Cleópatra em sala de aula: proposta pedagógica a partir da Ode 1.37 de Horácio

Abstract

One of the most remembered personalities of Ancient History is undoubtedly Cleopatra VII Philopator, the last queen of Egypt and a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty. There are numerous narratives, both historiographical and non-historiographical, that address various aspects of Cleopatra’s life, ranging from her appearance to her rule. She is frequently described and characterized as a manipulative, beautiful, cunning, and sexualized figure, the perfect example of a femme fatale, and is mainly known for her controversial relationships with the Romans Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. These relationships are often portrayed in the media in ways that reinforce stereotypes about her life. In fact, Cleopatra’s image has continually been reinterpreted and shaped according to the interests and contexts of different representations over time. With this in mind, the present study aims to explore the representations of Cleopatra VII constructed by the Roman poet Horace (65-8 BCE), particularly his interpretations of the queen during the context of the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, when the forces of Cleopatra and Mark Antony were defeated by Octavian, who would later become the first Roman emperor, known as Augustus. To this end, an analysis will be conducted mainly of Ode 1.37, written shortly after the Battle of Actium. From this source, the study will explore interpretative perspectives on Cleopatra’s life from Horace’s viewpoint, as well as present elements that demonstrate how this perspective persisted for a long time within historiographical productions. As a result, such representations are still disseminated today in popular culture, including classic films, animated productions, music videos, and social media. Finally, a pedagogical proposal for History classes will be presented based on Horace’s Ode 1.37, aimed at the analysis and interpretation of the poet’s work as both a literary text and a historical source.