Duane W. Roller

FIGURE 6. View of modern Tarsos. Courtesy of Duane W. Roller.
Th e Kydnos was a major stream (in the fourth century b.c. it was two
plethra, or about 200 feet, in width). 41 Today Tarsos is a hot dusty town,
and the Kydnos almost invisible, but the city still invokes its dynamic
past. In the fi rst century b.c., however, the approach up the broad
river would have been an event of grandeur. Plutarch’s description is
based on an eyewitness account of someone standing on the riverbank,
seeing, hearing, and smelling it all, as Cleopatra’s procession passed by.
Th e source is probably someone close to Antonius, given the perspective
and the personal comments about the triumvir that follow, perhaps
his chronicler Dellius or the historian Sokrates of Rhodes, another
member of Antonius’s entourage. 42 It was a carefully constructed scene
demonstrating a strong theatrical sense on Cleopatra’s part. She made
the intended impression on Antonius, who, along with his offi cers and
entourage, was invited on board her boat to dine and was presented with
a meal lavish beyond description, especially remarkable for the lighting
within the cabin, whose walls were covered with tapestries woven with
gold and purple. Th ere were 12 dining tables, and the service was fi nely
made of gold inlaid with precious stones. Th e following evening there
was a more lavish banquet, and the guests were allowed to take away
many of the furnishings, escorted home in litters or on horseback. 43 On
the third day Antonius reciprocated, but his banquet was embarrassing
78 Cleopatra