Cleopatra: personer, tidslinje och platser

A doctor removes three papyrus rolls from a strangely preserved body, giving the narrator access to Harmachis’s account.

Atoua substitutes her grandson for Harmachis, saving him when Ptolemy sends guards to kill him.

Amenemhat confirms Harmachis’s royal descent and his task of freeing Egypt from foreign rule.

Harmachis studies under Sepa at Annu for five years before being directed toward initiation.

During initiation, Harmachis encounters Isis, who makes his mission’s success depend on his own conduct.

Harmachis accepts a secret coronation after his supporters explain their plan to overthrow Cleopatra through her death.

Charmion explains the conspiracy and arranges Harmachis’s entry into Cleopatra’s palace as an astrologer.

Cleopatra’s account of political pressure and loneliness makes Harmachis ashamed of his assigned role as her assassin.

Cleopatra defeats Harmachis’s intended attack through song, intimacy, and drugged wine, then removes his dagger.

Cleopatra reveals her knowledge of the plot and threatens Harmachis’s father and fellow conspirators until he accepts her kiss.

Cleopatra promises to defend Egypt and marry Harmachis, persuading him to lead her to hidden treasure.

Harmachis and Cleopatra take jewels from Menkau-ra’s mummy despite a warning against selfish use.

Cleopatra accepts Antony’s invitation instead of publicly acknowledging Harmachis as her husband.

Harmachis fights Cleopatra’s guards and suffers a severe wound, but Charmion and Brennus persuade her to spare him.

Charmion helps Harmachis overhear Cleopatra planning his secret death and pledging herself to Antony.

While preparing his escape, Charmion admits that jealousy drove her to betray Harmachis’s conspiracy.

After escaping and surviving a storm, Harmachis returns to Abouthis, where his father condemns him and dies.

Living as the healer Olympus, Harmachis gains Cleopatra’s trust and deliberately guides her and Antony toward ruin.

Cleopatra fails to recognize Harmachis as Olympus and orders him to treat Antony.

Harmachis and Charmion secretly weaken Cleopatra’s defenses while she prepares for death and Antony rallies his commanders.

After his forces desert, Antony wounds himself on hearing Cleopatra’s false death report and dies beside her.

Cleopatra drinks poison, and Harmachis reveals himself, but her death brings him no joy.

Harmachis forgives Charmion before she poisons herself, then confesses before the High Priests and is sent to a dungeon.

Harmachis awaits an uncertain death in prison, hoping for forgiveness while confessing his continuing love for Cleopatra.