25 Facts About Cleopatra4/25/2021
Octavian, along with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, rounded out the Second Triumvirate.Cleopatra VII Cleopatra VII Biography (c.BCE30 BCE) Updated: Feb 28, 2020 Original: Feb 28, 2018 Cleopatra, who reigned as queen of Egypt during the 1st century B.C., is one of the most famous female rulers in history.Who Was Cleopatra Cleopatra VII was part of the Macedonian dynasty that took over rule of Egypt in the late 4th century B.C.
During her reign, she forged political alliances and became romantically involved with Roman military leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, until her death in 30 B.C. One of antiquitys most famous rulers, Cleopatras life inspired William Shakespeare s play Antony and Cleopatra and numerous film dramatizations, most famously a 1963 feature starring Elizabeth Taylor. Early Life and Macedonian Lineage The last ruler of the Macedonian dynasty, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was born around 69 B.C. The line of rule was established in 323 B.C., following the death of Alexander the Great. ![]() Over the next three centuries, his descendants would follow in his path. At its height, Ptolemaic Egypt was one of the worlds great powers. Little is known about Cleopatras mother, but some speculation presumes she may have been her fathers sister, Cleopatra V Tryphaena. Debate also surrounds Cleopatras ethnicity, as some suggest she may have, in part, been descended from Black Africans. Queen of Egypt In 51 B.C., Ptolemy XII died, leaving the throne to 18-year-old Cleopatra and her brother, the 10-year-old Ptolemy XIII. It is likely that the two siblings married, as was customary at the time. Over the next few years Egypt struggled to face down a number of issues, from an unhealthy economy to floods to famine. Soon after they assumed power, complications arose between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. ![]() In 48 B.C., she returned to Egypt with her military might and faced her brother at Pelusium, located on the empires eastern edge. Cleopatra and Caesar Around this same time, the civil war between military leaders Julius Caesar and Pompey was consuming Rome. Pompey eventually sought refuge in Egypt, but, on orders by Ptolemy, was killed. In pursuit of his rival, Caesar followed Pompey into Egypt, where he met and eventually fell in love with Cleopatra. In Caesar, Cleopatra now had access to enough military muscle to dethrone her brother and solidify her grip on Egypt as sole ruler. Following Caesars defeat of Ptolemys forces at the Battle of the Nile, Caesar restored Cleopatra to the throne. Cleopatra eventually followed Caesar back to Rome, but returned to Egypt in 44 B.C., following his assassination. Cleopatra and Mark Antony In 41 B.C., Marc Antony, part of the Second Triumvirate that ruled Rome following the murder of Caesar, sent for Cleopatra so that she could answer questions about her allegiance to the empires fallen leader. Cleopatra agreed to his request and made a lavish entrance into the city of Tarsus, Cicilia. Captivated by her beauty and personality, Antony plunged into a love affair with Cleopatra. Like Caesar before him, Antony was embroiled in a battle over Romes control. His rival was Caesars own great-nephew, Gaius Octavius, also known as Octavian (and later as Emperor Caesar Augustus).
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