Naera and Charmion

Explanation

of these two, the one took care of Queen Cleopatra's hair, and the other of her nails. They remained with her even unto death, and after their death received splendid burial and honour. For Caesar Augustus, having mastered Cleopatra, wished to take from her the royal diadem and lead her in triumph through the midst of the city. But Cleopatra, choosing rather to die honourably than to be dishonoured in the rank of a private person on a stage, resolved to do herself in. To make trial of her plan, she ordered Naera and Charmion to apply asps to each of her own breasts; and they, having done this, were killed. Then likewise Cleopatra, royally arrayed, applied an asp to her breast and was killed by it. Bronze statues were therefore erected to Naera and Charmion before Cleopatra's tomb (which is called the Mausoleum), because they remained with her even unto death. The proverb is said of those who share in danger with their benefactors even unto death.