Asterix and Cleopatra
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| Asterix and Cleopatra | |
 |
|
| Original French title |
Astérix et Cléopâtre |
|---|---|
| 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. It was first published in serial form in Pilote magazine, issues 215-257, in 1963.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
The book begins with an argument between Cleopatra, Queen 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, who claims to be the best architect in Egypt. 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's 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] Influences
The title is a reference to William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. However, the book is largely an extended parody of the then-recent film Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The book's cover parodies the film's poster (right).
[edit] Relationship to other Asterix books
In most Asterix books, Obelix is not permitted to drink the Magic Potion, but Getafix makes an exception due to an extraordinary requirement (the need to force open a solid stone door inside a pyramid). Obelix notices no difference, but keeps asking for more potion in subsequent volumes.
Obelix's dog, Dogmatix, is named for the first time in this story. It is also the first story in which Dogmatix takes a significant role (rescuing the heroes from a maze inside a Pyramid).
The recurring pirate characters appear in this book; unusually, the captain expresses his determination to wreak revenge on the Gauls (in other books, he simply wishes never to encounter them again).
[edit] Film adaptations
This album has been adapted for film twice: first as an animated 1968 film entitled Asterix and Cleopatra), and then as a live-action 2002 film called Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra.
[edit] In other languages
- Ancient Greek: Αστερίκιος και Κλεοπάτρα
- Bengali: Asterix o Cleopatra
- Catalan: Astèrix i Cleòpatra
- Dutch: Asterix en Cleopatra
- Finnish: Asterix ja Kleopatra. This was the first Asterix adventure to be translated into Finnish.
- German: Asterix und Kleopatra
- Greek: Αστερίξ και Κλεοπάτρα
- Hindi: Estriks aur Klyopetraa
- Icelandic: Ástríkur og Kleópatra
- Italian: Asterix e Cleopatra
- Norwegian: Asterix og Kleopatra
- Polish: Asterix i Kleopatra
- Portuguese: Astérix e Cleópatra
- Serbian: Астерикс и Клеопатра
- Spanish: Asterix y Cleopatra
- Swedish: Asterix och Kleopatra
- Turkish: Asteriks ve Kleopatra
