One of the most celebrated female figures in world history, Cleopatra's life and reign are shrouded in mystery and legend. Heir to the Ptolemaic Dynasty, this young queen ascended to the throne at the age of seventeen, as a co-ruler with her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII. Political intrigue and fighting resulted in Ptolemy XIII banishing Cleopatra from Alexandria, but she regained her throne with the help of one of the world's most powerful men, Julius Caesar of Rome. This A&E special presentation looks at the life of Cleopatra and the world she inhabited, the ancient city of Alexandria. Alexandria, home to the great library and lighthouse, was the center of scholarship and commerce in the ancient world. Today, archeologists are locating the ruins of Cleopatra's palace and other treasures under the water, which have reclaimed much of the ancient city.

Cleopatra's World: Alexandria Revealed would be useful for classes on Ancient history, Egyptian History, Ancient Culture, Archeology, Mythology, Gender History and Geography. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Students will examine the history of both ancient and modern day Egypt. They will learn about dynastic successions and their role in ancient history, as well as the role of Rome and Egypt in the ancient world. They will explore the modern archeological methods that are discovering the ruins of ancient Egypt.

Cleopatra's World: Alexandria Revealed fulfills the following National World History Standards for grades 5-12: Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Historical Analysis and Interpretation for era 3.

Part 1

• abdicate
• animosity
• artifacts
• ascertain
• audacity
• auspices
• beguile
• blatant
• conjuring
• cowardice
• dynastic
• elusive
• embarks
• embodiment
• esoteric
• evokes
• exorbitant
• intoxicated
• intrigue
• investiture
• lascivious
• legacy
• legendary
• mausoleum
• obelisks
• ominous
• opulent
• painstaking
• papyri
• polygamy
• prestigious
• prominence
• provocation
• rebuke
• relentless
• sanctuary
• seductive
• squander
• sumptuous
• temptress
• vestiges
• vindictive
• vixen
• wafted

1. Modern archeology is a mix of the ancient and the new. How is modern technology bringing Cleopatra's world back to life?

2. Egypt was the center of the ancient world with its riches and commerce. How did Egypt become so important?

3. Throughout the centuries, books, plays and movies have been written and produced about Cleopatra. But the real Cleopatra was far different than her Hollywood image. How do media images of the Egyptian queen differ from the real woman?

4. What is an Egyptologist? How do these scholars add to our knowledge of the ancient world?

5. The treasures of Alexandria are under water. Why?

6. Discuss the role of commerce in the growth and prominence of Alexandria in the ancient world.

7. Egypt was probably the richest empire in the ancient world, but it fell into debt with the Roman Empire. How did this happen?

8. How did Cleopatra become Pharaoh, a position usually associated with men?

9. Julius Caesar was one of Rome's greatest generals and most powerful men. But his fellow Romans murdered him. How did Caesar lose the respect and good will of his fellow Romans and senators?

10. How did Cleopatra and Mark Antony become personal and political partners?

11. Although he was in love with Cleopatra, Mark Antony married Octavia, the sister of Caesar's heir, Octavian. Why did he marry this woman when he was in love with another?

12. How did Mark Antony gain the hatred and animosity of the Romans?

13. Discuss the defeat at Actium and its importance in world history.

14. Every culture has its own death rituals. What were the death rituals of ancient Egypt? What are the death rituals of your culture?

15. Mark Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. Why?

16. Why did Octavian murder Cleopatra's children?

17. What is the Rosetta Stone? Why is this artifact so important to our knowledge of the ancient world?

1. Imagine that you are an architect in ancient Egypt. Design a palace for Cleopatra.

2. Construct a model of the Great Library at Alexandria.

3. Research the lighthouse Pharos of Alexandria and the other wonders of the ancient world. Create a poster illustrating the seven wonders.

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Air Dates

• January 15, 2001
• March 26, 2001