Episode #22
22: Before Google Translate, There Was Cleopatra.
Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC) could speak nine languages, according to Plutarch, and rarely needed an interpreter for diplomatic purposes. Although her native language was Greek, she was known to also speak the Egyptian language perfectly, which was apparently a rare accolade for Egyptian rulers of the time. Plutarch calls Cleopatra's accomplishments "very extraordinary," even though they fall far short of those of Mithridates. She "spoke most languages," according to him, and only a small number of foreign ambassadors received an audience with her through an interpreter. It was likely her amours with Caesar, and later Antony, were conducted in Greek, which would in turn tell us that both Julius Caesar and Antony could speak Greek as well as Latin, as well as both of them being comfortable enough with the Greek language to be able to romance the Egyptian queen. Tune in for more polyglots and language learning in the ancient world.
