Anthony and Cleopatra

What impression does Dio give of the relationship between Cleopatra and Anthony, and how does this impression relate to other Roman attitudes found in the chapter.

The overall impression I have taken from Dio's description of the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra is one of a seduction of a Roman by a foreign temptress who has used her guile’s to dissociate Anthony from his own countrymen , Dio uses such words as enslaved and enthralled which strongly suggest that Anthony was acting against his normal behaviour in the relationship. Dio further suggests this by reference to her constant close attendance to Anthony ,' rode with him on horseback even in the cities'.(Cassius Dio , 50.5)   This is at odds with the Roman virtues of Masculinity and martial prowess which Augustus extols in his speech before the battle of Actium by suggesting that Anthony has become effeminate in deed , ' it is impossible for anyone who indulges in a life of royal luxury and pampers himself as a woman to conceive a manly thought or do a manly deed ' . (Scott-Kilvert , 1987 in Fear , 2008 , p. 27 ) , as the Romans were also unable to conceive of the concept of a woman being a position of power and influence as this was not the case in Roman life , in fact the Romans found the idea of a Queen 'abhorrent' (Fear,2008 , p 13)
              Also by the practise of representing Anthony and Cleopatra in art as linked deities from the Egyptian belief system Dio is attenuating the alien nature of the relationship to his Roman audience by showing that Anthony has forsaken the Roman pantheon in favour of Cleopatra's Egyptian gods further reinforcing the image of a man turning his back on the norm . This would suggest to the Romans , who considered other non – Roman beliefs as being inferior .'They Worship reptiles and beasts as gods' (Scott-Kilvert , 1987 in Fear , 2008 , p. 27 ) This theme is   expanded upon by Dios description of Anthony's altered actions and dress which were , as he says '...