Cleopatra (Haggard novel)
Historical fantasy novel set in Ptolemaic Egypt.
Cleopatra: Being an Account of the Fall and Vengeance of Harmachis is a historical fantasy adventure by English writer H. Rider Haggard, published in 1889 by Longmans. The story blends real historical events with supernatural elements.
Set in Ptolemaic Egypt, the plot follows Harmachis, the living heir of the pharaohs, who is tasked by the Priesthood of Isis to overthrow Cleopatra, expel the Greeks and Romans, and restore Egypt’s former glory. Harmachis uses priestly magic to undermine her rule. The narrative is told from his perspective in biblical-style language, presented as papyrus scrolls discovered in a tomb.
Critics Boucher and McComas gave the novel a mixed review, noting that its portrait of Cleopatra was “not always believable” but the storyline was “fascinating, wholly convincing.” Curtis C. Smith called it “one of Haggard’s best works,” especially for readers uncomfortable with colonialist themes in his other series, and praised Haggard for siding with indigenous Egyptian culture against the Ptolemies and Roman imperialists. John Scarborough included it on his list of Haggard’s finest novels, alongside *King Solomon’s Mines*, *She*, *Nada the Lily*, *Red Eve*, and *Eric Brighteyes*.
Quick Facts
- Author
- H. Rider Haggard
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Adventure novel
- Publisher
- Longmans
- Release Date
- 1889
- Media Type
- Print (Hardback)
- Pages
- 316 pp
- Isbn
- 1-55521-122-4
- Oclc
- 16862670
- Wikisource
- Cleopatra (Haggard)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story revolves around the survival of a dynasty bloodline protected by the Priesthood of Isis. The main character Harmachis, the living descendant of the pharaoh's bloodline, is charged by the Priesthood to overthrow the supposed impostor Cleopatra, drive out the Greeks and Romans, and restore Egypt to its golden era. Harmachis attempts to use his priestly magic to undermine Cleopatra's rule.
Reader's Guide
Cleopatra is one of Haggard's best works, according to Curtis C. Smith, particularly for modern readers who may find the implied defenses of colonialism in the Allan Quatermain and She series difficult to take. Smith noted that Haggard's originality is to side with the indigenous culture against the Ptolemies and the Roman imperialists who threaten Egypt. John Scarborough included Cleopatra on a list of what he regarded as Haggard's best novels, along with King Solomon's Mines, She: A History of Adventure, Nada the Lily, Red Eve, and Eric Brighteyes. Boucher and McComas gave the novel a mixed review, saying that it combined 'a not always believable portrait' of its title heroine with a 'fascinating, wholly convincing' story line.
Did You Know?
- The story is told from the point of view of the Egyptian priest Harmachis.
- The narrative is recounted in biblical language, being in the form of papyrus scrolls found in a tomb.
- A 1917 film titled 'Cleopatra' starring Theda Bara was not an adaptation of Haggard's novel.
- No verifiable source confirms a review by Boucher and McComas of this novel.
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