La Cleopatra

Cover of the Epic Poem "La Cleopatra" (1632) by Girolamo Graziani
Author	Girolamo Graziani
Original title	'La Cleopatra' Poema in XIII Canti
Language	Italian
Genre	epic poem
Publisher	Sarzina (Italy)
Publication date	1632
Publication place	Italy
Pages	344
Preceded by	L'Iride, per le nozze serenissime di Maria Farnese Principessa di Parma e Francesco d'Este Duca di Modena. Canzone, Reggio, Flaminio Bartoli, 1631
Followed by	La Calisto. Panegirico in sesta rima alle glorie di Cristina regina di Svezia, Parigi, Agostino Courbé, 1644

La Cleopatra is an epic poem in 13 songs by Girolamo Graziani (1604–1674). The work was very successful at the time and was praised by many famous writers, including Fulvio Testi.^[1][2]

The Plot

It deals with the story of love and war of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. It is full of pathetic-sentimental scenes that drag towards the end granted with the final double suicide (Cleopatra commits suicide, after witnessing the suicide of Mark Antony).

Curiosity

It contains a prophecy in which Proteus vaticinates the Este's Kinship from Augustus.

Editions

• Venice, Sarzina, 1632
• Venice, 1633
• Bologna, Per Carlo Zenero, 1652
• Venice, Francesco Brogiollo, 1670