An air of mystcry surrounds Cleopatra. A record of her reign as queen of Egypt simply doesn't exist and we must piece together her story from fragments, artifacts, and historical writings. Was she a selfish, extravagant, and overly ambitious tyrant? Or was she a patriotic advocate for her people with the courage to stand up to those who held power in Rome? Cleopatra spent her reign fighting for her right to rule and struggling to maintain Egypt's independence. Love, power, and political advantage became intertwined as Cleopatra aligned herself with the dominant political figures of her time. These partnerships both helped and hurt her beloved Egypt. So who was Cleopatra? Her motives may be open to debate, but it cannot be denied that she was a savvy political mastermind, a powerful queen, and a force to be reckoned with - in any age. Book jacket.