While there are records surviving which document Joan of Arc and Cleopatra that we can trust, both of their lives and stories have been wrapped in thick layers of mythology. Each generation exposed to these stories extracts themes which seen most meaningful to them and proceed to enlarge upon it. If we insist that Joan of Arc of France born in 1412 and Cleopatra of Egypt born in 69 BC are immortal and of lasting historical significance, we must ask ourselves how these great figures have been used by succeeding generations as an inspiration for resistance to foreign occupation? There is a wealth of historical evidences and even aspects of modern popular culture that testify to the fact that Joan and Cleopatra have inspired past generations and continue to motivate people to act in ways which solve their emotional or political needs. The only remaining question is the matter of degree and effectiveness. Joan of Arc or Jeanne d’ Arc is a highly popular figure in literature, movies, televisions and other cultural works even though she’s been dead for almost 600 years. A girl born into a French peasant family in a time when her country was partially occupied by English troops, she brought a message of hope to the the French people and French nobility. Her message galvanized French resistance and her people pulled themselves out of a generation of …show more content…
Since her death, men have created an religion call Islam, a belief system that doesn't leave much room for strong woman figures. In addition, the royal Egyptian blood line no longer exist, nor does Cleopatra’s blood line exist and Egypt today is no longer a kingdom. For Cleopatra’s contribution to be honoured and adapted for use by a modern Egyptian society, that society has to first acknowledge the equality of women. There is no question that Egyptians are proud of Cleopatra, Egyptian museums and parks are filled with relics associated with her