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“Imperator, hand over thy fishing-rod to the fishermen of Pharos and Canopus; thy sport is the hunting of cities, realms, and continents.”

As reported by Plutarch · Life of Antony 29.4 (trans. Bernadotte Perrin, 1920)

Context Plutarch relates that after Antony had divers secretly fix fish to his hook while angling at Alexandria, she had a salted fish attached instead, then teased him with these words.

Portrait of Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VIIEgypt · 70/69 BC – 30 BC (reigned 51–30 BC)
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