New-York tribune., 1908-12-15
A SHATTERED ROM ANCE
CIeopatrd's Love Story Reduced to
Politics by Professor Ferrero.

The love story of Antony and Cleopatra, which
has fascinated the imagination OF so many cen
turies and inspired many poets and artists, was
rudely shattered at Columbia University yesterday
by SiEnor GuglielIno Ferrero, the italian historian
In his hands the romance Of the Roman general
and the Egyptian queen became merely an anti
feminist legend, illustrating how dangerous it is
to leave to women the government of public af-
fairs
In the relations Of these famous people he has
discovered small place, and that only in the latter
part for the passion Of love" while for the tabled
beauty of the woman he finds little foundation in
fact. Archeoogists have unfortunately discovered
portraits of Cleopatra, and they do not correspond
with the poetic descriptions They do not show
the countenance of Venus delicate, gracious.
smiling. but face heshy, the French would
say. boufie with powerful aquiline nose, the face
Of IN years. ambitious. imperous"
Antony first met Cleopatra at Tarsus at the end
Of the year Il B e. He passed the winter with
her. and. leaving in the spring Of 90 stayed away
for three long years.
There is no proof" said signor Ferrero. that
he was signing during this time for the Egyptian
queen Instead, he attending with alacrity
TO preparations for the conquest of Persia great
design. which had been conceived by Caesar, who
saw that only a great success would give him and
his party the authority and money necessary 10 es
tabsh q solid government Antony exceed
ingly busy IN these three years extracting from
all parts any money that might be in circulation
In the midst Of this work. without any explana-
ton. he departs for Antioch to meet Cleopatra
Plutarch concluded that he had been 'bourn by the
fiery, untamed course of his passion and.
finding any other explanation, historians,
cient and modern, have accepted this one But
century ago a Frenchnan named Letronne. COM
pairing ancient coins with passages from the his
torians hitherto obscure. able TO demonstrate
that in 36 B. c. at Antioch Antony married Cleo
patra with all the dynastic ceremonies of Egypt,
and thereupon became King of Egypt. bat without
daring assume the title
This marriage was political one, and there is
no doubt that in contracting it Antony put
ting into execution the ideas of Caesar The OBJ
ject was to gain possession Of the treasures of
Egypt for the Persian campaign, and Cleopatra
| consented to the alliance because she was threat
ened by internal opposition. and wished to gather
about her the Roman legions."
This the beginning of the famous romance.
Afterward Signor Ferrero admitted it probably
into something more. Whether beautiful ugly,
Cleopatra q clever woman corresponding in
those times TO a modern Parisenne OF elegance
and culture and charm and to her fascination was
added that OF Egypt in comparison with which
Italy rude and barbarous country
1t is not necessary to suppose" said Sgnor Fer
rero. that Antony was foolishly enamoured of
Cleopatra understand the change that took place
in him after his marriage with the Queen of Egypt
Born II the modest home of an impoverished noble.
he found himself lord Of the palace of the Ptolo-
mics, with marvellous collections Of art give
him pleasure and trains of servants 70 crafty his
every wish. The luxury gradually got hold Of his
mind. and when Cleopatra tried to persuade him
not 10 conquer Persia, to accept openly the crown
of Egypt and Join with her in making that power
the FIRST in Africa and Asia, he was unable TO op-
pose 4 resolute note 70 her.
His final overthrow came not because he was
50 mad with love that he abandoned his command
in battle. but because his armies revoted when
they understood that he meant to dismember the
empire Of Rome and to create q new empire OF
Alexandria.
AUGUSTUS understood the situation perfectly"
Signor Ferrero concluded. but he and his party
created the story which has entertained pos
terity for the benefit Of the Roman public, which
believed II as postertty has believed it