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“Do not abandon thine own wife while she lives, nor permit a triumph to be celebrated over myself in my person, but hide and bury me here with thyself…”

As reported by Plutarch · Life of Antony 84.4 (trans. Bernadotte Perrin, 1920)

Context Plutarch has her speak at Antony's tomb shortly before her death, as Octavian's prisoner, while pouring libations and praying not to be led in his triumph.

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

“"I will not be triumphed over." (attributed by ancient tradition to her refusal to be paraded through Rome)”
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