Asterix and Cleopatra
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| Asterix and Cleopatra | |
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| French Title: | Astérix et Cleopatre |
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| Story: | René Goscinny |
| Illustrations: | Albert Uderzo |
| French Edition: | 1965 |
| English Translation: | 1969 |
| Preceded by: | Asterix and the Banquet |
| Followed by: | Asterix and the Big Fight |
Asterix and Cleopatra, the sixth book in the Asterix comic book series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, was serialized in Pilote issues 215-257 in 1963.
Contents |
[edit] Plot Summary
The book starts with an argument between Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Julius Caesar, in which Caesar belittles the accomplishments of the Egyptian people. Infuriated, Cleopatra makes a wager with Caesar promising to build a new palace in Alexandria within three months. Cleopatra summons Edifis, the best architect in Egypt -- though the actual merit in this distinction is questionable. She promises Edifis that if he builds the palace on time he will be covered with gold; if he fails, he will be a meal for the sacred crocodiles.
A worried Edifis enlists the help of the Gauls, Asterix, Obelix, Getafix, and Dogmatix. Thanks to Getafix and his magic potion, the work goes forward on schedule, despite multiple attempts by Edifis' arch rival, Artifis, to sabotage the construction.
Just before the palace is due to be completed, Caesar intervenes by sending legions to try and destroy the palace. The Gauls fight off the Roman soldiers, but Caesar proceeds to shell the building with his catapults. In desperation, Asterix and Dogmatix deliver the news to Cleopatra. A furious Cleopatra then hurries to the construction site to give Caesar a thorough tongue lashing. Caesar's legions are required to fix the damage they caused (without any magic potion to help them) and the palace is successfully completed on time. Cleopatra wins her bet and covers Edifis with gold.
[edit] Notes
- Much of Asterix and Cleopatra is an extended parody of the then-recent Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton film Cleopatra, including the cover, which parodies the film's poster (at right), although the title reflects William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra.
- Obelix receives a few drops of Magic Potion which Getafix usually does not allow since he fell into the cauldron when he was a baby. He makes an exception for him in this episode due to the extraordinary requirement made of him.
- Dogmatix (Obelix's dog) is named for the first time in this story, and is also the first story in which he takes a significant role (rescuing the heroes from a maze inside a Pyramid).
- When he is seen rowing Cleopatra's galley, the pirate captain expresses the determination to get his revenge on the Gauls. This is the only time he makes such a comment, usually he wants to get as far away from the Gauls as possible.
[edit] Film Adaptation
This album has been adapted into a motion picture twice: as animation in 1968 (also titled Asterix and Cleopatra), and as live-action in 2002 as Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra.
[edit] In other languages
- French: Astérix et Cléopâtre
- Italian: Asterix e Cleopatra
- Catalan: Astèrix i Cleòpatra
- Spanish: Asterix y Cleopatra
- Finnish: Asterix ja Kleopatra. This was the first Asterix adventure to be translated into Finnish.
- Dutch: Asterix en Cleopatra
- Polish: Asterix i Kleopatra
- Portuguese: Astérix e a Cleópatra
- German: Asterix und Kleopatra
- Icelandic: Ástríkur og Kleópatra
- Swedish: Asterix och Kleopatra
- Ancient Greek: Asterikios kai Kleopatra
- Bengali: Asterix o Cleopatra
