Cleopatra--a brave, astute, and charming woman who spoke many languages, entertained lavishly, hunted, went into battle, eliminated siblings to consolidate her power, and held off the threat of Imperial Rome to protect her country as long as she could--continues to fascinate centuries after she ruled Egypt. These wide-ranging essays explore such topics as Cleopatra's controversial trip to Rome, her suicide by snake bite, and the afterlife of her love...