Cleopatra · Chapter
VI: Of the Workings of the Learned Olympus at Memphis; Of the Poisonings of Cleopatra; Of the Speech of Antony to His Captains; and of the Passing of Isis from the Land of Khem explained
Harmachis, disguised as Olympus, continues his secret work of vengeance against Cleopatra and Antony.
What happens
Harmachis, disguised as Olympus, continues his secret work of vengeance against Cleopatra and Antony. He counsels them toward ruin, saps Antony's will with drugs, and undermines loyalty among Egyptian leaders. Cleopatra tests poisons on slaves. Antony suspects betrayal when Pelusium falls. Harmachis reveals himself to Antony's captains and conjures a vision of Isis departing Egypt, signaling the end of the old gods' presence in the land.
Themes in this chapter
Jealousy and Revenge
Harmachis pursues his vengeance against Cleopatra and Antony, manipulating events to ensure their ruin, even as he feels pity for Antony's parallel suffering.
Power and Corruption
Cleopatra's use of poison on slaves and her manipulation of loyalty, alongside Harmachis's corrupting influence on Antony and Egyptian leaders, illustrate the moral decay at the heart of the Ptolemaic court.
Religion and Mysticism
Harmachis invokes the power of Isis to conjure a vision, but the goddess's departure signifies the end of divine presence in Egypt, blending mysticism with the theme of religious decline.
The Fall of Empires
The chapter depicts the imminent collapse of Antony and Cleopatra's rule, with Egypt's loyalty crumbling and Caesar's forces closing in.
Characters to notice
- Harmachis
Narrates his continued work of vengeance, using his disguise as Olympus to counsel Antony and Cleopatra toward ruin, and to undermine Egyptian loyalty.
- Cleopatra
Tests poisons on slaves, stores treasure in her mausoleum, and leans on Olympus for prophecies and counsel as Caesar approaches.
- Antony
Given drugged draughts by Olympus, he becomes dependent on him; suspects Cleopatra of betrayal when Pelusium falls, but is calmed.
- Charmion
Aids Harmachis in his schemes; secretly sends word to Seleucus to surrender Pelusium, hastening the end.
- Seleucus
Surrenders Pelusium to Caesar, acting on Charmion's secret counsel.
- Iras
Present with Cleopatra during the poison tests on slaves.
- Octavian
Referred to as Caesar; his forces advance on Alexandria, and he is the target of Cleopatra's treasure-burning plan.
Key passages
“I gave him of my draughts—draughts that sank his soul in dreams of happiness and power, leaving him to wake to a heavier misery.”
I administered drugs that plunged him into blissful dreams, only to make his awakening more wretched.
Harmachis describes how he chemically enslaved Antony's will.
“The ass looks at its burden and is blind to its master.”
The people are so focused on their own troubles that they ignore their ruler.
A proverb used to explain why Alexandrians were indifferent to Cleopatra's plight.
“I have caused six different poisons to be given to these slaves, and with an attentive eye have watched their working.”
I administered six different poisons to these slaves and carefully observed their effects.
Cleopatra's coldly scientific approach to testing poisons on human subjects.
“It is Bacchus! Bacchus, who leaves lost Antony!”
It is Bacchus abandoning the doomed Antony!
The soldiers misinterpret the vision of Isis as the god Bacchus deserting Antony.
