I received a copy of Cleopatra:A Life by Stacy Shiff by virtue of my membership in the book club, From Left to Write. This is not a review. This post was inspired by the book.
Cleopatra---consummate politician, sex goddess, mother, sister, ruler, daughter, heroine. What can we learn from her?
Learn the language and culture of the people you wish to influence—in her case she wished to rule them. Cleopatra was Greek by birth but learned the language of the Egyptians when other Ptolemies refuse to do so.
Visit with the people. If we are to influence others they must know we care. Walk among those you wish to persuade.
Understand the macro and the micro political lay of the land. Cleo not only walked about the villages and knew her people, she visited Cesar and knew the larger context of the nation she was trying to rule. This is an excellent model for all of us. Whether you’re trying to influence a family, a corporation, a church or a nation, know the greater context of what informs and demands the attention of your people.
And it doesn’t hurt to look good and know the power of your own sexuality as Cleo did!
She definitely was an admirable woman, even by today's standards.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kim. And thanks for the great job you do on www.fromlefttowrite.com
ReplyDeleteGood lessons to learn. I wish everyone could read this book, to better know who the real Cleopatra was.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Emily. Cleo is so sexualized in our memories and there's so much more to her.
ReplyDeleteShe was smart, but more than that, she was clever. I am bummed I haven't had a chance to start the book, but so looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteGood distinction---smart and clever are two different qualities!
ReplyDeleteYou pulled some good lessons out of the book. That's what I like most about this book club From Left to Write that we get to benefit from the inspirations others received from the book. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting how some lessons not only withstand the test of time but they also cross so many cultural boundaries. The Taliban could stand to learn a thing or two from Cleo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Alicia and P. It is astounding really how lessons can cross centuries and cultures! And I love your comment that the Taliban could learn from Cleo!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty surprised that Cleopatra wasn't Egyptian and even more surprised that the Egyptians put up with a foreign ruler for all those decades, especially since it sounds like the ones before Cleopatra didn't do any of the things you point out.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is surprising that history has seen all there is to see and we just keep repeating it! Amazing!
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