won't hurt you.""I refuse to enter a tomb! I fear it would be a bad omen.""We needn't go inside." And indeed, I would not have wanted to--it lay in deep darkn
- 68 "I wish to change places with Octavian," I finally said.He roared with laughter. "And wear his sun hats and chest flannels? The summer sun is too hot for him, and the winter chill too cruel, so he has to protect himself before venturing out
- 67 Epaphroditus looked perplexed. "Your Majesty, that would take many days. Has the most n.o.ble lord Antony the time?""I have the time, if it is something I should see," Antony said quickly."Just a short tour of the receiving statio
- 66 "It's all gone to h.e.l.l," he said, shaking his head, when I found him. At his feet were the curled letters from Tyre and Rome, lying forlornly."What is it?" I bent down to pick them up, but waited for him to tell me."War in
- 65 The wine began to affect me, too. I felt my reserve and standoffishness start to dissolve. Gradually the tavern did not seem tatty and rude, but excitingly wicked. I even felt my arms start to trace out the dancer's movements under my cloak. Suddenly
- 64 I always enjoyed surprising him. "And of course you will have to compete in everything, so it will be a smaller affair than the regular games," I continued. "After all, you are not a charioteer, nor do you perform acrobatics--do you?"
- 63 Alone in my cabin, I sank down in the bed to sleep at last. There had certainly been none during the night. I pulled the covers over my shoulders and closed my eyes, shutting out the sunlight streaming into the room.I smiled. The banquet, with its costly
- 62 "Come as my guest. You would do it for anyone else! Do not do less for ^ ^ >> me."Because you are are you, I must do less." you, I must do less.""Then you punish me for being Cleopatra, and not Cytheris or Glaphyra."&qu
- 61 What was I to do next? One time can be a surprise, a mistake, a venture. But after that... it becomes a deliberate decision. I could never pretend to myself to be taken unawares again by Antony.What was the point in continuing? He was married to the fears
- 60 "It was in the hands of the G.o.ds," he finally said. "But the outcome was entirely right. Our Caesar is repaid now."The first course of the meal was starting, and the company of Romans and Tarsians was murmuring in wonder at the dishe
- 59 I had enjoyed the afternoon, and I found Archelaus appealing. But only as I found many other things, and people, appealing: the priest of Serapis who came to me whenever I wished to celebrate an anniversary or make a special offering; the woman who tended
- 58 Mardian enjoyed himself thoroughly, searching the world over for suitable candidates for my hand. He came up with Idumaeans, Greeks, Paphlagonians, Nubians--including the Kandake's own son--Galatians, and Armenians. Just to vex him, I had made a list
- 57 I looked toward sh.o.r.e--or, rather, away from the wind. I could see the faint pinp.r.i.c.k of a light--it must be one of the signal lighthouses. If I could see it, that was bad indeed. It meant we were close to the coastline.The captain made his way bac
- 56 "I would comply willingly," I said, the words sounding abominable in my own ears, "but my country is devastated by plague. The fleet is not finished yet, and I can get no workmen to continue, let alone sailors to man it. We are in dire stra
- 55 All Alexandria had to observe mourning along with the palace for seven days. Business was suspended and amba.s.sadors waited, boats rode at anchor with their cargoes, bills went unpaid.It was now October, and the Nile had clearly failed. The water barely
- 54 My father had built part of the temple, and very proud of it he had been. On the temples of Upper Egypt he had been--carved in stone, at least--the warrior king he had not been in the flesh. I remembered my excitement when he had brought me here as a chil
- 53 The hateful Decimus, his kinsman, named one of Caesar's heirs--who had lured him from his house to the Senate!"I must acquaint myself with your holy book," I said. "It seems to have much of mankind in it. It can ease sorrow by acknowle
- 52 "That is what makes you a good queen--you have the fort.i.tude to endure it," said Mardian."Mardian, I need to know how my absence was looked on here." I trusted him to be honest with me."ln the palace? Why--""No, not in
- 51 His words were hard, but it was a relief to have them spoken so boldly."I am sorry," he said. "I am sorry about what happened to Caesar.""I know you didn't like him. You never did, and you were honest about that.""T
- 50 Standing a little distance behind them was a dark, handsome face. Epaphroditus! I was shocked to see him there, as if his primary business were here now, instead of in a warehouse on the docks."Welcome home, Your Majesty," he said, stepping forw
- 49 Calpurnia was already there, on the curving steps of the round Temple of Vesta. She looked almost pleased to see me, her sister in this strange way, her companion in loss."They are on their way here," she said. "They took his--they took him
- 48 The boy had come back, bringing two companions and a st.u.r.dy canvas litter. They hung back in the doorway and stared. Finally I said, "Come here," and they obeyed, tiptoeing up as if they were afraid Caesar would rise up under the toga.And, oh
- 47 I opened it slowly and found a silver medallion there, on a small chain. I shook it out into the palm of my hand and turned it over. It had an elephant on one side, and lettering on the other."It was my mother's," he said. "The elephan
- 46 His perfect forearm, straight and strong, thrust the diadem toward Caesar. It trembled in the clear air, its whiteness making it s.h.i.+mmer a little.Caesar looked at it as if he were eyeing a snake, something dangerous that was about to strike."Nay,
- 45 "No, because you sit down first," I said with a smile."You witnessed what it used to be. Sitting down was not a cure." He carefully sat up. "There. The room is still. My limbs obey. And I never lost consciousness." He sounded
- 44 To my amazement, he turned his back on me and walked away.In all my life, no one had ever done that. But this was Rome, and the Saturnalia was a time of license. Masters served their slaves, and hosts turned their backs on guest queens."Come," I
- 43 Caesar started laughing again. "Hush. Or Fulvia will beat you, and I will cancel the appointment.""Along with all those other new appointments you have made?" Antony turned toward me, as to a confidant. "Caesar has increased the n
- 42 "Not by you," I said. "Rome is a greater challenge today. Leave Parthia for Caesarion. After all, if you have conquered the entire world, what will be left for him? You have to leave something for the next generation to aspire to."&quo
- 41 I motioned to him and drew him over to us. He had to shove and push his way past a boiling surge of people, looking irritated the whole time."Your Majesty," he said, bowing. "But no, you cannot be Cleopatra during Saturnalia. You must be so
- 40 Very slowly, I turned and looked in a corner of the window. There, on the far side of the room, on a low couch, were a man and a woman making heated love. The woman was twisting and moaning, and the man's back was heaving and straining. I could see a
- 39 "I can do neither," he said. "It is against my nature. They must be true to their nature, and I to mine."I shook my head. "This is too lofty for me," I said. "I understand and revere one trait above all others: loyalty.
- 38 "I give this new covered marketplace and public building to the citizens of Rome," he said. "Our older ones no longer serve our needs; they are neither large nor modern enough. And so I name this the Basilica Julia, in honor of my family li
- 37 "Now that all are silent," said Caesar, holding up his hands, "I wish to give you my thanks for coming to honor Egypt and myself. Yesterday we celebrated a Triumph over rebel forces in Egypt. Today we honor its Queen and King, Cleopatra and
- 36 "Indeed," she said.They pa.s.sed on into the larger room, and I turned to Valeria."At last, a wholehearted supporter of Caesar!" I said."Yes. But he is such a broken reed to lean upon." She shook her head. "Lepidus is .
- 35 The s.h.i.+ps were ramming one another; grapnels were hurled and soldiers swarmed onto enemy s.h.i.+ps, swords flas.h.i.+ng. Firebrands flew through the air, setting rigging aflame. Some of these missiles landed among the spectators, causing screams and p