Tag: Mark Antony

Angelina Jolie Cleopatra in Film of Stacy’s Schiff’s Biography of Egyptian Queen

Angelina Jolie cast as Cleopatra for new biopic slash blockbuster Angelina Jolie will play Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt, in a film adapted from Stacy Schiff’s upcoming book ‘Cleopatra: A Life’. It’s hardly likely to subdue those arguing Cleopatra was little more than ‘Egypt’s sex kitten’ (opposed by myself, Nele and Rosemary Joyce in her blog and book ‘Ancient Bodies’, I must say), but it’s exciting news nonetheless.

The book won’t be published until autumn 2010, but producer Scott Rudin has already purchased film rights, saying the movie ‘is being developed for and with Jolie’. Author Schiff has even hinted at Brad Pitt playing Roman general Mark Antony, reminding us of the 1963’s Cleopatra starring (brief) Hollywood sweethearts Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Although I’m curious for the end result, I believe Jolie is miscast in this role. She does great goddesses (Beowulf) and mythical figures (Alexander), but Cleopatra was a real figure, ruling in Graeco-Roman times. Angelina Jolie is even a closer match to the Nefertiti Bust than Cleopatra VII, Ptolemaic Queen!

Maybe with sexy Jolie in the lead (or especially with Jolie in the lead) it won’t all be about Cleopatra’s two love affairs. Maybe the ruler of Egypt will get as much credit for ‘ruling’ as Caesar and Mark Anthony? Maybe they’ll realise there is no need to recreate the 1963 hype of having a celebrity couple as Cleopatra and Mark Anthony (Mrs and Mr Smith should be a warning)? Maybe Asterix and Obelix will get a cameo role? Maybe the film will indeed dispel the Cleopatramovie myths that focusedon glamour and Cleopatra’s skills as seductress?

Regardless of the narrative’s balance, the movie should encourage people to read up on ancient Egypt. But definitely, independent of how Egypt’s queen is portrayed, ‘Cleopatra(2011)’ promises to be just like Troy and Alexander a major blockbuster. Sadly blockbusters can only really be blockbusters when they contain enough disaster and/or violence and eroticism, right?

If you had no budget limitations, and people could be raised from the dead (without looking like zombies), who would you cast as Cleopatra, Mark Anthony and Julius Caesar?

On a happier note, Henry Cavill (The Tudor’s Charles Brandon) as Theseus in Tarsem Singh’s ‘Immortals’ (originally titled ‘War of the Gods’) now has an official release date, November 11th 2011. Director Tarsem Siggh (The Cell) describes Immortals as ‘Caravaggio meets Fight Club’ (rather than historically correct) and even Stephen Dorff returns to the screen as Stavros, helping Theseus to free Greece from the dark threat of the Titans. Except for post-shooting rendering to 3D, surely nothing can go wrong with this one?

Queen Cleopatra: More than Egypt’s Sex Kitten

The exhibition ‘Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt’ premired this weekend at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Blogs and major newspapers have been in awe about the exhibition, featuring the amazingphotographs from the underwater excavations by Franck Goddioand articles about Cleopatra’s glamour and quite disastrous – love life. There’s nothing but praise for the ‘beautiful queen’ and mass coverage on the two quests for her tomb, where she rests with lover Mark Antony. But a true must-read before visiting the exhibition is Rosemary Joyce’s critical blog entry on how we perceive the last Queen of Egypt. She protests quite rightly against how Cleopatra is hardly recognized as historical subject because she ruled Egypt, but rather because of the mythology of her doomed love affair, and the breathless treatment of a ruler as a sex kitten.

Rosemary Joyce is professor of anthropology at UC Berkeley and author of the book ‘Ancient Bodies, Ancient Lives: Sex, Gender and Archaeology’ that I’m currently reading. In the book she accessibly explains how archaeology in the past, and today, focuses too much on a male / female division of society, which leads to simplified models and incorrect generalisations. She demonstrates that sex, nor gender, were necessarily how men and woman in ancient cultures distinguished themselves, and makes a good case for less generalisation and more individuality. A reoccurring theme in the book handles noble Maya woman, and the theory that their importance was not limited to producing future rulers, but thatthey had political influence and powerful roles in their society.

Though Joyce hardly mentions Egypt in her book, the parallels are definitely there: we talk about Pharaohs and the rulers as male, and the princesses and wives as hardly worth mentioning, unless to figure out who was King Tut’s mummy… err.. mommy.

As Rosemary Joyce puts it on her ‘Ancient Bodies’ blog:

Discussions of ancient queens almost always display a concern with how they came to power that assumes women ruling were abnormal. This in turn leads to an emphasis on their relations with powerful men the fathers they succeed, the sons for whom they serve as regents, or as in Cleopatras case the men with whom they were sexually involved.

There are a few ‘exceptions’ to the fact that women in Ancient Egypt are forgettable: Nefertiti, known for her beauty, Hatshepsut, known for dressing up like a man and Cleopatra, known for seducing two Roman rulers. Still, all three of them have achieved more than that, and in their times were probably not just regarded as ‘mother of’, ‘wife of’ or ‘lover of’. Joyce on Cleopatra during her reign:

She was regarded asa ruler: the political leader whose strategies make her an excellent example of how independent kingdoms tried to contain the expansion of the Roman empire. Because she cannot be reduced to a type a generic woman she serves as a possible way into the thorny thicket of treating women (and men) in the past as actors with their own motivations, not reducible to generic categories.

Personally, I wonder why were are still ‘romancing Cleopatra’. Surely as an aspiring sole ruler she must have realised how advantageous an affair with the most powerful Roman alive would be? And with him gone, she needed protection once more. Pure political choices, rather than genuine love and romance? Although Antony may not have been the best bet, should Queen Cleopatra not be given more credit for being a cunning political strategist, and less pity for her doomed love affairs?

Looking forward to read your opinions on this! 😉

Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt Opens at Franklin Institute, Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute plays host to the world premiere of Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt this Saturday (June 5). The exhibition, which runs until January 2 2011, promises to be a spectacular affair, combining over 150 artefacts relating to the famous queen, and visits the archaeology that is unearthing her amazing world day by day (click here for an interview with the Institute’s Troy Collins).

The show is organised by National Geographic, the same brains behind the Terracotta Warriors’ recent trip across North America. The exhibition’s showcase treasures include statues, jewellery and everyday items from Cleopatra’s fateful reign – here’s a quick list of the top artefacts:

Colossus of a Ptolemaic King: This huge red granite statue weighs in at 5.5 tons, and reaches a height of 16.5ft. The king in whose image it was created is unknown.

Colossal Head of Caesarion: Another large granite artefact, this time representing Caesarion, Cleopatra’s son who ruled with her from 44-30 BC. It is part of a statue which would have reached around 16ft in height.

Statue of a Ptolemaic Queen: this spooky statue is thought to represent either Cleopatra II or III, both of whom ruled Egypt during the mid-2nd century BC. Her most intriguing feature is her highly detailed hair, on which sits a diadem, or crown, emblazoned with the uraeus snake, symbol of Egypt. It’s one of many ancient treasures that have been pulled from the Bay of Aboukir, where Franck Goddio claims to have discovered the royal palace of Cleopatra.

Papyrus signed by Cleopatra:For me this seems the exhibition’s most fascinating artefact. For while the show’s other pieces are draped in grandeur and artistic splendour, this seemingly uninspiring tax exemption form was signed by none other than Cleopatra herself, apparently as a gesture of goodwill towards her Roman lover Mark Antony. Not only is it a glimpse into Cleopatra’s life, it’s also a rare insight into the daily bureaucracy of the ancient world.

Click To Watch Video

Search for the Tomb of Cleopatra (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Martinez)

Dr Kathleen Martinez, a young archaeologist from the Dominican Republic, has been excavating a site in Giza in the search for the tomb of Cleopatra.

CLICK TO WATCH

The exhibition’s artefacts may be spectacular enough, but just as intriguing is its collection of information and relics from the two highest-profile digs going on in search of Cleopatra. One is going on at Taposiris Magna, 30 miles west of Alexandria, led by Dominican archaeologist Kathleen Martinez (watch a video of the dig here).

The team is funded by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. Its chief, Dr Zahi Hawass, says the show gives a glimpse into the life of one of the world’s greatest characters. “This exhibition will give the American people the chance to learn about our search for Cleopatra, and will share with them the magic of this fascinating queen.”

Franck Goddio’s longstanding underwater search for Cleopatra will also be featured in the exhibition. Since 1992 Goddio and his team have been scouring the Mediterranean for remnants of the queen, and believe they have located her royal palace (click here for a list of the world’s top ten underwater cities). “We are delighted to present our underwater archaeological acheivements and discoveries…to the American public,” says Goddio.

Cleopatra (69-30 BC) was the last ruler of Egypt before it was taken by the Romans. Known as one of her era’s most beautiful women she won the hearts of two of Rome’s most powerful men – Julius Caesar and Mark Antony – before committing suicide when Egypt was finally lost. Following her death the Romans wiped out any trace of Cleopatra, making her one of the ancient world’s most enigmatic rulers.

They’ve found an opening! Egyptologists reach end of tunnel in Seti I tomb

Question who can completely fill up a cavernous 1,500 seat domed hall on a Saturday night in Toronto?

Answer Dr. Zahi Hawass

I dont get to introduce rock stars, said Art Gallery of Ontario CEO Matthew Teitelbaum.

Well tonight he did.

Forget the critical New Yorker article, the mixed reviews of the new Tut exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, or the fact that local Toronto media largely stayed away from this lecture.

The worlds most well-known Egyptologist completely filled Convocation Hall, with people who had all paid a small admission fee (no more than $18) to hear him speak.

There was a line snaking up Kings College Circle (the street outside the hall) an hour before it even started.

Now, before I get into what Dr. Hawass said, I should say this Ive been cursed.

My tape recorder has never failed me. Ive recorded hundreds of interviews/lectures on it, with never a serious problem. But tonight it failed, I didnt know until after the lecture, and Im still not certain why.

In fact it stopped just moments after Dr. Hawass started to speak very strange.

Hawass once mused about curses now Im beginning to as well (Watch the video about King Tut’s curse).

So relying on my scribbled notes and my recollection Ill drop these news notes:

End of the Tunnel

The biggest piece of discovery news is that researchers appear to have come to the end of the tunnel in the tomb of Seti I. This tomb was discovered in the 19th century, but work clearing the tunnel hasnt taken place until recently (partly because its difficult to do without collapsing the entire tomb).

Dr. Hawass showed a picture of the debris filled tunnel, with a sliver of an opening. Theyve found that there is a stone staircase leading down to it. Near the opening they found a hieroglyphic inscription, its nothing fancy – it looks like it had been scribbled on the wall. Unfortunately I dont have a translation.

Thats what the situation wasas ofThursday. This means that soon we should know where the tunnel leads. Hawass pointed out that only a small number of artefacts were found in the tomb of Seti I. This has led to speculation that the tunnel leads to the real burial chamber of the king. Could we be on the threshold of a big royal tomb find? We just might.

HD Video: Join Zahi Hawass Inside the Mysterious Tunnel in the Tomb of Seti I

(Transcription of this video.)

The search for the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony

Work continues on the site of Taposiris Magna, which may hold the burial of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. No Cleopatra burial yet, but they have recently uncovered a statue of Isis. Thats in addition to 22 coins that have Cleopatras image and a bust that also appear to show the fated ruler. (See the video interview with Kathleen Martinez here.)

Finding the tomb of Cleopatra may be a long-shot. Scholars have argued that Emperor Augustus would never have allowed the couple to be buried in such a prominent place. After all Augustus was in the process of ending pharaonic rule and turning Egypt into a Roman province. In any case we can certainly expect to hear of more Ptolemaic discoveries from this site.

HDVideo: Search for the Tomb of Cleopatra (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Martinez)

(Transcription of this video.)

Robot work at the Khufu Pyramid

Not really a lot of news here. Its already been reported that more robotic work will be done in these shafts at some point in the near-future.

The Pyramid of Khufu contains two shafts that used to be considered air shafts that played a role in pyramid ventilation. However investigations have shown that there are no openings on the exterior of the pyramid so that couldnt be what they are for. Robots have gone up previously only to find the shafts blockedby copper handled doors.

Dr. Zahi Hawass is as upbeat as ever that this work will lead to a major discovery. A chamber is still hidden inside the pyramid, he said.

Zahi Hawass and George W. Bush

Dr. Hawass and Laura Bush (the wife of former President George W. Bush) have a good relationship. He took her for a tour of the Great Pyramids once. We learned that the former president is a fan of Dr. Hawasss documentaries and apparently, in his post-presidential life, watches them on Texas television. So Dr. Hawass gave him one of his explorer hats. That hat does not fit Mr. Bush he was told.

But dont worry, Hawass gave him books and videos, rest assured Bush will be learning more about Ancient Egypt in his retirement. Personally I kind of wish he had taken to reading about the Middle East when he was in office.

By the way President Obama (visiting the pyramids in this video) got one of Dr. Hawasss hats as well. Hawass showed a picture of the president wearing it and yes it fits!

Digging for Cleopatra’s Tomb at Taposiris Magna

It’s the most exciting project in Egypt, and one that’s captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world: could Kathleen Martinez have discovered the tomb of Cleopatra? The Dominican expert certainly thinks so, and tells Heritage Key all about it in this special video.

A Long Route to Egypt

It has taken Dr Martinez ten years to convince herself Taposiris Magna, just outside Alexandria, is the famous queen’s final resting place. And she knew from the off she had to get out in the field herself to have any chance of finding the tomb. “I needed to come to Egypt…to see the remains of this temple, to be sure that it has the possibility of being the lost tomb of Cleopatra.”

“This is the perfect place for the tomb of Cleopatra.”

Yet Martinez thought she had no chance of securing a spot in the field until she got a letter from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, headed by Dr Zahi Hawass (watch the fascinating video about the project with Dr Hawass here) “They would give me two months only to prove my theory,” says Martinez. “In archaeology, two months is nothing.” The race was on: could Martinez capture her holy grail, and find the tomb of Egypt’s last queen?

Time Running Out

Coins Found in the Temple of Taposiris Magna. Image Credit - Supreme Council of Antiquities. Almost two months in the project seemed doomed to failure. But just as things were coming to a close, Martinez’ team hit gold. Tunnels were found, which would eventually reach a depth of 35m. They’re still being cleaned today, after Dr Hawass granted Martinez another season to prove her claim. To date the team’s biggest find has been a cemetery outside the temple, “which is the proof that in this area there is a royal tomb,” Martinez says excitedly.

Martinez feels a sense of responsibility for finding Cleopatra, an ancient character long draped in romance and legend. “If there’s a one per cent chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her.” So far the team has unearthed a huge number of Greco-Roman artefacts, including coins with Cleopatra‘s head on them. Dr Hawass has already hailed the dig as a success, whatever its outcome: “If we discover the tomb…it will be the most important discovery of the 21st century. If we do not discover the tomb…we made major discoveries here, inside the temple and outside the temple.”

A World-changing Discovery?

Martinez is captivating, and her passion for the discovery is clear to see. She knows this could be one of the world’s greatest discoveries, and a smile beams across her face. “We have changed forever what they know about funerary temples. This is the perfect place for the tomb of Cleopatra.”

HDVideo: Search for the Tomb of Cleopatra (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Martinez)

What do you think will happen at Taposiris Magna? Is it the perfect place to find Cleopatra? And what about Mark Antony – was he buried with his great love? Have your say, either via the , our contact page or by emailing me direct. You can watch a whole host of great videos here at Heritage Key – from the perils of Venice to the lost tombs of Thebes. Catch us here or on YouTube.