Although there are many books written about the most famous Cleopatra, this is the only study in English devoted to her less well-known but equally illustrious namesakes.
Cleopatras traces the turbulent lives and careers of these historically important women, examining in particular the earlier Macedonian and Ptolemaic Cleopatras, and the impact of their dynastic marriages on the history of the Hellenistic world. John Whitehorne also evaluates current views of Cleopatra VII's dramatic suicide, and considers the evolving political significance of royal women in the last three centuries BC.
Clearly and engagingly written, Cleopatras reveals the true significance to the ruling dynasties of the 34 known Cleopatras who were not Cleopatra the Great, and illuminates some fascinating but little-known aspects of ancient Greek and Egyptian history along the way.

The first study of its kind in English, "Cleopatras" examines the lives and careers of Cleopatra's illustrious namesakes. Beginning with the Cleopatras of early Greek mythology, John Whitehorne next considers Macedonian queens and princesses of the same name including the last wife of Philip II of Macedon and the sister of Alexander the Great. He traces the careers of Cleopatras from the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and explores the political importance of their marriages to the Seleucid kings of Syria. After a reappraisal of current views about Cleopatra VII's suicide, the author concludes with accounts of such fascinating and important historical figures as Cleopatra Selene of Mauretania and Cleopatra's daughter by Mark Antony, who was the last in the Ptolemaic line.
Through these numerous biographical studies, Whitehorne is able to shed light on the nature of royal power in this period, the place of dynastic marriage in the Macedonian and Hellenistic monarchies, and the growing political importance of royal women in the Hellenistic age. Trained as a papyrologist, Whitehorne brings years of experience in editing and interpreting texts from this period and has published widely on the history and society of Greco-Roman Egypt.