Cleopatra VII
Queen of Egypt
Reign	51 BC–12 August 30 BC Ptolemy XIII (51 BC–47 BC) Ptolemy XIV (47 BC–44 BC) Caesarion (44 BC–30 BC)
Born	January 69 BC
Birthplace	Alexandria
Died	12 August 30 BC
Place of death	Alexandria
Predecessor	Ptolemy XII
Successor	None (Roman province)
Consort	Ptolemy XIII Julius Caesar Mark Antony
Dynasty	Ptolemaic
Father	Ptolemy XII
Mother	Cleopatra V of Egypt
Children	Caesarion, Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene II, Ptolemy Philadelphus

Cleopatra VII Philopator (in Greek, Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ; January 69 BC – 30 BC) was a Hellenistic ruler of Egypt, originally sharing power with her father Ptolemy XII and later with her brothers/husbands Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV; eventually gaining sole rule of Egypt. The Ptolemaic dynasty (sometimes also known as the Lagids, from the name of Ptolemy I's father Lagus) was a Hellenistic Macedonian royal family Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC– Ptolemy XIV ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος, Ptolemaĩos, who lived 60 BC/59 BC–44 BC and reigned 47 BC–44 BC was a son of Ptolemy XII of Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Ægyptus redirects here See Egypt Province for the province of the Ottoman Empire Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC– Marcus Antonius (in Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N ( c January 14 83 BC&ndash August 1, 30 BC known in English as Mark The Ptolemaic dynasty (sometimes also known as the Lagids, from the name of Ptolemy I's father Lagus) was a Hellenistic Macedonian royal family Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Cleopatra V Tryphaena of Egypt ( Greek: Κλεοπάτρα, born c Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ Alexander Helios ( Greek: ο Αλέξανδρος Ήλιος, 25 December 40 BC - between 29 BC - 25 BC was a Ptolemaic prince and was the eldest Cleopatra Selene II ( Greek: η Κλεοπάτρα Σελήνη, 25 December 40 BC - 6 AD) also known as Cleopatra VIII of Egypt Ptolemy Philadelphus (ο Πτολεμαίος Φιλάδελφος August/September 36 BC - 29 BC was a Ptolemaic Prince and was the youngest child of Greek Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly This article focuses on the cultural aspects of the Hellenistic age for the historical aspects see Hellenistic period. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC– Ptolemy XIV ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος, Ptolemaĩos, who lived 60 BC/59 BC–44 BC and reigned 47 BC–44 BC was a son of Ptolemy XII of As Pharaoh, she consummated a liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne, and, after Caesar's assassination, aligned with Mark Antony, with whom she produced twins. Pharaoh is the title given in modern parlance to the ancient Egyptian kings of all periods Marcus Antonius (in Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N ( c January 14 83 BC&ndash August 1, 30 BC known in English as Mark In all, Cleopatra had four children, one by Caesar (Caesarion) and three by Antony (Cleopatra Selene II, Alexander Helios, and Ptolemy Philadelphus). Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ Cleopatra Selene II ( Greek: η Κλεοπάτρα Σελήνη, 25 December 40 BC - 6 AD) also known as Cleopatra VIII of Egypt Alexander Helios ( Greek: ο Αλέξανδρος Ήλιος, 25 December 40 BC - between 29 BC - 25 BC was a Ptolemaic prince and was the eldest Ptolemy Philadelphus (ο Πτολεμαίος Φιλάδελφος August/September 36 BC - 29 BC was a Ptolemaic Prince and was the youngest child of Greek Her unions with her brothers produced no children. It is possible that they were never consummated; in any case, they were not close. Her reign marks the end of the Hellenistic Era and the beginning of the Roman Era in the eastern Mediterranean. This article focuses on the historical aspects of the Hellenistic age for the cultural aspects see Hellenistic civilisation. The Roman Era is a period in Western history when Ancient Rome was the centre of power of the world around the Mediterranean Sea, where Latin was the She was the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt (her son by Julius Caesar, Caesarion, ruled in name only before Augustus had him executed). Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was

Though she bore the ancient Egyptian title Pharaoh, her primary language was Greek; for several centuries preceding her rule, Egyptian kings had been of Greek (i. e. Hellenistic) origin rather than Egyptian origin. This article focuses on the cultural aspects of the Hellenistic age for the historical aspects see Hellenistic period. The establishment of a Greek-speaking aristocracy in Egypt had come with Alexander the Great nearly 300 years before. Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Cleopatra is reputed to have been the first member of her family in their 300-year reign in Egypt to have learned the Egyptian language. Egyptian is an Afro-Asiatic language most closely related to the Berber, Semitic, Somali and Beja languages Cleopatra adopted common Egyptian beliefs and deities. Her patron goddess was Isis, and thus during her reign, it was believed that she was the re-incarnation and embodiment of the goddess of wisdom. Isis is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs and is celebrated in their mythology as the ideal mother and wife patron of nature and magic friend of slaves sinners

After Antony and Cleopatra were defeated at Actium by their rival and Caesar's legal heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian (who later became the first Roman Emperor, Augustus), Cleopatra committed suicide, the traditional date being 12 August 30 BC,^[1] allegedly by means of an asp bite. The Battle of Actium was the decisive engagement in the Final War of the Roman Republic between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Asp is the modern Anglicization of the word Aspis which in Antiquity referred to any one of several Venomous snake species found in the Nile

To this day she remains popular in Western culture. Her legacy survives in numerous works of art and the many dramatizations of her story in literature, (e. g. Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra and Bernard Shaw's Caesar & Cleopatra) film, and television. William Shakespeare ( baptised Antony and Cleopatra is a Tragedy by William Shakespeare. It was first printed in the First Folio of 1623 Bernard Shaw may refer to George Bernard Shaw, the celebrated Irish playwright Bernard Shaw (footballer, English footballer of the (e. g. Elizabeth Taylor's famous depiction in Cleopatra, and the BBC/HBO co-production Rome)

In most depictions, Cleopatra is put forward as a great beauty and her successive conquests of the world's most powerful men is taken to be proof of her aesthetic and sexual appeal. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress Cleopatra is a 1963 Film directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Rome is a BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy -nominated historical drama Television series co-created by John Milius Whether or not she would have been considered beautiful by current standards is unknown, but clearly she was appealing by the standards of her time. In his Pensées, philosopher Blaise Pascal contends that Cleopatra's classically beautiful profile changed world history: "Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed. The Pensées (literally "thoughts" represented a defense of the Christian religion by Blaise Pascal, the renowned 17th century philosopher Blaise Pascal (blɛz paskal (June 19 1623 &ndash August 19 1662 was a French Mathematician, Physicist, and religious Philosopher " ^[2]

Contents 1 Accession to the throne 2 Cleopatra and Julius Caesar 2.1 Assassination of Pompey 2.2 Caesar and Caesarion 3 Cleopatra and Mark Antony 3.1 Death 4 Cultural depictions of Cleopatra VII 5 Ancestry 6 References 7 Footnotes 8 External links 8.1 General 8.2 Paintings of Cleopatra

Accession to the throne

Cleopatra's mother was Cleopatra V of Egypt — who co-ruled Egypt with another daughter, Berenice IV, for a year before her death—yet Cleopatra, borne of the union with Ptolemy XII Auletes, was a direct descendant of Alexander the Great's general, Ptolemy I Soter, son of Arsinoe and Lacus, both of Macedon. Cleopatra V Tryphaena of Egypt ( Greek: Κλεοπάτρα, born c Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' For the astronomer see Ptolemy; for others named "Ptolemy" or "Ptolemaeus" see Ptolemy (disambiguation. Macedon or Macedonia ( Greek grc Μακεδονία grc-Latn Makedonía) was the name of a kingdom centered in the northern-most

Centralization of power and corruption led to uprising in and loss of Cyprus and of Cyrenaica, making Ptolemy's reign one of the most calamitous of the dynasty. A centralized government is the Form of government in which power is concentrated in a central authority to which Local governments are subject Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía When Ptolemy made a journey to Rome with Cleopatra, Tryphaena seized the Crown of Egypt. Shortly after arrangements for Roman assistance in Egypt, Ptolemy's followers assassinated Tryphaena and killed her guard. Berenice's guards in turn killed those followers.

In 58 BC Cleopatra's older sister, Berenice IV seized power from her father. Berenice IV ( Greek: Βερενίκη) born in Alexandria, Egypt in 77 BC, died in Alexandria 55 BC, was the daughter of Ptolemy With the assistance of the Roman governor of Syria, Aulus Gabinius, Ptolemy XII overturned his eldest daughter in 55 BC and had her executed. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Aulus Gabinius, Roman statesman and general and supporter of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was a prominent figure in the later days of the Roman Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Capital punishment, the death penalty or execution, is the Killing of a person by judicial process as Punishment. Cleopatra's other older sister Tryphaena took over shortly after that. Cleopatra VI Tryphaena ( Greek: Κλεοπάτρα Τρύφαινα) was an Egyptian Ptolemaic queen She was killed as well, which left Cleopatra with her husband and younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, joint heirs to the throne. Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC–

Ptolemy XII died in March 51 BC, making the 17-year-old Cleopatra and her brother, the 12-year-old Ptolemy XIII joint monarchs. Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC– The first three years of their reign were difficult, due to economic difficulties, famine, deficient floods of the Nile, and political conflicts. The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River Although Cleopatra was married to her young brother, she quickly showed indications that she had no intentions of sharing power with him.

In August 51 BC, relations between the sovereigns completely broke down. Cleopatra dropped Ptolemy's name from official documents and her face appeared alone on coins, which went against Ptolemaic tradition of female rulers being subordinate to male co-rulers. This resulted in a cabal of courtiers, led by the eunuch Pothinus, removing Cleopatra from power and making Ptolemy sole ruler in circa 48 BC (or possibly earlier, as a decree exists from 51 BC with Ptolemy's name alone). A eunuch (ˈjuːnək is a Castrated man in particular one castrated early enough to have major hormonal consequences the term usually refers to those castrated in order to Pothinus (early 1st century BC to 48 or 47 BC a Eunuch, was Regent for Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Ancient She tried to raise a rebellion around Pelusium, but she was soon forced to flee Egypt with her only surviving sister, Arsinoë. Pelusium was a city in the eastern extremes of Egypt 's Nile Delta, 30 km to the southeast of the modern Port Said. Arsinoe IV (ca 68/67 – 41 BC was the youngest daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes sister of Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra VII, and one of the last rulers ^[3]

Cleopatra and Julius Caesar

Assassination of Pompey

While Cleopatra was in exile, Pompey became embroiled in the Roman civil war. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, commonly known as Pompey /'pɑmpi/ Pompey the Great or Pompey the Triumvir ( Classical Latin abbreviation The Roman civil war of 49 BC sometimes called Caesar's Civil War, is one of the last conflicts within the Roman Republic. In the autumn of 48 BC, Pompey fled from the forces of Julius Caesar to Alexandria, seeking sanctuary. Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Ptolemy, only fifteen years old at that time, had set up a throne for himself on the harbour from where he watched as on September 28 48 BC Pompey was murdered by one of his former officers, now in Ptolemaic service. Events 48 BC - Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King Ptolemy of Egypt after landing in Egypt. He was beheaded in front of his wife and children, who were on the ship from which he had just disembarked. Ptolemy is thought to have ordered the death as a way of pleasing Julius Caesar and thus become an ally of Rome, to which Egypt was in debt. This was a catastrophic miscalculation on Ptolemy's part. When Caesar arrived in Egypt two days later, Ptolemy presented him with Pompey's severed head. Caesar was enraged. This was probably due to the fact that, although he was Caesar's political enemy, Pompey was a Consul of Rome and the widower of Caesar's only legitimate daughter, Julia (who died in childbirth with their son). This is a list of Roman consuls Key Abbreviations Imp = Imperator suff WIDOW is a full-length Album recorded by British rock band Ritual released in 1983 Julia Caesaris ( Classical Latin: IVLIA•CAESARIS 83 or 82 BC-54 BC was the daughter of Gaius '''Julius Caesar''' the dictator, by his Caesar seized the Egyptian capital and imposed himself as arbiter between the rival claims of Ptolemy and Cleopatra.

Caesar and Caesarion

Eager to take advantage of Julius Caesar's anger with Ptolemy, Queen Cleopatra returned to the palace rolled into a Persian carpet and had it presented to Caesar by her servants: when it was unrolled, Cleopatra tumbled out. The Persian carpet ( Pahlavi bōb Persian farš فرش meaning "to spread" and qāli) is an essential part of It is believed that Caesar was charmed by the gesture, and she became his mistress. Nine months after their first meeting, Cleopatra gave birth to their baby. It was at this point that Caesar abandoned his plans to annex Egypt, instead backing Cleopatra's claim to the throne. After a short civil war, Ptolemy XIII was drowned in the Nile and Caesar restored Cleopatra to her throne, with another younger brother Ptolemy XIV as new co-ruler. The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River Ptolemy XIV ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος, Ptolemaĩos, who lived 60 BC/59 BC–44 BC and reigned 47 BC–44 BC was a son of Ptolemy XII of

Despite the almost thirty year age difference, Cleopatra and Caesar became lovers during his stay in Egypt between 48 BC and 47 BC. They met when they were 21 (Cleopatra) and 50 (Caesar). On 23 June 47 BC Cleopatra gave birth to a child, Ptolemy Caesar (nicknamed "Caesarion" which means "little Caesar"). Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish Year 47 BC was a year of the pre-Julian calendar. Events By place Rome Consuls Quintus Fufius Calenus, Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. Cleopatra claimed Caesar was the father and wished him to name the boy his heir, but Caesar refused, choosing his grand-nephew Octavian instead. Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was Caesarion was the intended inheritor of Egypt and Rome, uniting the East and the West.

Cleopatra and Caesarion visited Rome between 47 BC and 44 BC and were probably present when Caesar was assassinated on 15 March, 44 BC. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Before or just after the assassination she returned to Egypt. When Ptolemy XIV died due to deteriorating health, Cleopatra made Caesarion her co-regent and successor. Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ To safeguard herself and Caesarion she also had her sister Arsinoe killed, a common practice of the times.

Cleopatra and Mark Antony

In 42 BC, Mark Antony, one of the triumvirs who ruled Rome in the power vacuum following Caesar's death, summoned Cleopatra to meet him in Tarsus to answer questions about her loyalty. Marcus Antonius (in Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N ( c January 14 83 BC&ndash August 1, 30 BC known in English as Mark See also the Second Triumvirate (Argentina which held power in 1812 Tarsus ( Greek Ταρσός is a City, and a large district in Mersin Province, Turkey, from the city of Mersin and near (40 Cleopatra arrived in great state, and so charmed Antony that he chose to spend the winter of 41 BC–40 BC with her in Alexandria. On 25 December 40 BC she gave birth to two children Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Alexander Helios ( Greek: ο Αλέξανδρος Ήλιος, 25 December 40 BC - between 29 BC - 25 BC was a Ptolemaic prince and was the eldest Cleopatra Selene II ( Greek: η Κλεοπάτρα Σελήνη, 25 December 40 BC - 6 AD) also known as Cleopatra VIII of Egypt

Four years later in 37 BC, Antony visited Alexandria again en route to make war with the Parthians. Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran He renewed his relationship with Cleopatra, and from this point on Alexandria would be his home. He married Cleopatra according to the Egyptian rite (a letter quoted in Suetonius suggests this), although he was at the time married to Octavia Minor, sister of his fellow triumvir Octavian. Octavia Minor (69 - 11 BC also known as Octavia the Younger or simply Octavia, was the sister of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus (known also Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was He and Cleopatra had another child, Ptolemy Philadelphus. Ptolemy Philadelphus (ο Πτολεμαίος Φιλάδελφος August/September 36 BC - 29 BC was a Ptolemaic Prince and was the youngest child of Greek

At the Donations of Alexandria in late 34 BC, following Antony's conquest of Armenia, Cleopatra and Caesarion were crowned co-rulers of Egypt and Cyprus; Alexander Helios was crowned ruler of Armenia, Media, and Parthia; Cleopatra Selene II was crowned ruler of Cyrenaica and Libya; and Ptolemy Philadelphus was crowned ruler of Phoenicia, Syria, and Cilicia. The Donations of Alexandria (Autumn 34 BC) were a political statement by Mark Antony in which he distributed lands held by Rome and Parthia The Kingdom of Armenia (or Greater Armenia) was an independent kingdom from 190 BC to AD 387 and a client state of the Roman and Persian empires until This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía Alexander Helios ( Greek: ο Αλέξανδρος Ήλιος, 25 December 40 BC - between 29 BC - 25 BC was a Ptolemaic prince and was the eldest The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran. Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran Libya ( ليبيا ar-Latn Lībiyā; Libyan vernacular: Lībya; Amazigh:) officially the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Phoenicia ( Phoenician: Phoenician nunsvg|12px|נ]]Phoenician nun Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Geography Cilicia extended along the Aegean coast east from Pamphylia, to Mount Amanus ( Gavurdağı Mount) which separated it from Syria Cleopatra also took the title of Queen of Kings. ^[4] Cleopatra "was planning a war of revenge that was to array all the East against Rome, establish herself as empress of the world at Rome and inaugurate a new universal kingdom. "^[5]

Antony's behavior was considered outrageous by the Romans, and Octavian convinced the Senate to levy war against Egypt. In 31 BC Antony's forces faced the Romans in a naval action off the coast of Actium. The Battle of Actium was the decisive engagement in the Final War of the Roman Republic between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony Cleopatra was present with a fleet of her own. Popular legend states that when she saw that Antony's poorly equipped and manned ships were losing to the Romans' superior vessels, she took flight and that Antony abandoned the battle to follow her, but no contemporary evidence states this was the case.

Following the Battle of Actium, Octavian invaded Egypt. The Battle of Actium was the decisive engagement in the Final War of the Roman Republic between the forces of Octavian and the combined forces of Mark Antony As he approached Alexandria, Antony's armies deserted to Octavian on August 12 30 BC. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid

There are a number of unverifiable but very famous stories about Cleopatra, of which one of the best known is that, at one of the lavish dinners she shared with Antony, she playfully bet him that she could spend ten million sesterces on a dinner. The sestertius, or sesterce, was an ancient Roman Coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small Silver, and rare coin issued He accepted the bet. The next night, she had a conventional, unspectacular meal served; he was ridiculing this, when she ordered the second course — only a cup of strong vinegar. She then removed one of her priceless pearl earrings, dropped it into the vinegar, allowed it to dissolve, and drank the mixture. The earliest report of this story comes from Pliny the Elder and dates to about 100 years after the banquet described would have happened. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author The calcium carbonate in pearls does dissolve in vinegar, but slowly unless the pearl is first crushed. Calcium carbonate is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula Ca[[Carbon C]] O 3 ^[6]

Death

The ancient sources, particularly the Roman ones, are in general agreement that Cleopatra poisoned herself by inducing an asp to bite her. The Egyptian cobra ( Naja haje) commonly confused with the Snouted cobra ( Naja annulifera) is a type of venomous Snake native The oldest source is Strabo, who was alive at the time of the event, and might even have been in Alexandria. Strabo ( Greek: Στράβων 63/64 BC – ca AD 24 was a Greek historian, geographer and philosopher. He says that there are two stories: that she applied a toxic ointment, or that she was bitten by an asp. ^[7] Several Roman poets, writing within ten years of the event, all mention bites by two asps,^[8][9][10] as does Florus, a historian, some 150 years later. Florus, Roman Historian, lived in the time of Trajan and Hadrian. ^[11] Velleius, sixty years after the event, also refers to an asp. This article is about the Roman Historian; for the Rove beetle genus see Velleius Marcus Velleius Paterculus ^[12]

Plutarch, writing about 130 years after the event, provides the main source of Cleopatra's death. Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus ( Greek: Μέστριος Πλούταρχος c He states that she was found dead, her handmaiden Iras dying at her feet, and another handmaiden, Charmion, adjusting her crown before she herself falls. ^[13] He then goes on to state that an asp was concealed in a basket of figs that was brought to her by a rustic, and finding it after eating a few figs, she holds out her arm for it to bite. Others stories state that it was hidden in a vase, and that she poked it with a spindle until it got angry enough to bite her on the arm. Finally, he eventually writes, in Octavian's triumphal march back in Rome, an effigy of Cleopatra that has an asp clinging to it is part of the parade. ^[14]

Suetonius, writing about the same time as Plutarch, also says Cleopatra died from an asp bite. Guido Cagnacci ( January 19 1601 &ndash 1663 was an Italian painter of the late- Baroque period belonging to the Forlì painting school Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, commonly known as Suetonius (ca 69/75 &ndash after 130 was an equestrian and a historian during the Roman Empire. ^[15]

Shakespeare gave us the final part of the image that has come down to us, Cleopatra clutching the snake to her breast. ^[16] Before him, it was generally agreed that she was bitten on the arm. ^[17][18][19]

Plutarch tells us of the death of Antony. When his armies desert him and join with Octavian, he cries out that Cleopatra has betrayed him. She, fearing his wrath, locks herself in her monument with only her two handmaidens and sends messengers to Antony that she is dead. Believing them, Antony stabs himself in the belly with his sword, and lies on his couch to die. Instead, the blood flow stops, and he begs any and all to finish him off.

Another messenger comes from Cleopatra with instructions to bear him to her, and he, rejoicing that Cleopatra is still alive, consents. She won't open the door, but tosses ropes out of a window. After Antony is securely trussed up, she and her handmaidens haul him up into the monument. This nearly finishes him off. After dragging him in through the window, they lay him on a couch. Cleopatra tears off her clothes and covers him with them. She raves and cries, beats her breasts and engages in self-mutilation. Antony tells her to calm down, asks for a glass of wine, and dies upon finishing it. ^[20]

Cleopatra's son by Caesar, Caesarion, was proclaimed pharaoh by the Egyptians, but Octavian had already won. Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ Caesarion was captured and executed, his fate reportedly sealed by Octavian's famous phrase: "Two Caesars are one too many. " This ended not just the Hellenistic line of Egyptian pharaohs, but the line of all Egyptian pharaohs. The three children of Cleopatra and Antony were spared and taken back to Rome where they were taken care of by Antony's wife, Octavia Minor. Octavia Minor (69 - 11 BC also known as Octavia the Younger or simply Octavia, was the sister of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus (known also The daughter, Cleopatra Selene, was married by arrangements by Octavian to Juba II of Mauretania. Cleopatra Selene II ( Greek: η Κλεοπάτρα Σελήνη, 25 December 40 BC - 6 AD) also known as Cleopatra VIII of Egypt Juba II ( Iuba in Latin Ιóβας (Ιóβα or Ιουβας in Greek) or Juba II of Numidia (reigned 25 BC - 23 AD was a king

Cultural depictions of Cleopatra VII

Main article: Cultural depictions of Cleopatra VII

Ancestry

The high degree of inbreeding among the Ptolemies can be seen from the ancestry of Cleopatra VII. Cleopatra VII 's life has fascinated scores of writers and artists through the centuries As the ahnentafel below shows, she only had four great-grandparents and six (out of a possible 16) great-great-grandparents (and, worse, four of those six were descended from the other two!). An Ahnentafel (or Ahnenreihe) is a Genealogical numbering system that allows one to list a person's ancestors in a particular order

This family tree further illustrates the point. Cleopatra III ( Greek: Κλεοπάτρα, 161&ndash101 BC was queen of Egypt 142&ndash101 BC

References

• Hegesippus, Historiae i. 29-32
• Macrobius, Saturnalia iii. 17. 14-18
• Lucan, Bellum civile ix. 909-911, x
• Suetonius, De vita Caesarum Iul i. 35. 52, ii. 17
• Pliny, Naturalis historia vii. 2. 14, ix. 58. 119-121, xxi. 9. 12
• Orosius, Historiae adversus paganos vi. 16. 1-2, 19. 4-18

Footnotes

External links

General

• The Queen Cleopatra at the Encyclopedia channel (230 biographical films about historical figures).
• Cleopatra on the Web (Some 580 resources, including ancient and modern pictures).
• Cleopatra VII Philopator (ancient sources).
• Cleopatra VII (VI) at LacusCurtius (Chapter XIII of E.  R.  Bevan's House of Ptolemy, 1923).
• Cleopatra, a Victorian children's book by Jacob Abbott, 1852, Project Gutenberg edition. Jacob Abbott ( November 14, 1803 &ndash October 31, 1879) was an American Writer of children's books Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to Digitize, archive and distribute Cultural works
• Genealogy of Cleopatra VII
• James Grout: Cleopatra (part of the Encyclopædia Romana).
• "Mysterious Death of Cleopatra" at the Discovery Channel
• Cleopatra VII at BBC History

Paintings of Cleopatra

• Sir Thomas Browne: Of the Picture describing the death of Cleopatra (1672)
• John Sartain: On the Antique Portrait of Cleopatra (1818)

Preceded by Ptolemy XII

Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt with Ptolemy XII, Ptolemy XIII, Ptolemy XIV, and Ptolemy XV

Succeeded by Roman province

Persondata
NAME	Philopator, Cleopatra Selene
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Cleopatra VII
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Queen of Egypt
DATE OF BIRTH	January, 69 BC
PLACE OF BIRTH	Alexandria
DATE OF DEATH	12 August 30 BC
PLACE OF DEATH	Alexandria

Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved The Ptolemaic dynasty (sometimes also known as the Lagids, from the name of Ptolemy I's father Lagus) was a Hellenistic Macedonian royal family Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos ( Ptolemaĩos Néos Diónusos Theós Philopátōr Theós Philádelphos) New Dionysus, God Beloved Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Θεός Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Theós Philopátōr, lived 62 BC/61 BC– Ptolemy XIV ( Greek: Πτολεμαῖος, Ptolemaĩos, who lived 60 BC/59 BC–44 BC and reigned 47 BC–44 BC was a son of Ptolemy XII of Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed Caesarion (little Caesar Greek: Πτολεμαῖος ΙΕʹ Φιλοπάτωρ Φιλομήτωρ Καῖσαρ Ægyptus redirects here See Egypt Province for the province of the Ottoman Empire The Ptolemaic dynasty (sometimes also known as the Lagids, from the name of Ptolemy I's father Lagus) was a Hellenistic Macedonian royal family Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Alexandria ( Egyptian Arabic: اسكندريه Eskendereyya; Standard Arabic: ar الإسكندرية Al-Iskandariyya; Ἀλεξάνδρεια

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic