My mother’s flaw was loving men far too much. And she proved herself to lack ability in the loyalty and faithfulness department. Her consorts were many and often well defined noble men.

But history already told you that.

Mine is a story about a consort you’ve never been introduced to. His name was Philipe and he was a soldier in Octavian’s Roman army. They met during the Battle of Actium in 31.

Before Cleopatra’s fleet retreated she spotted a gorgeous man floating in the water. She quickly had him pulled aboard, and secretly arranged for his care and rehabilitation.

Over the next year, a passionate relationship developed between the two. All was well until Cleopatra became pregnant the following July. Octavian’s army was raging upon Egypt and Philipe had decided to rejoin his Roman brothers. Mark Antony had fallen into deep depression, refusing both his wife and life itself.

Come August, Cleopatra found herself alone and her empire soon to be ripped away from her. But then the gods intervened.