[Queen Cleopatra Review Netflix] the black version, but not “woke.”

Queen Cleopatra The documentary series, consisting of four episodes, is a Netflix production created by Jada Pinkett Smith (wife of Will Smith). It explores the story of Cleopatra, the world’s most renowned woman, in the version popularized by Afrocentric historians, who argue that Egypt was ruled by black African culture and that the majority of ancient Egyptians were black. Cleopatra, therefore, is likely to have been black as well. This series aims to provide viewers with a fresh perspective on Cleopatra’s story, allowing them to gain a new understanding of her in the world.

 

Queen Cleopatra Review Netflix

The series follows the historical narrative, beginning with Cleopatra ascending to the throne by marrying her younger brother, as per the tradition of Egypt that required co-rulership of both Isis and Osiris, symbolizing the divine union of male and female to govern the people. However, there were subsequent betrayals within the sibling alliance, leading Cleopatra to flee the city before establishing a relationship with Julius Caesar. This eventually allowed her to return and successfully reclaim the throne. She then plotted the demise of her own sibling, which ultimately led to the final chapter where, despite her prosperous reign over Egypt, she succumbed to the political miscalculations and became the last pharaoh of Egypt.

The series depicts the story by dividing it into episodes focusing on significant adversaries of Cleopatra. In the first three episodes, the central conflict revolves around her intense rivalry with her siblings: two younger brothers and one younger sister. The series showcases her ruthless attempts to eliminate each of them, even after they are exiled from the city. However, these acts of cruelty pose a future threat to Cleopatra herself. Her siblings also attempt to find ways to kill her, as if it were a natural rule, in order to ensure a smooth reign.

 

 

The final episode revolves around Cleopatra’s Roman adversaries, particularly Octavian, the successor of Julius Caesar, and his formidable army. Cleopatra’s romantic involvement with Mark Antony, a powerful Roman general who held significant influence in Rome, becomes a political game that serves as a pretext for Rome to wage war against Egypt. Their relationship ultimately leads to a complex political situation where Rome uses it as a justification for military action against Egypt. This eventually leads to the downfall and disintegration of Egyptian civilization.

The storytelling in the series is engaging and fluid, making it enjoyable to follow. It is a well-funded production with high production values. It successfully presents a simplified version of Cleopatra’s historical story that is easy to understand. There are minor details that differ from other versions, such as the absence of the snakebite as Cleopatra’s cause of death. The series primarily focuses on political intrigue and governance, portraying Cleopatra as a politician and strategist rather than a warrior. She holds beliefs in the Egyptian gods and sees herself as a divine figure, which conflicts with the Roman representative system that values the voice of the people. Cleopatra’s attempts to establish a relationship with Rome become a catalyst for a power struggle, leading to the assassination of Julius Caesar and eventually the downfall of Egypt.

The issue of Cleopatra’s skin color change doesn’t really pose any significant problem to the overall narrative in history. This topic has been heavily debated before, primarily regarding Cleopatra’s ethnicity, with no concrete evidence confirming her maternal lineage. In the story itself, this aspect is only briefly mentioned at the beginning and is not the main focus. The actress Adele James is beautiful and has a captivating presence that fits well with the portrayal of a black Egyptian character, as there were black people living in Egypt as part of its normal population.

Overall, it is a well-executed documentary on Cleopatra that presents a fresh perspective on the topic of ethnicity. It doesn’t fall into the “woke” trend, but rather provides an engaging portrayal that captures the audience’s attention. It also presents the historical backdrop of the power struggles in politics, showcasing the clash between the representative system of Rome and the hypothetical divine rule of Egypt. This ultimately leads to a grand conflict nations, marking the end of the Pharaonic era with Cleopatra as the last ruler. History enthusiasts shouldn’t miss out on this.

 

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