Some historians have made the case that Kleopatra was the true successor and heir to both Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar; that she and Antony had a more humane and intelligent policy than Octavian and his imperial successors. Her vision of a Graeco-Roman empire was eventually achieved in the Byzantine empire three hundred years after her death. In any case, Octavian must have seen the wisdom of their vision, because he kept all of Antony’s policies and appointments in place after Antony’s death, even while disgracing his memory in Rome. Kleopatra, a great ruler and politician, may have come down to us in history and myth as a seducer and the downfall of two great Romans, but she was beloved by her own people, and for many hundreds of years, her reign was considered great. As a famous historian once said, in all its history, Rome deigned to fear two people; one was Hannibal, the other was a woman.
Acknowledgments
The knowledge, experience, and intelligence of many people are on the pages of Kleopatra and Pharaoh. The books arose out of an ongoing conversation with Mikal Gilmore about the ways in which history has portrayed women. He was there when the idea struck, and his encouragement and support lo these many years have been invaluable. Bruce Feiler took up the dialogue in Nashville and spent more time talking about Kleopatra, form, structure, and ideas than any man ought to have been made to do. I am blessed to have his friendship and intellectual camaraderie.
The late Nancy A. Walker of Vanderbilt University guided my research and daily kept me from feeling overwhelmed by its enormity. She was a prolific scholar, a generous mentor, and a dear friend. Marina Budhos taught me more about the art and the craft of writing fiction than I knew I had to learn, and in the process, raised the standard and caliber of my writing to a new level. My daughter, Olivia Fox, provided a perfect role model for an adolescent princess and helped me breathe authenticity into the young Kleopatra. Professor Susan Ford Wiltshire inspires me always, and she and Dr. Kaye Warren made sure the books passed historical muster. And I have said before, but herewith reiterate, without my mother’s generosity, Kleopatra might never have been completed.
Friends patiently read drafts and gave crucial feedback and other needed encouragement: Will Akers, Patsy Bruce, Gilbert Buras, Cynn Chadwick, Gian DiDonna, Mary Bess Dunn, Keith Fox, Michael Katz, Beverly Keel, Lee Lowrimore, Clarence Machado, Allison Parker, Cathie Pelletier, Camille Renshaw and Pifmagazine.com, Dorothy Rankin, Richard Schexnayder, Molly Secours, Tom Viorikic, Jane Wohl, and Andrea Woods. I would also like to thank the faculty and students of the Goddard College M.F.A. in Writing program.
Ben Sherwood made the impossible possible. Warren Zide and Jennie Frankel saw the cinematic potential of the books and acted accordingly. Harley J. Williams, Dawn Weekes Glenn, and Zeke Lopez bring grace and class to entertainment law. Jonathan Hahn is a publicist who works with heart and soul. I also wish to thank Miriam Parker, Ana Crespo, and Chris Dao at Warner Books, and especially Jackie Meyers for two gorgeous covers. And, I am very grateful to have Bryan Hickel and Adam Schroeder in my corner.
These books are in print because of the intelligence and energy of three women. Susanna Einstein acquired the book with great enthusiasm, and Jackie Joiner has since been its loyal and ebullient supporter. Amy Williams-agent, travel companion, pal-has the energy of a hurricane, the heart of a lion, and a soul that is dead center in Apollo’s triangle.
Karen Essex, Pharaoh
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