The other passage is contained in Plutarch's life of Antony; and to a casual reader, who forgets that the canal could only have been navigable during the season of the inundation, in consequence of the high level of the waters of the Red Sea, a difficulty in explaining the passage will immediately occur, and an inference will be drawn against the existence of the canal at the time. Monsieur Letronne, with his usual critical sagacity, has, however, pointed out the combination of facts which render the anecdote in Plutarch a confirmation of the ordinary employment of the canal, rather than an argument against its existence at the time.[1] Cleopatra, when alarmed at the result of the war between Antony and Augustus, had sent her son Caesario, the reputed child of Julius Cesar, with a considerable amount of treasure, through Ethiopia into India.[2] "When Antony returned to Alexandria after the battle of Actium, he found Cleopatra engaged in a very stupendous and bold enterprise.
The second passage appears in Plutarch's account of Antony's life. At first glance, a reader might assume the canal could only have been navigable during the inundation season due to the high water levels of the Red Sea, leading to doubts about the canal's existence at the time. However, Monsieur Letronne, known for his critical insight, has identified the circumstances that make Plutarch's anecdote a confirmation of the canal's regular use rather than evidence against its existence. Cleopatra, fearing the outcome of the war between Antony and Augustus, had sent her son Caesario, believed to be Julius Caesar's child, along with a substantial treasure, through Ethiopia toward India. Upon Antony's return to Alexandria after the Battle of Actium, he discovered Cleopatra involved in an ambitious and remarkable undertaking.
The passage in Plutarch's life of Antony may pose a challenge for casual readers who overlook the fact that the canal was navigable solely during the inundation season, when the waters of the Red Sea were high. This oversight may lead some to question the canal's existence at that time. However, Monsieur Letronne has effectively highlighted the relevant facts that suggest the anecdote in Plutarch actually supports the canal's regular use instead of negating its existence. Cleopatra, concerned about the outcome of the conflict between Antony and Augustus, had sent her son Caesario, believed to be Julius Caesar's child, along with a substantial amount of treasure, through Ethiopia to India. When Antony returned to Alexandria after the battle of Actium, he discovered that Cleopatra was involved in an ambitious and significant endeavor.
The passage in Plutarch's life of Antony can be difficult for casual readers who fail to realize that the canal was only navigable during the inundation season, when the Red Sea was high. This omission could make some question the canal's existence at the time. But Monsieur Letronne has done a good job of pointing out the facts that indicate that the anecdote in Plutarch is actually in favor of the canal's daily use, rather than against it. Cleopatra, fearing the outcome of the war between Antony and Augustus, had sent her son Caesario, who was thought to be the son of Julius Caesar, and a large amount of treasure through Ethiopia to India. When Antony came back to Alexandria after the battle of Actium, he found Cleopatra engaged in a grand and important project.
The passage in Plutarch's life of Antony is difficult for the casual reader to understand, because he does not notice that the canal was only navigable in the inundation season, when the Red Sea was full. This mistake may cause some to doubt the canal's existence then. But Monsieur Letronne has done well to bring to light the facts which indicate that the anecdote in Plutarch is in favour of the canal's regular use, and not against it. Cleopatra, anxious about the result of the war between Antony and Augustus, had dispatched her son Caesario, supposedly the son of Julius Caesar, with a large sum of money, through Ethiopia to India. When Antony came back to Alexandria after the battle of Actium, he found that Cleopatra was engaged in a great and important project.