Queen Cleopatra of Egypt is the most well known of all the ancient egyptian queens. Cleopatra was born in Alexandria in 69 B.C.during the reign of the Ptolemy family to Ptolemy XII. Cleopatra appears to have been a popular name in the family, as her mother bore the name as well as an older sister, making the new daughterCleopatra the Seventh, although she is rarely referred to as such. Cleopatra and her family were not Egyptian, but ratherMacedonian, descended through a general of Alexander the Great. Cleopatra would become the first ruler of her family who could actually speak the Egyptian language.
In keeping with ancient Egyptian tradition, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt married her then 12 year old brother. The marriage was not truly legitimate, however and considering the young age of her new husband and co-inheritor of the throne, Cleopatra rule Egypt independently and as she wished. This lasted for only three short years before Cleopatra received the same fate as her father and was exiled, along with another younger sister. Her 15 year old brother and husband remained to rule Egypt. Cleopatra escaped to Syria, however she did not intend to give up without a fight.
The events that soon followed are quite legendary. Cleopatra's brother, Ptolemy, became involved with a bitterwar between Julius Caesar, and a former friend, Pompey. Ptolemy took sides with Caesar and had Pompey killed, hoping to curry favor with the Roman leader. The plan backfired on him. Julius Caesar was so enraged by the murder of Pompey; he immediately took control of the Egyptian palace and ordered Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and Ptolemy to present themselves to him.
The history of Cleopatra is one that has been the subject of novels and movies and is filled with deception, intrigue and romance. The historical biography of Cleopatra suggests she obtained the throne of Egypt through some rather violent means. When her father was briefly exiled following a rebellion, an older sister took the throne. Following their father's return and reclaim of the throne, the sister was put to death. The second of the three women in the family to carry the same name, Cleopatra VI, died around the same time as well; although the cause remains a mystery. This left Cleopatra the Seventh as the oldest child in her family, with a brother who was several years younger. About four years later, their father died and Cleopatra took control of the throne. She was only about 17 years old at the time.
Queen Cleopatra had been encamped just on the other side of the Egyptian and Syrian border. When she received the news that she was to enter Egypt and report to Caesar, she astutely realized she would be easy prey for supporters of her brother's regime. In a scene that has been replayed in countless movies, Cleopatra allowed herself to besmuggled into Egypt in a rug.
The affair between Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and Caesar is thought to have begun when she was presented to him, wrapped in the rug. For more than 3 years the couple enjoyed a scandalous affair and Cleopatra gave birth to a son. Following the birth of the child, she joined Julius Caesar in Rome, but quickly departed when he was killed, fearing for her own life.
Absolute chaos ensued in the Roman Empire following the assassination. One of the three men poised to take the throne of Rome, Mark Anthony ordered Cleopatra back to Rome for questioning. Once again displaying her political savvy and intelligence, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt made plans to seduce Mark Anthony. She donned the garb of Venus, the Goddess of Love and was completely successful in her attempt to seduce her would be inquisitor. Of all the costumes Egyptian Cleopatra has been portrayed in, this is the most famous. The full costume of Cleopatra, dressed as Venus, is vividly remembered when Elizabeth Taylor wore a reproduction in her famous portrayal of the queen. The film was so successful in memorializing the queen and her seductive costume, that historical Cleopatra costumes have remained popular ever since.
History of Cleopatra VII: Cleopatra and Caesar
Around the same time as Cleopatra’s exile from Egypt, Pompey came to Alexandria seeking sanctuary from Julius Caesar. Ptolemy ordered that Pompey be beheaded and his head was pickled and stored in a jar. This was done in order to please Caesar because Egypt was under a lot of debt to Rome.
Two days later when Caesar reached Alexandria, he was presented with Pompey’s head. Instead of making Caesar happy, this move only managed to enrage him.
When news of Caesar’s reaching Alexandria reached Cleopatra, she hid herself in a Persian carpet and it was presented to Caesar by one of her servants. When she rolled out of the carpet, Caesar was charmed.
Caesar took over the capital city and arbitrated the claims of Ptolemy and Cleopatra. He placed Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt and she became his mistress. She had one child by him Ptolemy Caesar or Caesarion. With this move, she ensured that Egypt would not be annexed to Rome. Also, since Caesar had no sons, she ensured that Caesarion would eventually become heir to not only the throne of Egypt but also of Rome.
Between 47 BC and 44 BC she visited Caesar at Rome. Caesar was assassinated on the 15th of March in 44 BC. And Caesar had already nominated his grand-nephew Octavian as his legal heir. Disappointed, she returned to Egypt and nominated Caesarion as her co-regent and heir to the throne of Egypt.
Cleopatra History: Cleopatra and Mark Antony
In 42 BC Mark Antony visited Cleopatra so that he could question her loyalty. They met in grand style (characteristic of Cleopatra) at Tarsus. He was charmed by her beauty and spent the year with her.
In 40 BC she gave birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II. In 37 BC, Antony visited her again, while he was on his way to fight the war with the Parthians. After this, he made Alexandria his home base and even married Cleopatra according to Egyptian rites.
This was quite unfortunate for his position in Rome, because he was already married to Octavian Minor, the sister of Octavian. Mark Antony and Cleopatra had another child, Ptolemy Philadelphus.
Because of the outrageousness of Antony’s behavior, Octavian convinced the Roman Senate to wage war on Egypt. The battle at Actium took place in 31 BC. It was a naval war and Antony’s troops were not experienced to handle this type of battle as they were more used to fighting on land. It is said that when Cleopatra saw that Antony’s troops were losing the battle, she fled the scene, and seeing her go, Antony also ran away to join her.
After this battle, Octavian marched on Egypt. In 30 BC another battle was to have been fought, this time on land. But Mark Antony’s troops deserted him and he was rendered helpless.
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