Cleopatra and Julius Caesar: Assessment Follow-Up
Strategic approach to analyzing Cleopatra and Julius Caesar's involvement in securing her throne, assessing different arguments, sources, and reasoning levels. Includes an example answer and discussion on the extent of Caesar's influence on Cleopatra's success.
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Cleopatra and Julius Caesar; assessment follow up
Strategic approach to the essay question for Cleopatra/ Alexander Level 5 17 20 Four points of discussion, at least one of which considers the other side of the argument. Points consistently and strongly link back to the question. Clear conclusion, that summarises points made and comes down firmly on one side of the argument THREE (FOUR for top of level) sources have been included and analysed (reliability or accuracy) There is a well-developed and sustained line of reasoning which is coherent, relevant and logically structured. Three points of discussion, at least one of which considers the other side of the argument. Points consistently link back to the question. Clear conclusion, that summarises points made and comes down firmly on one side of the argument At least TWO (THREE for top of level) sources have been included and analysed (reliability or accuracy) There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear, relevant and logically structured. Two-three points of discussion (one of which considers the other side of the argument for top of level). Points made are implicitly linked back to the question Judgement/ conclusion on the question not always made clear. At least ONE ancient source has been included AND analysed (reliability or accuracy) There is a line of reasoning presented which is mostly relevant and which has some structure. Level 4 13 16 Level 3 9 12
To what extent do you agree that Cleopatras success, in securing the throne for herself, was a direct result of the involvement of Julius Caesar? (20) Reasons Caesar was responsible responsible Cultivated and created the image of herself as the goddess Isis, which justified her life choices/ events and made her more popular/ accepted with the Egyptian people. Legitimised Caesarion. Reasons Cleopatra was Points for source analysis Re-establishes Cleopatra as co-ruler with Ptolemy XIII, after being approached by Cleopatra in secret, and Ptolemy XIII offending him with Pompey s murder. Suetonius = tells us that Caesar was pivotal in establishing Cleopatra and brining her to Rome. Discusses the gifts she as given. BUT he wanted to present the glory of Rome and Caesar, so would want to make him look pivotal! Support Cleopatra during Ptolemy XIII s fight back and civil war following her re-establishment. Recognises her as ruler once Ptolemy XIII is dead. Took herself on a grand tour of the Nile after the civil war against Ptolemy, with Caesar. Promoting herself has Queen throughout Egypt. Plutarch = tells us that Caesar put Cleopatra on the throne and had a love affair with her. BUT, wrote moralising histories were he compared figures, so again, would want to present a powerful, influential Caesar and a seductive Cleopatra. Not positive on foreign women. Romantic relationship meant that he brought her to Rome and had her recognised as ruler by the Senate. Managed to raise her own army from Ascalon, which is reported to be as big as Ptolemy s. Coins and reliefs of Cleopatra as Isis = shows us that Cleopatra DID
Example answer Cleopatra essay TASK: read the sections of the example answer, highlight/underline and then annotate, where you find each of the following; Arguably, Caesar's involvement did cause Cleopatra's success, as Cassius Dio tells us he chose to secure her position in power Where the point of the paragraph is because 'he had fought the war for her'. This made clear proves that Caesar's decision to reinstall Good historical detail Cleopatra, make peace between her and Ptolemy XIII, and support her in the civil war Reference to an ancient source was directly related to her success. I would Analysis of the ancient source argue that we should trust Dio on this subject (reliability or accuracy) because he did like to emphasise the great Link back to the point of the essay CHALLENGE: given the strategy mark scheme we have discussed, what mark out of 20 would you give this essay, and why? power of Rome and make it seem almighty so him admitting that Caesar did this through kindness and emotional attachment to Cleopatra is a contrast to his usual writing.
I agree to an extent that securing the throne was directly related to Caesar's involvement, however there are actions Cleopatra took that relate to her securing the throne. Arguably, Caesar's involvement did cause Cleopatra's success, as Cassius Dio tells us he chose to secure her position in power because 'he had fought the war for her'. This proves that Caesar's decision to reinstall Cleopatra, make peace between her and Ptolemy XIII, and support her in the civil war was directly related to her success. I would argue that we should trust Dio on this subject because he did like to emphasise the great power of Rome and make it seem almighty so him admitting that Caesar did this through kindness and emotional attachment to Cleopatra is a contrast to his usual writing. This shows that this could be considered true, therefore proving that Cleopatra's success is directly related to Caesar's involvement. To a certain extent it is Cleopatra's own actions that caused her success in securing the throne. We are told by Plutarch that she made her way from Pelusium to Alexandria, were Caesar was staying in the royal palace, in a fishing boat, then wrapped up in a carpet and revealed to him. This shows she went to immense lengths to gain his support which would not have happened if she did not go to Caesar in the first place. Only Plutarch reports this event, so we can infer that he may have made the story up for added interest in his biography. However, Plutarch's account of this could be seen as accurate since he admits she was brave, through Octavian saying she did not tremble as she approached death therefore we could believe that she did take action, which lead to her success in securing the throne. Therefore I would argue that it was not Caesar's involvement that directly lead to her success. Another way that Caesar's involvement lead to Cleopatra's success was his decision to support her in the first place, which was perhaps triggered by Pompey's murder and his hatred for Ptolemy XIII and his advisors. Plutarch tells us that when Pompey's head was revealed to Caesar by Theodotus, he 'turned away in horror'. This links to Cleopatra's success because it would have caused Caesar to decide to take revenge on Ptolemy XIII, which would mean he would have to support Cleopatra in her regaining of her position. However, it could be argued that Plutarch is unreliable in his account because he was a writer who focussed on morality, presenting Caesar as virtue and Ptolemy as vice may be a way of teaching his readers a lesson, so the fact that Caesar would want to take vengeance on Ptolemy XIII, therefore support Cleopatra may be inaccurate. This still directly links Caesar to Cleopatra's success. It could be argued that Cleopatra caused her own success because of her promotion of her patron Goddess Isis. On the coin of Cleopatra and Caesarion she is represented as a mother and ruler, like Isis was, as a propagandist move to gain support from the Egyptians. This relationship she had with an Egyptian goddess would have given her the upper hand against her siblings, as most people, especially Egyptians at the time
Green Pen rewrite of your essay Using what we have learned from the example essay, rewrite your answer to the essay question, focusing on making the improvements highlighted by your targets. get that source analysis right! If you did not include a point/ paragraph on Cleopatra using Isis to secure the throne, make sure to include that point in your rewrite! CHALLENGE: Rewrite a version of your essay that CAN T use Plutarch as a source of information!
