Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2004. Graduate Programme in English. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 353-399). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ99261.

Shakespeare's Cleopatra is a character of magnificent aspect, a puzzling paradox of magnetic intensity, an intensified diversity unmatched by any other Cleopatra in literary history. Although she was not his invention, Shakespeare made of her a living woman, believable in spite of her incredulous behavior.

Thesis (doctoral)--Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, 2003.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1984. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-212). Also available via the Internet.

Inaug.-Diss.--Leipzig. / Vita. Bibliographical footnotes.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University

Although Cleopatra is best known for her reported beauty, her influence went well beyond her outward appearance in Egyptian and Roman society. Cleopatra was a bright woman and used her beauty as a mechanism to profoundly affect those around her without arousing too much suspicion. In a time when it was uncommon and unpopular to have a woman in a position of such power, Cleopatra used her cunning to manipulate situations to her favor so that she could keep her power. In the pursuit of constructing a historical analysis of the perceptions of Cleopatra, this research addresses the ways in which Cleopatra has been portrayed and then provides a clear compare and contrast of that with how she actually lived and conducted herself. This study utilized a historical design, and ultimately textual analysis, to answer the research question. To facilitate the research on the topic of the political influences of Cleopatra, it is necessary to find and analyze both primary and secondary sources. Sources of this type are imperative in historical research in order to triangulate information. Primary sources for this topic consist of writings authored by individuals who were familiar with Cleopatra and her actions as a ruler. These primary sources ended up being primarily from Roman authors as they were more prolific writers than people from other areas. Secondary sources were also utilized in order to incorporate other scholar's writings and conclusions about Cleopatra and the people around her. These documents help to elucidate findings from researchers of Cleopatra and provide insight into her relationships and interactions with others. Amassing and analyzing these two types of sources together ultimately helped form a clearer picture of what evidence exists about Cleopatra and her life. This research is not yet completed, however, based on what information has been gathered so far, the expected outcome is the conclusion that Cleopatra was definitely not exactly what people in her time or currently have perceived her to be. Cleopatra, like any historical figure, is not two-dimensional; she is quite complex, in fact. From what has been gathered thus far, it has been easy to see that individuals who wrote about her around her lifetime had some interesting variations in what they believed to be true about her. From analyzing many of the similarities and differences that exist in these writings, it seems to be logical to expect that the Cleopatra was not all that her contemporaries have made her out to be and, in fact, was a bit more clever than any of them wished to give her credit for. It also initially appears that Cleopatra’s role in the events that transpired with the men in her life was not just a passive one but a very active, influential one.

Inaug.-Diss.--Tübingen. / Vita. Bibliography: p. [171]-173.

Augustus was a master of propaganda who employed Ancient and Hellenized Egypt as a means to legitimize his newly acquired power in Rome after the Battle of Actium. This thesis examines the ways in which Augustus moulded the people, imagery and religion of Egypt to suit his political needs. This was accomplished through an examination of the modified imagery of major Egyptian political figures such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra VII. The symbolism of their images was altered to enhance Augustus’ standing in Rome. Augustus’ inspirations were also considered, namely Alexander the Great who became a significant influence for Augustus as was evident through the various similarities in their seal rings, family history, and the nature of both their roles as ‘restorers’ and ‘saviours’. The most predominant source for evidence of Augustus’ use of Egypt was found in his transportation of monumental obelisks from Egypt into the Circus Maximus and the Campus Martius. These monuments served to beautify the city while justifying Augustus’ authority in Rome. A close second to the transportation of the monumental architecture of Egypt was Augustus’ representation of the Battle of Actium upon his coinage. The battle was depicted typically with a tethered crocodile, stalks of wheat, a lituus, and a bareheaded Augustus. These actions augmented the prestige of Rome and presented Augustus as a powerful and reliable leader. In terms of religion, Augustus welcomed the practice of Egyptian cults while protecting the physical presence of Rome’s traditional religious core, the pomerium. This appealed to worshippers of both traditional and foreign cults and further enhanced his favour in Rome. Ultimately, Augustus’ actions served to increase his own prestige and credibility. This allowed Augustus to legitimize the authority of his rule and to initiate the beginnings of a stable Roman empire that would endure through Tiberius’ reign and those to follow.

Augustus was a master of propaganda who employed Ancient and Hellenized Egypt as a means to legitimize his newly acquired power in Rome after the Battle of Actium. This thesis examines the ways in which Augustus moulded the people, imagery and religion of Egypt to suit his political needs. This was accomplished through an examination of the modified imagery of major Egyptian political figures such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra VII. The symbolism of their images was altered to enhance Augustus’ standing in Rome. Augustus’ inspirations were also considered, namely Alexander the Great who became a significant influence for Augustus as was evident through the various similarities in their seal rings, family history, and the nature of both their roles as ‘restorers’ and ‘saviours’. The most predominant source for evidence of Augustus’ use of Egypt was found in his transportation of monumental obelisks from Egypt into the Circus Maximus and the Campus Martius. These monuments served to beautify the city while justifying Augustus’ authority in Rome. A close second to the transportation of the monumental architecture of Egypt was Augustus’ representation of the Battle of Actium upon his coinage. The battle was depicted typically with a tethered crocodile, stalks of wheat, a lituus, and a bareheaded Augustus. These actions augmented the prestige of Rome and presented Augustus as a powerful and reliable leader. In terms of religion, Augustus welcomed the practice of Egyptian cults while protecting the physical presence of Rome’s traditional religious core, the pomerium. This appealed to worshippers of both traditional and foreign cults and further enhanced his favour in Rome. Ultimately, Augustus’ actions served to increase his own prestige and credibility. This allowed Augustus to legitimize the authority of his rule and to initiate the beginnings of a stable Roman empire that would endure through Tiberius’ reign and those to follow.