# Cleopatra — Cleopatra character guide > Cleopatra in Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Queen Cleopatra, the Cleopatra **First appearance:** 0003-cleopatra ## Snapshot Egypt's Macedonian queen, brilliant and insatiable, who bends gods, Romans, and priests alike to her will with a glance and a promise. ## Who they are Cleopatra rules Alexandria with charm as much as with armies, keeping Antony bound to her while weighing every rival as a possible tool or lover. She swears oaths to Harmachis with truthful eyes and kisses his brow, yet her passion for power and her dependence on Rome make her promises as shifting as the Nile. Her seduction of the priest-king is the hinge on which Egypt's fate — and his soul — turn. ## Relationships ### [Antony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/antony) _romantic_ Passionate and tumultuous lovers, their relationship is marked by intense devotion and political alliance. ### [Charmion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/charmion) _friendship_ Charmion is Cleopatra's loyal handmaiden and confidante, sharing a deep bond of trust and companionship. ### [Atoua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/atoua) _professional_ Atoua serves as Cleopatra's attendant or servant, with a relationship based on duty and proximity. ### [Caesarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/caesarion) _family_ Caesarion is Cleopatra's son, and their bond is maternal, protective, and politically significant. ### [Nekt-nebf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/nekt_nebf) _professional_ Nekt-nebf is likely a priest or advisor to Cleopatra, serving in a ceremonial or advisory capacity. ### [Olympus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/olympus) _professional_ Olympus is Cleopatra's physician, providing medical care and counsel with professional loyalty. ### [Amenemhat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/amenemhat) _professional_ Amenemhat is a court official or advisor to Cleopatra, serving with deference and administrative duty. ### [Sepa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/sepa) _professional_ Sepa is likely a servant or minor courtier, interacting with Cleopatra in a service-oriented capacity. ### [Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/harmachis) _professional_ Harmachis is a priest or advisor, engaging with Cleopatra in religious or political matters. ### [Quintus Dellius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/quintus_dellius) _professional_ Quintus Dellius is a Roman diplomat or envoy, dealing with Cleopatra in political negotiations. ### [Khem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/khem) _professional_ Khem is likely a servant or guard, serving Cleopatra with loyalty and routine duty. ### [Charmion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/charmion) _friendship_ Charmion is Cleopatra's loyal handmaiden and confidante, sharing a deep bond of trust and companionship. ## In the story ### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/author-s-note) The Queen of Egypt, whose ruin is the subject of the historical mystery; her death by poison is discussed. ### [Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/cleopatra) Central figure in the account of fall and vengeance. ### [Book I: The Preparation of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/book-i-the-preparation-of-harmachis) Mentioned as the Greek queen whom Harmachis is destined to overthrow. ### [III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-rebuke-of-amenemhat-of-the-prayer-of-harmachis-and-of-the-sign-given-by-the-holy-gods) Mentioned as having fled to Syria to gather armies against her brother Ptolemy. ### [Of the Departure of Harmachis and of His Meeting with His Uncle Sepa, the High Priest of Annu El Ra; Of His Life at Annu, and of the Words of Sepa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-departure-of-harmachis-and-of-his-meeting-with-his-uncle-sepa-the-high-priest-of-annu-el-ra-of-his-life-at-annu-and-of-the-words-of-sepa) Mentioned by Sepa as the queen who has slain her brother Ptolemy and rules with Roman support. ### [VII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Ceremony of His Crowning as Pharaoh of the Upper and the Lower Land; and of the Offerings Made to Pharaoh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-awaking-of-harmachis-of-the-ceremony-of-his-crowning-as-pharaoh-of-the-upper-and-the-lower-land-and-of-the-offerings-made-to-pharaoh) Referenced as the target of the plot; her death is to be the signal for the rebellion. ### [Book II: The Fall of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/book-ii-the-fall-of-harmachis) The Queen of Egypt, whom Harmachis serves as astrologer and later counsels to her downfall. ### [I: Of the Farewell of Amenemhat to Harmachis; Of the Coming of Harmachis to Alexandria; Of the Exhortation of Sepa; Of the Passing of Cleopatra Robed as Isis; and of the Overthrow of the Gladiator by Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/i-of-the-farewell-of-amenemhat-to-harmachis-of-the-coming-of-harmachis-to-alexandria-of-the-exhortation-of-sepa-of-the-passing-of-cleopatra-robed-as-isis-and-of-the-overthrow-of-the-gladiator-by-harmachis) The Queen of Egypt, robed as Isis, passes through Alexandria in a golden chariot. She witnesses Harmachis's victory, orders the gladiator's hand cut off, and takes an interest in Harmachis. ### [Of the Coming of Charmion; and of the Wrath of Sepa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ii-of-the-coming-of-charmion-and-of-the-wrath-of-sepa) Referenced as the queen whom Charmion serves and whom Harmachis is to approach; her interest in astrology is noted. ### [Of the Coming of Harmachis to the Palace; Of How He Drew Paulus Through the Gates; Of Cleopatra Sleeping; and of the Magic of Harmachis Which He Showed Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-coming-of-harmachis-to-the-palace-of-how-he-drew-paulus-through-the-gates-of-cleopatra-sleeping-and-of-the-magic-of-harmachis-which-he-showed-her) Found asleep in her chamber; awakens terrified after Harmachis's magical vision. ### [Of the Ways of Charmion; and of the Crowning of Harmachis as the King of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-ways-of-charmion-and-of-the-crowning-of-harmachis-as-the-king-of-love) Queen of Egypt, troubled by political affairs with Antony; playfully crowns Harmachis 'King of Love'; her beauty and charm unsettle Harmachis. ### [Of the Coming of Cleopatra to the Chamber of Harmachis; Of the Throwing Forth of the Kerchief of Charmion; Of the Stars; and of the Gift by Cleopatra of Her Friendship to Her Servant Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/v-of-the-coming-of-cleopatra-to-the-chamber-of-harmachis-of-the-throwing-forth-of-the-kerchief-of-charmion-of-the-stars-and-of-the-gift-by-cleopatra-of-her-friendship-to-her-servant-harmachis) Visits Harmachis, confides her loneliness and distrust of her court, and offers him her friendship, unaware of the plot against her. ### [Of the Words and Jealousy of Charmion; Of the Laughter of Harmachis; Of the Making Ready for the Deed of Blood; and of the Message of the Old Wife, Atoua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vi-of-the-words-and-jealousy-of-charmion-of-the-laughter-of-harmachis-of-the-making-ready-for-the-deed-of-blood-and-of-the-message-of-the-old-wife-atoua) Mentioned as the target of the assassination plot; Harmachis reflects on his conflicted feelings toward her. ### [VII: Of the Veiled Words of Charmion; Of the Passing of Harmachis Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Overthrow of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-veiled-words-of-charmion-of-the-passing-of-harmachis-into-the-presence-of-cleopatra-and-of-the-overthrow-of-harmachis) Lies on a silken couch, seduces Harmachis with a kiss and drugged wine, then draws the dagger from his robe and spares him, laughing in triumph. ### [VIII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Sight of Death; Of the Coming of Cleopatra; and of Her Comfortable Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/viii-of-the-awaking-of-harmachis-of-the-sight-of-death-of-the-coming-of-cleopatra-and-of-her-comfortable-words) Visits Harmachis, offers mercy in exchange for his love, and reveals her political cunning and desire to bind him to her. ### [Of the Imprisonment of Harmachis; Of the Scorn of Charmion; Of the Setting Free of Harmachis; and of the Coming of Quintus Dellius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ix-of-the-imprisonment-of-harmachis-of-the-scorn-of-charmion-of-the-setting-free-of-harmachis-and-of-the-coming-of-quintus-dellius) Visits Harmachis in prison, uses love and flattery to bind him, later frees him and receives Dellius. ### [X: Of the Trouble of Cleopatra; Of Her Oath to Harmachis; and of the Telling by Harmachis to Cleopatra of the Secret of the Treasure That Lay Beneath the Mass of "Her"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/x-of-the-trouble-of-cleopatra-of-her-oath-to-harmachis-and-of-the-telling-by-harmachis-to-cleopatra-of-the-secret-of-the-treasure-that-lay-beneath-the-mass-of-her) Deeply troubled by Antony's threat; swears an oath to use the treasure for Egypt's defense; accompanies Harmachis to the pyramid. ### [XI: Of the Tomb of the Divine Menkau-Ra; Of the Writing on the Breast of Menkau-Ra; Of the Drawing Forth of the Treasure; Of the Dweller in the Tomb; and of the Flight of Cleopatra and Harmachis from the Holy Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xi-of-the-tomb-of-the-divine-menkau-ra-of-the-writing-on-the-breast-of-menkau-ra-of-the-drawing-forth-of-the-treasure-of-the-dweller-in-the-tomb-and-of-the-flight-of-cleopatra-and-harmachis-from-the-holy-place) Driven by greed and desperation, she insists on opening the tomb and unwrapping the mummy despite her fear, and ultimately faints from the ordeal. ### [XII: Of the Coming Back of Harmachis; Of the Greeting of Charmion; and of the Answer of Cleopatra to Quintus Dellius, the Ambassador of Antony the Triumvir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xii-of-the-coming-back-of-harmachis-of-the-greeting-of-charmion-and-of-the-answer-of-cleopatra-to-quintus-dellius-the-ambassador-of-antony-the-triumvir) Emerges from the tomb exhausted but regal; rebukes Harmachis in court, gives a non-committal answer to Dellius, and delays her promise of marriage. ### [XIII: Of the Reproach of Harmachis; Of the Struggle of Harmachis with the Guards; Of the Blow of Brennus; and of the Secret Speech of Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xiii-of-the-reproach-of-harmachis-of-the-struggle-of-harmachis-with-the-guards-of-the-blow-of-brennus-and-of-the-secret-speech-of-cleopatra) Mocks Harmachis, defends her refusal to marry, orders his arrest, and later visits his bedside to deliver a secret farewell speech. ### [XIV: Of the Tender Care of Charmion; Of the Healing of Harmachis; Of the Sailing of the Fleet of Cleopatra for Cilicia; and of the Speech of Brennus to Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xiv-of-the-tender-care-of-charmion-of-the-healing-of-harmachis-of-the-sailing-of-the-fleet-of-cleopatra-for-cilicia-and-of-the-speech-of-brennus-to-harmachis) Sails for Cilicia with a grand fleet, commanding Harmachis to accompany her; she is described as attired like Venus on her golden galley. ### [XV: Of the Feast of Cleopatra; Of the Melting of the Pearl; Of the Saying of Harmachis; and of Cleopatra’s Vow of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xv-of-the-feast-of-cleopatra-of-the-melting-of-the-pearl-of-the-saying-of-harmachis-and-of-cleopatra-s-vow-of-love) Hosts the feast, melts a pearl, plots Harmachis's death, and makes a passionate vow of love and fidelity to Antony. ### [XVI: Of the Plan of Charmion; Of the Confession of Charmion; and of the Answer of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/xvi-of-the-plan-of-charmion-of-the-confession-of-charmion-and-of-the-answer-of-harmachis) Referenced as the object of Harmachis's love and the cause of his ruin; she plans to hand him over to murderers and is now in love with Antony. ### [Book III: The Vengeance of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/book-iii-the-vengeance-of-harmachis) Queen of Egypt, manipulated by Harmachis into making fatal decisions. ### [I: Of the Escape of Harmachis from Tarsus; Of His Being Cast Forth as an Offering to the Gods of the Sea; Of His Sojourn in the Isle of Cyprus; Of His Return to Abouthis; and of the Death of Amenemhat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/i-of-the-escape-of-harmachis-from-tarsus-of-his-being-cast-forth-as-an-offering-to-the-gods-of-the-sea-of-his-sojourn-in-the-isle-of-cyprus-of-his-return-to-abouthis-and-of-the-death-of-amenemhat) Mentioned in the sailors' ribald songs and in the context of her return to Alexandria with Antony; she doubts the tale of Harmachis's flight and sends a search vessel. ### [III: Of the Life of Him Who Was Named the Learned Olympus, in the Tomb of the Harpers That Is by Tápé; Of His Counsel to Cleopatra; Of the Message of Charmion; and of the Passing of Olympus Down to Alexandria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-life-of-him-who-was-named-the-learned-olympus-in-the-tomb-of-the-harpers-that-is-by-t-p-of-his-counsel-to-cleopatra-of-the-message-of-charmion-and-of-the-passing-of-olympus-down-to-alexandria) Sends for Olympus's counsel, follows his advice to go to Syria, and later flees at Actium due to a vision instilled by Harmachis. ### [IV: Of the Meeting of Charmion with the Learned Olympus; Of Her Speech with Him; Of the Coming of Olympus Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Commands of Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iv-of-the-meeting-of-charmion-with-the-learned-olympus-of-her-speech-with-him-of-the-coming-of-olympus-into-the-presence-of-cleopatra-and-of-the-commands-of-cleopatra) Summons Olympus to cure Antony; she senses a strange familiarity with the hermit but does not recognize Harmachis, and commands him to attend to Antony. ### [Of the Drawing Forth of Antony from the Timonium Back to Cleopatra; Of the Feast Made by Cleopatra; and of the Manner of the Death of Eudosius the Steward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/v-of-the-drawing-forth-of-antony-from-the-timonium-back-to-cleopatra-of-the-feast-made-by-cleopatra-and-of-the-manner-of-the-death-of-eudosius-the-steward) Devises a plan to test Antony's trust by poisoning the steward Eudosius, revealing her cunning and ruthless nature. ### [VI: Of the Workings of the Learned Olympus at Memphis; Of the Poisonings of Cleopatra; Of the Speech of Antony to His Captains; and of the Passing of Isis from the Land of Khem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vi-of-the-workings-of-the-learned-olympus-at-memphis-of-the-poisonings-of-cleopatra-of-the-speech-of-antony-to-his-captains-and-of-the-passing-of-isis-from-the-land-of-khem) Tests poisons on slaves, stores treasure in her mausoleum, and leans on Olympus for prophecies and counsel as Caesar approaches. ### [Of the Surrender of the Troops and Fleet of Antony Before the Canopic Gate; Of the End of Antony, and of the Brewing of the Draught of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/vii-of-the-surrender-of-the-troops-and-fleet-of-antony-before-the-canopic-gate-of-the-end-of-antony-and-of-the-brewing-of-the-draught-of-death) Resolves to die rather than be led in triumph; mourns Antony and pulls him up into the tomb. ### [VIII: Of the Last Supper of Cleopatra; Of the Song of Charmion; Of the Drinking of the Draught of Death; Of the Revealing of Harmachis; Of the Summoning of the Spirits by Harmachis; and of the Death of Cleopatra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/viii-of-the-last-supper-of-cleopatra-of-the-song-of-charmion-of-the-drinking-of-the-draught-of-death-of-the-revealing-of-harmachis-of-the-summoning-of-the-spirits-by-harmachis-and-of-the-death-of-cleopatra) Hosts her last supper, recounts the story of Harmachis, dictates a farewell letter, and dies by poison after seeing spirits. ### [IX: Of the Farewell of Charmion; Of the Death of Charmion; Of the Death of the Old Wife, Atoua; Of the Coming of Harmachis to Abouthis; Of His Confession in the Hall of Six-and-Thirty Pillars; and of the Declaring of the Doom of Harmachis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/ix-of-the-farewell-of-charmion-of-the-death-of-charmion-of-the-death-of-the-old-wife-atoua-of-the-coming-of-harmachis-to-abouthis-of-his-confession-in-the-hall-of-six-and-thirty-pillars-and-of-the-declaring-of-the-doom-of-harmachis) Cleopatra lies dead on the golden bed, having been poisoned; Harmachis briefly mourns her. ### [X: Of the Last Writing of Harmachis, the Royal Egyptian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/x-of-the-last-writing-of-harmachis-the-royal-egyptian) Referred to as 'thou Destroyer'; Harmachis laments his enduring love for her despite her role in his ruin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters/cleopatra - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cleopatra_se/characters