Cleopatra Occult by Peter Joseph Swanson Page A

as big as Egypt needs a real ruler. The Nile is long and from the dawn of history Egypt has always had wars with Nubia. Nubia is very strong to still be there fighting after thousands of years. The same war still simmers to this day.”
    “That’s too far away from anything to matter.”
    “Egypt could easily peel away from there as they take Thebes. Memphis and Cairo could become their own power centers if not kept in check. All of Egypt could quickly split up into many fiefdoms and the Nile could become interrupted by many river tolls. In that divided state, Egypt would still feed itself very well. But if it’s to provide grain for Rome somebody needs to hold it all together.”
    “Rome holds everything together.”
    “Rome changes this land so much and could shatter old internal bonds… so be wary. Egyptians don’t see property as being private but as belonging to the gods. There are special judges who make sure property is fairly inherited and distributed for the benefit of all in a community. It has been that way for thousands of years. It has recently been changing to the chaos of Roman greed.”
    Mark grew annoyed. “How will you hold it all together?”
    “With a new branch on the old tree. Presently, there are no men in the Ptolemy family left but my incompetent little brother.”
    “He’s been educated in a palace by the best teachers of the world. He’s not stupid.”
    Cleopatra said, “He’s educated and knows all the names of all the great Greek scientists who have contributed to the Library of Alexandria. But he’s incompetent on a throne in Egypt. For real rulers, I’m all that’s left. Do you want to start a whole new dynasty out of a whole new family tree right now? What other family would that be? Who would you appoint that can understand the task? I have ruled Egypt before. I’m still loved. I can continue the Ptolemy dynasty with my offspring. I’m the only one qualified.” 
    “If Rome allowed a woman to be a permanent ruler then what would Rome give as an excuse? People will think Caesar has gone soft.”
    “That I am qualified, experienced, and am the only one who can continue the present dynasty.” She put her hand on her belly. “I will give birth to a legitimate son who will be the greatest of pharaohs in the dynasty of Ptolemy—the greatest dynasty of Egypt.”
    “That isn’t even Egyptian.”
    She shrugged. “Neither was the Nubian Dynasty but that time also created a great renaissance in Egypt that would still be with us today if they hadn’t overextended themselves and gone after the Persians.” She winked at him. “Who knows how things could flower with Egypt and Rome together. Maybe this time we’ll go after the Persians and win.”
    He took her hand and kissed it. “I should have history say that you seduced me. I’d like the story of Mark Antony to read like a string of seductions. It’ll be written that I never met a woman who didn’t throw herself into my arms… and all were rejected until an Egyptian queen floated by, lush and sweet as grapes, shining with gold and summer warmth, leaving a forest of erotic flowers in the musical turbulence of her wake. It was irresistible.”
    “You say that now, and so prettily, because I’m the only woman aboard.”
    He grinned.
    Cleopatra put his hand on her belly and looked off into the dark waves that glinted with moonlight. “Only you and Caesar matter anymore. The rest of us are just pawns. I’ll gladly serve Caesar’s Rome. I’ll gladly be a part of what holds the new world together.”
    Mark nodded. “Rome’s conquests must be kept fertile or Caesar will have my head.”
    “Rome doesn’t have to drain Egypt to get all it wants. The two nations can become very rich from each other, because of each other’s successes. Egypt and Rome together feeding each other in all arts and sciences can make each other fat in every way, and fuel a great renaissance for the entire world.”  
    “That sounds like