Cleopatra and the Decurion
Cleopatra and the Decurion is a historical vignette written by Jorge Alvidrez. The story takes place in ancient Egypt during the reign of Cleopatra VII, who is struggling to maintain her power and influence against the Roman Empire. In this vignette, Cleopatra meets with a decurion, a Roman soldier who has been sent to deliver a message from Julius Caesar. Despite their differences, Cleopatra and the decurion form an unlikely bond as they discuss the complexities of their respective worlds and the challenges they face. Through their conversation, Alvidrez explores themes of power, identity, and the complexities of cultural exchange in ancient times.
By Bernard Capes · First published 1923 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance · 2,061 words
First lines
On the headland of Lochias, where it pushed towards the overlapping promontory of Pharos, stood the palace and gardens of the Ptolemies. The great lighthouse on the opposite shore glowed across the strait, and in the deep waters between were planted a number of islets, like gigantic stepping-stones, their intervals closed with booms and chains. These, and the arms of land, enlocked the harbour of Alexandria, all round whose mighty circumference the city flamed like a belt of fire, impassable, magnificent. It was thirty years before the birth of Christ, and the battle of Actium had been fought and, for all that it meant to Egypt and the world, lost. Cleopatra was doomed, and Magdalen, perhaps, conceived.
What this Textopian page supports
Cleopatra and the Decurion is listed on Textopian as a short story by Bernard Capes, dated 1923 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Bernard Capes
- Date: 1923 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance, Adventure, Action
- Length: 2,061 words
- Structure: 1 section, 49 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cleopatra and the Decurion by Bernard Capes
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cleopatra and the Decurion?
- How does this short story by Bernard Capes fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The title suggests a storyline based on historical characters and events, specifically involving Cleopatra.
- Drama — Cleopatra's life and the era she lived in were full of dramatic events and conflicts, which is a common theme for this genre.
- Romance — The relationship between Cleopatra and various significant figures of her time, such as the Decurion, might suggest elements of romantic fiction.
- Adventure — Historical scenarios involving key figures like Cleopatra often involve adventure, given the political and social turmoil of the time.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Ancient Egypt · Roman Empire · Cleopatra VII · Mark Antony · Decurion · Roman Army · Battle of Actium · Power Struggle · Political Intrigue · Romance · Tragedy