Cleopatra's Daughter

This month our reading group at the library will discuss “Cleopatra’s Daughter” by Michelle Moran. I hated this book.

Ms. Moran mixes historical persons (Octavian, who became Augustus Caesar, and his sister, Octavia) and entirely fictional characters (“Red Eagle” and a female slave, who play major roles in the story).

Around a few known facts Ms. Moran embroiders a fantastic tale which is basically a polemic against slavery. Slavery in the U.S. was abolished in 1865. We don’t need a novel about Rome to remind us of the evils of slavery. Besides, there is nothing in the historical record to indicate Cleopatra’s daughter granted freedom to even one slave. Her mother was attended by thousands.

Very little is known about the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Ms. Moran portrays her as so precocious and talented that I forgot she was a nine-year-old child.

In the novel the child and her brother are described as having one room in Octavia’s palace where they are served by a single slave. Really? I’ve stumbled through the ruins of huge palaces on that hill above Roman. Octavia probably owned hundreds of slaves.

It was only a story. Why do I feel so strongly about it?

Because it distorts the truth. We are bombarded with similar distortions in the news every day. Too many people believe lies as if they were fact.

Recently a friend forwarded an e.mail showing a picture of George W. Bush and Laura standing at the bedside of a wounded soldier. The accompanying story told how as soon as the former president heard of the massacre at Fort Hood, he and Laura jumped in the car and drove from Dallas to the hospital to comfort the wounded. Nice story. The former President is to be commended for his compassion.

But the story didn’t end there. The publisher of this e.mail turned it into an attack on President Obama for not flying in from Washington until three days later. The writer sneered that Obama didn’t care about the murders or the wounding of soldiers, that he only went for a brief photo op.

This was unfair to our President. First, it was nice of George W. to make that trip from Dallas. But it was a lot easier for a former President to get away. He does not have to deal with the multiple problems of a current President.

Also, George W. did not just drive up to the gate at Fort Hood unaccompanied. You can be sure he also drove down there with plenty of security. At home in Dallas his whole neighborhood is sealed in with a tall fence with guards at the gates. Only his rich neighbors can get in – and the guards know them all individually. .

Further, the implication that President Obama does not care about any of our troops is simply a lie. In Washington he visits hospitals as often as he can. He does have other things to keep him busy. Michelle goes every week, without fanfare.