The Cleopatra Pearls.—circa B.C. 30.
These
celebrated Pearls were possessed by the famous Cleopatra, queen of
Egypt and last of the Ptolemies. According to the well-known story, one
of these gems was dissolved in vinegar, and drunk by the queen at a
banquet given by her in honour of Antony, one of the second
triumvirate, and de facto ruler of the East.
This
is how Pliny tells the tale, according to old Dr. Holland's version : "
Two onely Pearles there were together, the fairest and richest that
ever have been knowne in the world, and those possessed at one time by
Cleopatra, the last queene of Egypt, which came into her hands by the
means of the great kings of the East, and were left unto her by
descent. This princesse, when M. Antonius had strained himselfe to doe
her all the pleasure he possibly could, and had feasted her day by day
most sumptuously, and spared for no cost, in the
