Compare the representation (or self-representation) of at least two (2) Ptolemaic queens from Arsinoe II to Cleopatra VII. How are they represented, or how do they represent themselves? Does their iconography change over time (i.e., crowns, dress, attributes, poses, etc.)? Can you link elements of or changes in their representations in inscriiptions and documents to elements of or changes in their iconography? Are they associated (or do they associate themselves) with particular places or temples or gods or goddesses? Can you connect changes in their representation to the prevailing politics or the way in which ruler cult worked? Can you detect differences in messaging to differences in audience or meaning encoded in context or style?
You do not need to restrict yourself to plastic images, but you may also use inscriiptions, poems (e.g., Idyll 15 by Theocritus or the “Lock of Berenike” in Book 4 of the Aitia by Callimachus, known largely through Catulus’s translation, poem 66), or even (in the case of Cleopatra VII) representations by others after the fact, like Plutarch’s Life of Antony (but you must find a way to read such literary sources as communicating something about the queen’s (self-)representation, even if through a distorting lens).
Suggested Bibliography:(You don’t have to use all of these but you do need to you some of these)
Ashton 2001, Ashton 2003, Ashton 2011, Carney 2013, Clayman 2011, Clayman 2013, Foster 2006, Gutzwiller 1992, Hazzard 2000, Higgs and Walker 2001 [course reserves], Hölbl 2001, Kleiner 2005, Reed 2000, Roller 2010, Smith 1988 [course reserves], Stanwick 2002 [course reserves]
A reliable source of information on the Ptolemaic kings and queens, with references to ancient sources may be found Chris Bennett’s website: http://www.instonebrewer.com/TyndaleSites/Egypt/ptolemies/genealogy.htm
Callimachus’s “Lock of Berenike” survives only in fragments. Fortunately, the Roman republican poet Catulus adapted the poem, which gives us a sense of what we are missing. A translation of Catullus 66 is available in the appendix to Clayman 2013. While this book will be very helpful, for the poem itself, I would start with Gutzwiller 1992. Callimachus is available in (a) a new translation and commentary in Harder 2012 [course reserves], (b) via the Loeb Classical Library (online: DOI: 10.4159/DLCL.callimachus-aetia.1973; but you need to be logged into NYU; the Lock of Berenike is Bk. 4, frag. 110), or (c) The Dickinson College Commentary (http://dcc.dickinson.edu/callimachus-aetia/book-4/lock-berenice).
Theocritus is available in a new translation from the Loeb Classical Library (online); Reed 2000 is a good starting point.
Sources in the suggest bibliography can be found here: https://www.zotero.org/groups/2223490/greco-roman_egypt_nyu_core
