Throne of Isis (1994)

CLEOPATRA, QUEEN OF EGYPT

     She was the most powerful woman of the ancient Mediterranean, and the only person standing between Rome and its dominion over the world. she was wife to Julius Caesar, and bore his only son. After his death she took Marc Antony, Caesar's great general, as lover and consort - and as her partner in a vast political enterprise.

     History tells of Cleopatra's devotion to Egypt and her war with Rome. Shakespeare tells of the tragic love affair. But here is the Cleopatra who took the throw of Egypt and held it for decades despite Rome's efforts. This is the woman who spoke twelve languages, studied philosophy and the arts, and could debate with the greatest scholars and orators of the age. And here is the woman who fell in love with a man she meant to use, and who, in the last splendid moments of her life, became immortal.
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IN THE SACRED SHRINE OF EGYPT

The queen lit the incense in its golden censer, sent the sweet smoke on its course toward heaven. She poured the libation from golden cup into golden bowl. She spoke names of Gods and powers, one by one and in order as reverence decreed. Dione murmured the words with her, but otherwise did nothing, said nothing. this was not her rite or her invocation; it was not for her to step forward in it, except as friend and fellow priestess.
     Cleopatra bowed to the power of the Gods that was in this place, and returned to the sarcophagus. Again she laid her hands on it. "Give me a sign," she said. Her voice was much as it always was, low and sweet, like silk over the steel of her will. "Show me what I am to do. My Osiris is dead. My Horus, My Caesarion, is a child still, and has no father. My kingdom, my Two Lands, will be devoured by Roman vultures, unless there is more strength in alll of us than we have needed before."