I-Cleopatra

This is a piece of creative writing. The thoughts, statements, and characters are inspired by historical research, but are not necessarily part of the historical record.

Today, I have received the first promising sign in months. I have been in exile for many months after my brother Ptolemy XIII threw me out of Alexandria. We were supposed to jointly rule, but he certainly did not follow our father's orders when he sent his older sister out. But, recently Caesar has moved in to Alexandria and it looks as though he is going to take it. This would anger me more than my brother ruling without me because I hate Rome. Rome is the most powerful nation, and I want Egypt to surpass it, but that will not happen if the Roman Caesar conquers Egypt. But, I am ecstatic with the news that Caesar himself has summoned me to his palace. I am supposed to go there tomorrow to meet him. I am thrilled of course at the chance to meet such a powerful man. But, it worries me as to why he wants to see me, a young woman of merely sixteen. Does he have honorable intentions? Does he want to kill me? But, I am going to get the chance to regain Alexandria. I have acquired a small army from Syria, and now I am waiting for the right time when I am able to take Alexandria. Caesar might be the very thing that allows me to do so. If my charms will work on him, as they do on many, I will be able to seize some of this great man's power for myself and Egypt. I must play everything right. I must prepare for tomorrow as I would a battle. I must be strong, confident, charming, beautiful, irresistible, and intelligent but not more than he is for I have found that upsets a man, especially one that is as self-involved as rumors say he is. Tomorrow will be my day, a day of triumph or defeat. I must come out victorious. This will be my first battle. I am nervous as anyone would be on the eve of an important battle. Numerous questions are passing through my head. I can not listen to the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring, instead I have to look for the possibilities tomorrow will bring. The opportunities I would miss if I did not attend far outweigh the uncertainty and anxiety. I must wait and go tomorrow to find out my destiny of queen of Egypt where I rightfully belong or of exile. This is why I must win, for Egypt and myself.

I awoke after a restless night of worrying. It was early morning; the hot Egyptian sun not yet risen. I brought one of my most trusted and ardent servants with me. I left the house after getting dressed in my best gown and putting my fanciest jewelry on. We sailed in a boat. I was nervous. I could not be seen. It was early morning, but there was still the chance that someone might be out. If I was caught, my brother would kill me. I was not thinking of Caesar and the day to come just yet. I was thinking of the chance I was taking by going back into Alexandria, but it was all going to be worth it.

We pulled up to the back of Caesar's palace. I had instructed my servant to bring a blanket because Caesar was only temporarily living here and shared this house with many other people. They could not see me, so my servant wrapped me up in the blanket and carried me inside. I reached Caesar's apartment and I told him to unwrap me. I fixed my hair and told him to wait in the boat. I knocked on Caesar's door. He invited me in and instructed me to have a seat. I was frightened. A chill ran down my back as this great and powerful man sat across from me and stared at me. He carried himself like a god. His chin was raised ten feet in the air. He had a loud bellowing voice that echoed through the room. I almost forgot why I had come. I told myself that I could do this. I just had to take a deep breath and trust myself. Act confident, aggressive, and show Caesar that I am not just some sixteen year old girl that could be easily manipulated. I am not scared or impressed by such a man as he, and it is going to take more than just his presence to get me to do what he wants. I had my head back on, and I was ready to win.

Caesar asked, "Did you have any trouble getting in?"

I replied, "Well, it depends how you feel about being rolled in a carpet!"

He laughed. He started to act more like a person than a military general, and I relaxed. The edge in his voice was gone. He was just another powerful man, and I had met many of those and I knew how to deal with him.

We frivolously chatted for awhile on the weather and other pointless subjects until I finally inquired, " Why is it that you have called me here today?"

He seemed stunned by my forwardness and aggressiveness. He replied, "I have heard rumors about the charming and beautiful Cleopatra, and I could not help it, I had to meet you. The rumors do not do you justice, if I might say."

"Thank you."

"I have also closely followed the troublesome ordeal between you and your brother. As you know, I am in a position to take Alexandria. In fact, any day now, the mission should be complete. Once I strip your brother of the throne, I need someone to put there in his place. I am a very busy man with many things to do. I can not be bothered with the revolts and rebellions that would arise if I, a Roman, were to become king of Egypt. So, this has sent me on a search for such a person that could do the job. My search has led me to you. From meeting a person, I have the gift of instantly being able to size them up. I have come to the conclusion that you would be perfect for this job. You already have it in with the Egyptians, you are very beautiful, confident and charming which I love, and I think I can trust you. But, if you would accept this position, I might have to stay in Egypt for awhile and make sure you are okay with the job. If any of this is not to your liking, tell me now and we will not waste either of our time. But, I hope you accept my offer, I think I might enjoy closely working with you."

I let out a sigh of relief. Could this have worked out better? Caesar has offered me back my powerful position in Alexandria and has kicked my brother out. He has implied that he wants to stay in Egypt and might have an interest in me. The most powerful man in Rome wants to spend time with me. Not only would this be great for me, but Egypt could gain something in this too. Egypt has a chance of becoming the most powerful nation in the world if I could steal some of Caesar's, therefore Rome's, power. My dream could come true, that is, if everything plays out just right. The anxieties and uncertainties that filled my body yesterday have fled. They are gone and I am ecstatic. Caesar could make everything right for me again. It looks like I have won my first battle. But, I still can not come on too strong. I do not want to scare him, as if I, a sixteen year old girl could scare the general and most powerful man in Rome. I replied, " I would be honored to accept your gracious offer to rule Egypt for you, and I would greatly like for you to stay in Egypt awhile to make sure everything is to your liking."

"That is wonderful. I am very pleased."

"Look at the time, the sun has set, so it is safe for me to return home."

"Well, I will call for you again when I have officially taken Alexandria, and we will take everything from there. I bid you a safe trip home, and I thank you for your presence here today."

"Thank you for the company and for your hospitality. I will await your call, and good luck with Alexandria."

I departed and sneaked out to the boat. We sailed home again. The journey had been worth the worry. Caesar has turned out to be a good man and not someone I should fear. The day has brought the best news of my life. And Caesar was not so bad himself. I have won my first battle. I will not mind spending time with him especially for my Egypt.

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By Alicia H. '02, Germantown Academy