This week the Roman historian and archaeologist Jane Draycott takes us to meet one of history’s most glamorous and infamous couples, Antony and Cleopatra.

We join them in a crucial year in the history of Ancient Rome, around 31/30 BCE, when the Roman republic fell away and Octavian – later Emperor Augustus – seized power and founded the Roman Empire, with disastrous consequences for Antony, Cleopatra and their children.

This dramatic piece of history forms the origin story of Cleopatra Selene, Antony and Cleopatra’s only daughter and the subject of Jane’s fascinating new book, Cleopatra’s Daughter: Egyptian Princess, Roman Prisoner, African Queen.

In this episode we explore the years leading up to the Battle of Actium as well as the battle itself and Antony and Cleopatra’s subsequent suicides. We unravel the truth behind some of the most famous stories about the couple, and explore the nature of female political power in the ancient world.

Show notes

Scene One: 2nd September 31 BCE. The Battle of Actium.

Scene Two: 1st August 30 BCE. Octavian captures Alexandria and the suicide of Mark Antony.

Scene Three: 10th August 30 BCE. The suicide of Cleopatra.

Momento: Cleopatra’s long-lost mausoleum.

People/Social

Presenter: Artemis Irvine

Guest: Jane Draycott

Production: Maria Nolan

Podcast partner: Ace Cultural Tours

Theme music: ‘Love Token’ from the album ‘This Is Us’ By Slava and Leonard Grigoryan

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Jane Draycott: Antony and Cleopatra (31/30 BCE)