In The Discovery Channel's presentation, "As the Nile Turns: The Soap Opera That Was Cleopatra," Julius Caesar praises Cleopatra as his equal when he states that "You need my help to keep you on the throne, and I need the wealth of Egypt to continue my plans." She allied and companioned with Caesar in an attempt to strengthen her power. After Julius Caesar was assassinated, she became involved with Marc Antony who was a general in the Roman army. .
Analysis of the movie appears to have some inaccuracies or lack of certain events. The movie portrayed Cleopatra as a self indulgent, over the top theatrical individual. Cleopatra according to history was a very intelligent and intellectual person. I do not think the movie depicted that very well. The movie also spent a lot of time exhibiting the social life of Cleopatra rather than showing her ruling methodology. Cleopatra was able to get Caesar's attention by mentioning to him of Egypt's riches and connections to other rich nations such as India. Cleopatra did not seem intimidated by Caesar; instead she exhumed confidence and intelligence.
Egypt was a wealthy nation at the time of Cleopatra's reign, this is well depicted in the fortunes she had in the movie, which included gold, silver and precious gems. Her outfits, hairpieces and wigs and possessions in the movie are possibly consistent with her belongings.
In the battle of Actium, the movie depiction is that of a great war, between Octavian and Marc Antony. Researchers have revealed that it was more of a riot rather than a war. During that period, both Marc Antony and Cleopatra escaped and went back to Egypt. It was over a year before Octavian comes over to Egypt but that too is not shown in the film.
The facts around Cleopatra retrieved from multiple sources, include that the Romans were expanding their power to the Mediterranean, and that Egypt and Roman politics were closely intertwined.
