History vs. Cleopatra - Alex Gendler

She was the most notorious woman in ancient history, a queen who enraptured not one but two of Rome’s greatest generals. But was she just a skilled seductress – or a great ruler in her own right? Alex Gendler puts this controversial figure on trial in History vs. Cleopatra.

Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Brett Underhill.

[ArowStone]

"we may never known the full truth but we can separate fact from rumor by putting history on trial"
well said sir well said.

[NightmareSounds]

I've watched a documentary that explained that she wasn't physically beautiful but highly intelligent and that's what made so many attracted to her.

[birdthebird]

It really sucks that people define her by her beauty alone, because she was easily one of history’s most interesting figures.

[ginkiba]

Cleopatra wasn't an idiot; Rome did the same exact thing with the Greek city states and Spain before by slowly incorporating them into their empire through diplomacy and war. She did whatever she could to keep Egypt autonomous and safe.

[sage]

Only thing we truly know






Her Eyeshadow and eyeliner were






*Flawless*

[lth]

"She ruled jointly in Alexandria with her brother, to whom she was also married."
*ＳＷＥＥＴ ＨＯＭＥ ＡＬＡＢＡＭＡ*

[Steph-vcks]

"why does that matter? why do people never talk about Caesar or Mark Anthony other affairs? And why do we assume she instigated the affairs? why is it everytime, powerful women always defined by their sexuality?"

This man deserves a fucking medal

[littletravelblog]

Cleopatra ruled Egypt well, that's the most important thing in my opinion.

[jamesrocket]

My grandma said "I don’t care what they tell you in school. Cleopatra was Goku"

[binifarmer]

They forgot to mention that the reason the Octavian declared war on Egypt was because Anthony was originally married to Octavian's sister. With Anthony's affair with Cleopatra, he was basically commiting adultery and thus insulting the honor of Octavian's family.

[thyanhnguyen]

Uh uh, Cleopatra didn't destroy two of Rome's finest generals. They destroyed themselves.

[yuriynavorynskyi]

Greek and Egyptian mythology is fun to learn about.

[ThachNguyen-xnzr]

Fun Fact: Cleopatra was a pharaoh when she was only 18, the brother was 10.

[muskanmodi]

This one was awesome. Did a perfect job of narrating Cleopatra's achievements without overly sexualizing her or focussing on her affairs or seduction. I love narration like this

[nkc]

*Caution:* You may or may not have entered into a minefield of a comment section. Proceed carefully.

[rupakaryal]

"Everybody knows nothing"
My conclusion after reading 50 comments

[takispapas]

Cleopatra did not dress like a Pharaoh, but as a Greek queen. Look at the Egyptian coins of the period that depict her. Greek hairdo, tiara etc...

[JaguarBST]

WTF happened to Egypt? was such an advanced civilization in ancient times.

[DevMoSofi]

Actually this Egyptian queen wasn't an Egyptian at all.

[dextermorgan]

my grandma said "I don’t care what they tell you in school. Cleopatra was a tank."