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Epaphroditus was a freedman of Octavian, the later Emperor Augustus. After Octavian had succeeded in capturing the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII in her Mausoleum in Alexandria she was strictly guarded by Epaphroditus and some other guardians under his command, first in her Mausoleum, then in the palace (early August 30 BC).〔Plutarch, ''Life of Antony'' 79.6; Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'' 51.11.4-5 (according to this author Epaphroditus also participated in the capture of Cleopatra)〕 Because Octavian allegedly wanted to present Cleopatra in his triumphal procession in Rome he instructed Epaphroditus to prevent Cleopatra from killing herself. But the Queen was able to feign her will to live so that Epaphroditus observed her less strictly. Then she gave him an urgent sealed letter that he should deliver personally to Octavian and while he was absent she succeeded in committing suicide.〔Cassius Dio, ''Roman History'' 51.13.3-5; compare Plutarch, ''Life of Antony'' 85.4-6〕 Some modern historians do not believe this ancient tradition, but assume that Octavian had no interest that Cleopatra survived. Because the Emperor knew that she rather wanted to die than to be presented in a triumph he ordered Epaphroditus – according to this theory – to control Cleopatra only apparently, so that she could easily commit suicide. Later he pretended to be angry that Cleopatra had been able to kill herself.〔This theory is supported for example by Michael Grant, ''Cleopatra'', p. 310-311〕 == Notes == 〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Epaphroditus (freedman of Augustus)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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