Cleopatra

Cleopatra Part I(1963)

Historical Background of Egypt

Around this period, Egypt is the last of the three kingdoms left by Alexander that is still free from Rome
Egypt is the kingdom of the Ptolemies. The monarchy practiced exclusive incest where brother and sister always married and ruled jointly.
The Ptolemies are Greek not Egyptian, and they ran their court in Greek, dressed in Greek clothing, and behaved like Greeks. In fact, Cleopatra was the first Ptolemy to actually learn how to speak native Egyptian. The movie, however, makes them seem more Egyptian than Greek.
Although the Ptolemies were Greek, they were worshipped as gods as tradition in Egypt for 3,000 years.
Egypt offers wheat and wealth to Rome in exchange for protection and goodwill.

Historical Background of Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII was born in 69 BCE
When she was 12, her sister Berence usurped the throne
She was 18 when she ascended the throne and married her ten year old brother Ptolemy XIII
She was extremely well educated and was said to have spoken seven languages fluently. She was an extremely good diplomat, and was able to conduct court without translators.
in 50-49, a famine plagued Egypt due to many problems left over by her father
in 48, she was forced to flee Alexandria because of the alliance of her sister Arsinoe and brother/husband Ptolemy XIII.

Historical Background of Caesar

There are thousands of sites devoted to this guy, so I won't waste both our times by detailing his life.
His daughter Julia was married to Pompey. Despite of huge age difference, as the movie indicated, this marriage apparently worked out well. However, Julia died in childbirth. Caesar is said to have cried at the sight of Pompey's head, remembering his daughter . . .

Interesting Tidbit

When Cleopatra and Caesar are arguing in the tomb of Alexander the Great notice there is a large painting behind them. The painting depicts Alexander defeating Darius, King of Persia. This is the Alexander mosaic which is found in a house in Pompey. However it was believed to be of Hellenistic origins, and thus might of been something that decorated the tomb of Alexander. Casear liked to associate himself with Alexander. Just some food for thought . . .