Last week I headed over to the Franklin Institute to check out its newest exhibit, “Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt.” It was a fascinating look into the work of Franck Goddio, the archaeologist who led the underwater search for elements from Cleopatra’s life, and Zahi Hawass, who leads the expedition to find Cleopatra’s tomb.  The exhibit included almost all of the treasures found during Goddio’s searches – sculptures, jewelry, coins, etc. It was also incredibly informative, with maps of the way Egypt looked in Cleopatra’s time and short videos explaining myths, history and the dives. I was especially pleased that each exhibit-goer was given a headset, free of an additional charge. Throughout the exhibit, there were numbers and a special recording to listen to at each designated spot. The recordings were short but rather explanatory. Apparently, my knowledge of Cleopatra was quite limited. Now, I’m happy to say, it’s quite extensive. Her story is intriguing. She was 17 years old when she took over the rule of a tumultuous Egypt. She wooed two Roman big shots, Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, ruling Egypt until its fall at the hands of Octavius. Rather than suffer at his hands, Cleopatra took her own life. There the real mystery begins, as the exact whereabouts of her tomb remain unknown. Cleopatra was one of the first women in power in history! I don’t want to give away too many details about the exhibit because I encourage all of you to visit the Franklin Institute and check out the exhibit if you find yourself in the Philadelphia area. As of right now, no other cities are slated to welcome the exhibit. It runs at the Institute into January. Of course, there is a lot to see and do at the Franklin Institute besides “Cleopatra.” If you visit, be sure to check out the walk-through human heart, the IMAX Theater and a lot more interesting exhibits! — Kim Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive