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Our Next Event

May 2nd, 2026 — 7:30 PM — Mary Curwen

Free and open to the public!

“Creating the Profile of a Ptolemaic Queen: Cleopatra I, Mother of the Dynasty”

Within studies of Ptolemaic queenship, Cleopatra I plays second fiddle to the more renowned Cleopatra VII and Arsinoe II: at most she is mentioned in passing, often in connection to her male relatives, and afforded a short biographical summary of her ‘regency’. Yet the political career of Cleopatra I played an integral role in the development of female Ptolemaic power.

This paper therefore considers Cleopatra I as a watershed for the role of Ptolemaic queens, arguing that she emphasized her role as ‘mother of the king’ to bolster her position at court. Using both iconographic and textual evidence, the multifaceted ways that Cleopatra I capitalized on and fundamentally defined her political and religious position are considered through her role as mother, often drawing on a multicultural background of influence and precedent.

First, her dating formula examines a mode of self-presentation during her co-rule with her son. Second, private dedications attest to the reception of her power, and her success at court can be understood to stem from a powerful support base which drew on her entourage of eunuchs.

She solidified her position through the religious sphere by establishing a greater affinity with Isis, the archetypal mother. Finally, Cleopatra’s titular, posthumous priesthoods and the institution of a dynastic name attest to her importance for Ptolemaic queenship, centering her not just as mother of the king, but of the dynasty.

About the Speaker

Mary Curwen is a PhD candidate in Ancient History at Yale University. She holds a BA in Classics and Egyptology as well as an Master of Studies (MSt) in Ancient History from the University of Oxford (St John’s College).

Mary’s work predominantly focuses on Graeco-Roman Egypt and she has a keen interest in cultural interaction, intellectual history, religious syncretism, and women’s history. She strives to employ interdisciplinary approaches within her work, and thus she often finds herself traversing the liminal spaces between various departments and disciplines.

She is currently writing a dissertation titled “The Nile Flows with Gold: Imitation, Transformation and Transmutation in the Development of Graeco-Egyptian ‘Alchemy’” which aims to both recentre the Pharaonic period roots of Graeco-Egyptian alchemy and assess the socio-economic and cultural factors which impacted its spread during the Graeco-Roman period.

Venue

Fondren Science Building — 3215 Daniel Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

Important SMU Parking Information

Southern Methodist University kindly sponsors us and provides limited free parking.

Please be sure to park in Lot Q or Lot R next to Fondren Science Building.

It’s easiest to find lecture room 123 in Fondren if you enter from the Lot R side of the building. There will be limited NT-ARCE event signage to help you find your way once inside the Fondren Science Building.

Zoom: https://smu.zoom.us/j/95822613146