Ep 8. Cleopatra

Ancients Behaving Badly is a historical docudrama television series that explores the lives of famous figures from ancient times, focusing on their personality quirks, eccentricities, and bad behaviors. Season 1, episode 8 is titled "Cleopatra" and focuses on one of the most iconic women in history: the last pharaoh of Egypt.

The episode begins by painting a vivid picture of Cleopatra's world, a world of extreme wealth, power, and luxury. Cleopatra was born into a royal family, and as such, she grew up surrounded by every imaginable extravagance. The show goes into detail about the Egyptian society of the time, focusing on the opulence and grandeur that were common among the ruling classes. We see Cleopatra enjoying her luxurious lifestyle, surrounded by jewels, perfumes, and fine textiles.

However, the episode quickly turns to the darker side of Cleopatra's personality. Although she was undoubtedly intelligent, ambitious, and charismatic, she was also known for her vindictive streak and her willingness to do almost anything to get what she wanted. The show highlights several examples of this, including an incident where Cleopatra ordered the murder of her own brother in order to secure her position as ruler of Egypt.

From there, the episode delves deeper into Cleopatra's love life, which was famously tumultuous. Her most famous love affair was with the Roman general Mark Antony, but despite their passionate relationship, it was not without its problems. The show describes Antony as a man who was infatuated with Cleopatra and who was virtually powerless to resist her charms. However, their relationship also had its dark side, with Antony becoming more and more erratic as time went on.

The episode explores the political ramifications of Cleopatra's relationship with Antony, detailing the ways in which her closeness to the Romans made her a target for her enemies. The show also touches on the sheer scale of the wealth that Cleopatra possessed, including her famous pearl earrings, which were said to be worth millions in today's money.

Throughout the episode, there are plenty of dramatic reenactments, with actors playing the parts of Cleopatra, Antony, and other historical figures. The show utilizes a mix of live-action and animation to illustrate the world of ancient Egypt and to highlight the personalities of its main characters. The narration is engaging and informative, with plenty of insightful commentary on Cleopatra's life and legacy.

In the end, "Cleopatra" is a fascinating look at one of history's most enigmatic figures. The show does an excellent job of balancing Cleopatra's larger-than-life personality with her more flawed aspects, showing her both as a powerful and influential ruler and as a woman whose desires and passions sometimes got the better of her. Overall, this is a compelling and entertaining episode that sheds plenty of light on the life of one of the ancient world's most iconic women.