A biography of Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC), Egyptian queen (of Macedonian descent), the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. It concentrates on the fascinating aspect of Cleopatra's ever-shifting identity; and offers readers a sense not only of Cleopatra, but also of the literature and historiography of the time.

Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC), Egyptian queen (of Macedonian descent) is the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. This biography will concentrate on the fascinating aspect of Cleopatra's ever-shifting identity. A master of self-presentation, she was the first to craft for herself an image or, to be precise, a number of images. Depending on the audience, she might present herself as a goddess, a political leader, or an alluring and exotic woman. The tension embodied in our sources for Cleopatra's life make her story especially captivating. The accounts of her life, which were written by contemporaries and even acquaintances, will offer the reader a sense not only of Cleopatra, but also of the literature and historiography of the time. Prudence Jones is now Assistant Professor at Montclair State University, having graduated from Harvard University with a Ph.D. in Classical Philology. She has lectured widely on Cleopatra, including at the APA Annual Meeting in Dallas in 1999. She is the author of "Cleopatra: A Sourcebook" and articles in journals, such as "Classical World" and "Latomus".