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CLEOPATRA Cleopatra was born in Alexandria in 69 BC. Cleopatra’s father; Ptolemy XII was the pharaoh of Egypt. The family was a descendent of Ptolemy I, a previous king of Egypt. After being overthrown by his people, Ptolemy XII and his family fled to Rome. When Cleopatra’s father died in 51 BC Cleopatra was the eldest daughter and able to inherit the throne, along with her brother, Ptolemy XIII. It was this unfortunate event for her father that insured her own future of ruling Egypt. Cleopatra’s image is somewhat varied, some sources say she was stunning, and beautiful, but yet is also depicted as a long hooked nosed woman on coins taken from the time. Although she is portrayed in sources as using her charm and seduction in aiding herself to getting what she wanted. Cleopatra was involved in many extra talents, she was very charismatic, was able to speak nine different languages, and was also interested in creating her own makeup, remedies and mixes. |
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HER REIGN As per Egyptian tradition, Cleopatra was married to her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, who was only about 12 at the time. Together the ruled, but for the three years Ptolemy XIII was overshadowed by Cleopatra. In 48 BC Cleopatra was overrun by her brothers advisors and stripped of her title. She and her sister Arsinoe fled to Syria. Cleopatra was strong willed and determined; she did not let this set back get the better of her. In order to regain her throne Cleopatra assembled an army at Egypt’s border. Fearing her safety to confronting Caesar it is said that she smuggled herself inside the gates, rolled up in a large rug, which she then emerged from right before Caesar. “It is said that Caesar was bewitched by her charm, and became her lover that very night” (http://www.royalty.nu/Africa/Egypt/Cleopatra.html). There partnership influenced the Alexandrian War, Ptolemy XIII enraged by seeing Caesar and Cleopatra together, he was imprisoned. But his army, and the same advisors that had overthrown Cleopatra set siege on the palace. |
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The war continued for six months finally
concluding when Pothinus (the leader of Ptolemy’s army) and Ptolemy were both
killed. Alexandria was now Caesar’s for the taking. He gave Cleopatra back her
title of Alexandria and she then married her other brother Ptolemy XIV who was
also around 12 at the time.
Although married Cleopatra still engaged in time with Caesar. It is believed that she possibly became pregnant with her son Caesarion, on one of there short two-month cruises away. Caesarion may or may not have been Caesar’s son but he strongly resembled him and was acknowledged by Caesar as his own. It wasn’t another year until Cleopatra saw Caesar again, but he had left her with three legions to protect her. On invitation by Caesar, Cleopatra, Caesarion and Ptolemy XIV all traveled to Rome in 46 BC. Cleopatra then lived out the next two years of her life being spoiled and pampered on Caesars demand. He even created a statue of her and situated it in the Venus temple. This enraged Caesar’s people and on March the 15ht, 44 BC they overpowered him and stabbed him to death. Again fearing for her safety Cleopatra fled, on the trip home Ptolemy XIV died of unknown causes, it is believed that Cleopatra possibly poisoned him. She then gave the title of her co-regent to her son, Caesarion. Back in Rome, turmoil was unleashed due to the assassination of Caesar. The empire was eventually divided up among three men; Octavian, Marcus Lepidus and Marcus Antonious. It was in 42 BC that Cleopatra and Mark (Marcus Antonious) meet. Mark summoned her to Turkey in hopes of questioning her over possible involvement with his enemies. The way in which Cleopatra arrived has been retold in detail many times. It is said that she arrived on a barge of purple sails and silver oars. Her maids dressed as sea nymphs, herself as Venus, accompanied by boys in cupid costumes. The barge carried the aroma of lavender where ever it sailed. Cleopatra and Mark dined together that night and the next, Cleopatra used her traits of seduction to gain his affection and favor. Mark, abandoning his responsibilities stayed with Cleopatra through the winter in Alexandria. Six months after Mark’s departure, Cleopatra gave birth to twins. In between the period of four years that Cleopatra and Mark did not see each other, Mark married another woman, Octavia. It wasn’t until 37 BC, whilst on his way to invade Parthia that Mark and Cleopatra were reunited. One year later he married her and they had another child, Ptolemy Philadlphus. After a string of insulting acts against Rome’s people, Octavian finally convinced the Roman Senate to declare war against Egypt. The battle took place on the sea off the coast of Actium, Greece. Once it was clear that Mark’s army was losing, Cleopatra fled the fight. Shocked and hurt by Cleopatra’s abandonment, Mark did not speak to her for some time; he also decided to live alone. It wasn’t until Mark learnt that his army had surrendered and his allies joined forces with the other side that he returned to Cleopatra. From then on, Cleopatra spent her time experimenting with poisons, deciding which was best for a painless death. When Octavian reached Alexandria, Mark’s army abandoned him. Mark stormed back to Cleopatra only to be told that she had been killed. Overcome with sadness he went to his room and stabbed himself in the stomach. After Mark’s death, Cleopatra too wanted to take her own life. Octavian would not allow this and kept close watch of her. Eventually he found her dead on her bed, and her maids dying at the edge. Two bite marks were found on Cleopatra’s arm. It is believed that she allowed herself to be bitten by a poisonous snake. She was buried with Mark Antony. Cleopatra was the last pharaoh to ever rule Egypt. Once she died Egypt became a province of Rome. Cleopatra’s son Caesarion was murdered, and her other children sent away HER INFLUENCE Cleopatra made a great impact on the way we live, not only when she lived but even in our current time. She was and still is a huge role model for womens independence, she stood up for what she believed and wanted for her people. Cleopatra proved even in ancient times that women can do any job just as good as men. She is an extremely good image for womans rights and independence. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.royalty.nu/Africa/Egypt/Cleopatra.html http://www.touregypt.net/cleopatr.htm http://www.egyptologyonline.com/cleopatra.htm Cleopatra, Robert Green, Published in 1996 |