In my book CATALINA, QUEEN OF THE NIGHTLINGS VOLUME 1 CLEOPATRA'S PEARLS , We learn of an outlandish proposal and a crazy romance between the Egyptian Queen and a traveling Mark Anthony. Here are more tidbits all about one of the most powerful women in history. 

​

​

1.    Cleopatra engaged in a bet with Marc Antony. She wagered that she could            serve the most expensive dinner party ever. She won the contest by drinking        a cocktail containing a pearl, which was then described as, the "largest in the        whole of history," according to ancient scribes. Rumors say her drink bubbled        and fizzed dissolving the pearl moments before slugging it down. 

​

2.    Cleopatra was well educated in the art of chemistry. Ancient pages from a            book written about cosmetics and perfume still exist, demonstrating her              skills.

​

3.    Calcium carbonate (the main components of pearls) dissolves in vinegar. It             has been said to take a minimum of 10 minutes for pearls to completely              disintegrate.
 
4.    Cleopatra could speak at least 7 languages, including Greek and Egyptian.

​

5.    Way back in 41 B.C., Cleopatra, along with Mark Antony, started a drinking              club known as the "Inimitable Livers". A homage to their excessive life of              leisure.

​

6.    Around 44 B.C. Cleopatra moved to Rome as Julius Caesars' mistress. Her love         of pearl jewelry, glamorous wardrobe and exotic hairstyles became a fashion         trend forever changing the Roman empire.

​

7.    A shrewd and powerful woman, Cleopatra had a hand in killing three of her          siblings, one of which was her twice married brother.

​