The Cleopatras

Episode 01

145 BC

Jan 19, 1983 · 50 min

Ptolemy VIII, known as Pot Belly, takes control. A vengeful mother has the support of the mob - and persuades Rome she can be just as good a friend as Potbelly. In revenge Pot Belly sends a very special present.

Episode 02

128 BC

Jan 26, 1983 · 50 min

Greek Pharoah Pot Belly shows himself to be one of the few men to better the Cleopatras of his family.

Episode 03

115 BC

Feb 2, 1983 · 50 min

On his deathbed, Pot Belly stages his greatest practical joke -leaving a will gleefully designed to cause mayhem. It works. Chickpea becomes king against Cleopatra's wishes. However, Cleopatra turns the mob against him, leaving her free to invite her favourite son, Alexander, to share the throne with her. She gets more than she bargained for.

Episode 04

100 BC

Feb 9, 1983 · 50 min

Berenike plots to get rid of her drunken husband Alexander. Chickpea reclaims the throne and Berenike's ambition is realised when he makes her joint monarch. However, his death leaves a dangerous power vacuum - and Rome is now taking a more than friendly interest.

Episode 05

80 BC

Feb 16, 1983 · 50 min

For all his eccentricity, Fluter sees clearly that Rome is the true source of all power, and he sets off on an extended royal visit, dispensing large sums of money to bribe both Caesar and the Senate to back him. The Egyptians, furious at this subservience, depose him in his absence and make his wife, Cleopatra Tryphaena, and his daughter, Berenike, joint monarchs. But the illegitimate Fluter has enough Ptolemy blood not to let go easily.

Episode 06

51 BC

Feb 23, 1983 · 50 min

The youngest and most notorious of the Cleopatras, now 18, becomes joint ruler with her brother Ptolemy. Civil war breaks out. It is only the arrival of Julius Caesar that makes a solution possible. Cleopatra and Caesar become lovers. She believes she has found the man to help her realise her ambition to rule the world.

Episode 07

46 BC

Mar 2, 1982 · 50 min

Cleopatra gives birth to Julius Caesar's son and takes him to republican Rome to persuade Caesar to declare himself King - with her son as heir.

Episode 08

35 BC

Mar 9, 1982 · 50 min

Mark Anthony's insatiable passion for Cleopatra saps his military judgement.