Well-behaved women rarely make history

[scarlettina]

Who’s Buried in Cleopatra’s Tomb?

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's director of antiquities and the country's archeological answer to Carl Sagan (you can't turn on the History Channel without catching him, speaking in his clipped, precise, Egyptian-accented English, his voice filled with obvious enthusiasm), thinks he may have the answer at a dig going on under the ruins of the temple of Taposiris Magna in Egypt. This op-ed is very good, an interesting analysis of Cleopatra VII's place in history as the original politician-temptress.

Based on portraits on coinage of the time, I have to believe that her charm was more about intellect, education, and socialization than it was about beauty. I need to read more about her. I'm looking forward to reading this Times contributor's upcoming book.

Comments

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Hawass is an interesting character. At once genuine scholar, treasure-seeker, and almost Barnum-like self-promoter, I find he has a habit of making sweeping pronouncements that have a 50/50 chance of being correct...until he narrows them down based on evidence. He's entertaining, though, and clearly interested in educating people about Egypt's history and archeology.