The Cleopatras
The Cleopatras is a 1983 BBC Television historical drama serial created and written by Philip Mackie. Set in Ancient Egypt during the latter part of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the eight-part series follows the lives of a series of queens belonging to the Ptolemaic Dynasty of ancient Egypt, culminating in its final active ruler Cleopatra VII. Intended to be the I, Claudius of the 1980s, The Cleopatras met with a decidedly negative critical reaction, and was regarded and portrayed as a gaudy farce. It also produced a number of complaints due to scenes of nudity.
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Cast
Seasons
- Ep 1
1.145 BC
19-01-198350mPtolemy VIII, known as Pot Belly, takes control. A vengeful mother has the support of the mob - and persuades Rome she can be just as good a friend as Potbelly. In revenge Pot Bell...
- Ep 2
2.128 BC
26-01-198350mGreek Pharoah Pot Belly shows himself to be one of the few men to better the Cleopatras of his family.
- Ep 3
3.115 BC
02-02-198350mOn his deathbed, Pot Belly stages his greatest practical joke -leaving a will gleefully designed to cause mayhem. It works. Chickpea becomes king against Cleopatra's wishes. Howeve...
- Ep 4
4.100 BC
09-02-198350mBerenike plots to get rid of her drunken husband Alexander. Chickpea reclaims the throne and Berenike's ambition is realised when he makes her joint monarch. However, his death lea...
- Ep 5
5.80 BC
16-02-198350mFor all his eccentricity, Fluter sees clearly that Rome is the true source of all power, and he sets off on an extended royal visit, dispensing large sums of money to bribe both Ca...
- Ep 6
6.51 BC
23-02-198350mThe youngest and most notorious of the Cleopatras, now 18, becomes joint ruler with her brother Ptolemy. Civil war breaks out. It is only the arrival of Julius Caesar that makes a...
- Ep 7
7.46 BC
02-03-198250mCleopatra gives birth to Julius Caesar's son and takes him to republican Rome to persuade Caesar to declare himself King - with her son as heir.
- Ep 8
8.35 BC
09-03-198250mMark Anthony's insatiable passion for Cleopatra saps his military judgement.
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