[42] The thalamegos described by Athenæus was not that used on this occasion, but the description will serve to give an idea of its luxury.
[43] Athenæus, v. 37. The number of banks of oars and the measurements, as given by him, are probably exaggerated.
[44] It was presented to the British Government, and now stands on the Thames Embankment in London. It is known as “Cleopatra’s Needle.”
[45] Cicero, A. xi. 17. 13.
[46] He could have performed the journey in five days or less with a favourable wind.
[47] Notably Dr Mahaffy.
[48] Judging by the remark of the commentator on Lucan, ‘Pharsalia,’ x. 521.
[49] A coin inscribed with the words Ægypto capta was struck after his return to Rome (Goltzius: de re Numm.)
[50] Houssaye, ‘Aspasie, Cleopatre, Theodora,’ p. 91, for example, says that society was shocked at a Roman being in love with an Egyptian; and Sergeant, ‘Cleopatra of Egypt,’ writes: “It was as an Egyptian that Cleopatra offended the Romans.”
[51] Horace’s Ode was written after the engineered talk of the “eastern peril” had done its work—i.e., after Actium.