Film Lens
This documentary examines the impact of failed Nile floods during Cleopatra's reign, linking them to health crises in ancient Egypt. It presents groundbreaking research that connects environmental changes in Greenland to the droughts that affected Egypt, suggesting a broader climatic influence on historical events. The film also covers the domestication of dogs in ancient Egypt, highlighting their role in hunting and capturing wild animals, as evidenced by archaeological findings in Hierakonpolis.
Through interviews with experts like Dr. Hutan Ashrafian, the film discusses how sanitation and infectious diseases, potentially including bubonic plague, spread among Cleopatra's people during this tumultuous period. The narrative culminates in Cleopatra's fateful decision during the Roman civil war, illustrating how environmental and health challenges shaped the course of history.
Why Watch
- •Find out how Greenland's ice sheets connect to Egyptian droughts.
- •See the evidence of domesticated dogs in ancient Egyptian hunting.
- •Meet Dr. Hutan Ashrafian discussing diseases in Cleopatra's time.
Did You Know
•There were two consecutive years without Nile floods during Cleopatra's reign.
•Over 60 dogs have been found buried in the cemetery at Hierakonpolis.
•An ancient pot made in Egypt over 5,000 years ago depicts dogs hunting animals.
Perfect For
Ancient Egyptian historyArchaeological discoveriesClimate change impacts