Throughout our world ' s history there have been many tales of pearls and their magnificence. Pearls have always been treasures of exotic jewelry and in many cultures they have been initiate as priceless gifts from the gods and goddesses. Trimmed in today ' s society the pearl and pearl jewelry are in control in great admiration and are convenient by many, many humans. by taking a look at the history of the pearl and all of the legends and stories that has involved the pearl we can see how other cultures well in demand and high-priced the pearl.
Now one of the most popular legends that involves a pearl would have to be a legend about two lovers and at the same time two of the greatest powers of their time. It is a legend about Marc Antony and Cleopatra. These two undying rulers at one time were verbal to have made a bet. This story has been handed down for centuries and was actually first recorded by a man named Plutarch who was basically a historian of the time. it is said that Marc Antony and Cleopatra had made a bet that Egypt was a far grander and far wealthier state than Rome could ever be. And for that reason Egypt could not be conquered by Rome.
So due to the bet Cleopatra that she would throw a grand banquet to prove this and in Marc Antony ' s honor the banquet was held. There was finery all through the hall as fitting a grand state such as Egypt. And on the banquet table where Marc Antony and Cleopatra would sit there was a an empty plate and a goblet filled with what is now said to be wine but was probably more like a vinegar that was set in front of them both. Cleopatra ' s servants came out and brought out the main course. That course was one of the largest and most amazingly beautiful pearls that were ever seen. The servants placed this pearl upon Cleopatra ' s empty plate and she then proceeded to crush the pearl and the place the dust of the pearl into the goblet of wine. After drinking down her exotic and vastly expensive concoction she then offered Marc Antony his portion of the dinner which was a pearl that was just as exquisite. He of course declined and said that the beautiful queen had won her bet and that Egypt should not be conquered. Of course there are many reports that say that Cleopatra and her land had already been conquered at the time that this legend is supposed to take place but it shows a great respect for the pearl and how highly it was prized. Marc Antony declined his dinner because to the Romans the pearl was priceless.
There are other stories about the pearl and Egypt that show that even though the pearl was highly prized also the Egyptians actually used the pearl for other purposes and it will even show how intelligent Cleopatra truly was. It is said that Cleopatra would actually take many pearls and dissolve them in a solution of vinegar and then drink the concoction down as part of her beauty routine. It was believed that the pearl would help with aging and keeping the gorgeous queen as beautiful as ever. Now this certainly shows her intelligence. You see she knew that Marc Antony held the pearl very highly and that he would find them priceless because in his land they were very hard to come by and only the richest of the rich could actually obtain these grand pearls. Where she just used them as her beauty regimen. Crushing a pearl for her banquet and her bet was no more to Cleopatra than her daily youth drink.
