133. Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile

This episode of the "Empire" podcast interviews Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of a Cleopatra biography, to discuss Cleopatra's life and reign. The hosts and Schiff explore Cleopatra's upbringing in Hellenistic Alexandria, her complex family dynamics (including sibling marriages and assassinations), and her relationship with Julius Caesar. Schiff uses Cleopatra's coin portraits as a source for her physical description, contrasting them with popular portrayals. The discussion also delves into the political climate of the time, the cultural differences between Alexandria and Rome, and the opulent lifestyle of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of Cleopatra beyond popular culture depictions, learning about her political acumen and the historical context of her life.