Chapters 49 through 56 Summary

In chapter forty-nine, Olympos urges Cleopatra to take a draught that will end her pregnancy. She agrees but then backs out and is relieved. Mardian brings her a letter from a friend, who says that the affair between Antony and Cleopatra has prompted a great deal of gossip and that Antony's wife is angry. In chapter fifty, Cleopatra continues to study prophesies and believes she is the widow of Caesar mentioned in the Sibylline Leaves. Cleopatra learns that Herod is traveling to Rome and will stop over in Egypt. She endures a difficult labor before her due date and delivers twins, a boy she names Alexander Helios and a girl named Cleopatra Selene. One day a messenger arrives with a letter from Antony announcing his marriage. The letter is formal and Cleopatra considers her answer only a few moments before giving...