The Legend of Cleopatra
One of the most famous legends involving pearls involves Cleopatra and Marc Antony. The legend goes that while they were discussing the great wealth of their respective countries Cleopatra claimed that she could have a feast that where she could consume the worth of an entire nation. Marc Antony was of course incredulous of this, and challenged her to do so. The next day the feast was prepared. As the opening toast was given Cleopatra took a pearl from one of her Pearl Necklaces and crushed it into her wine glass. She then took a drink proving to Marc Antony that she was in fact able to consume an entire nations’s wealth in one sitting.
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