Notes
Who was Cleopatra?
Cleopatra VII was born in 69 B.C, daughter of Ptolemy XII, the Egyptian throne given to her at 18 years and her younger brother at 10 years. She ruled ancient Egypt as co regent, firstly with her brother and then with her son for almost three decades. Cleopatra was the last of the Macedonian rulers founded by Ptolemy. She was well educated and clever; Cleopatra could speak various languages and served as the dominant ruler in all three of her co-regencies. Her romantic relationships and military alliances with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, as well as her striking beauty and powers of seduction, she earned an enduring place in history and popular myth.
For three years, Cleopatra ruled alone until her brother’s advisors led by Pothinus began conspiring against her, they removed her from power and was forced into exile in Syria. Cleopatra would not give up her throne easily and she began amassing an army on Egypt’s border. Cleopatra developed a plan to meet Caesar on her own terms seeking a political alliance and a return to the throne. Cleopatra wrapped herself inside a rolled rug which was smuggled into Alexandria and delivered to Caesar. Once the rug was opened, she rolled out and immediately charmed him. She was known for her striking beauty and that she was in the prime of her youth. “She did not only possess striking beauty but had the most charming voice and could make herself agreeable to everyone. She had the power to seduce everyone, even a love-sated man already past his prime” (Cassius, AD 155 – 235). Not only did Cleopatra become his lover but most importantly linked herself with the Roman Empire. He returned Cleopatra to the throne, and she then ruled with her youngest brother Ptolemy XIV who was only 11 years of age. Around the same time she had become pregnant by Caesar and gave birth to a son Caesarion or little Caesar.
Around 46-45 BC, Cleopatra travelled with Ptolemy XIV and Caesarion to Rome to visit
Cleopatra VII was born in 69 B.C, daughter of Ptolemy XII, the Egyptian throne given to her at 18 years and her younger brother at 10 years. She ruled ancient Egypt as co regent, firstly with her brother and then with her son for almost three decades. Cleopatra was the last of the Macedonian rulers founded by Ptolemy. She was well educated and clever; Cleopatra could speak various languages and served as the dominant ruler in all three of her co-regencies. Her romantic relationships and military alliances with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, as well as her striking beauty and powers of seduction, she earned an enduring place in history and popular myth.
For three years, Cleopatra ruled alone until her brother’s advisors led by Pothinus began conspiring against her, they removed her from power and was forced into exile in Syria. Cleopatra would not give up her throne easily and she began amassing an army on Egypt’s border. Cleopatra developed a plan to meet Caesar on her own terms seeking a political alliance and a return to the throne. Cleopatra wrapped herself inside a rolled rug which was smuggled into Alexandria and delivered to Caesar. Once the rug was opened, she rolled out and immediately charmed him. She was known for her striking beauty and that she was in the prime of her youth. “She did not only possess striking beauty but had the most charming voice and could make herself agreeable to everyone. She had the power to seduce everyone, even a love-sated man already past his prime” (Cassius, AD 155 – 235). Not only did Cleopatra become his lover but most importantly linked herself with the Roman Empire. He returned Cleopatra to the throne, and she then ruled with her youngest brother Ptolemy XIV who was only 11 years of age. Around the same time she had become pregnant by Caesar and gave birth to a son Caesarion or little Caesar.
Around 46-45 BC, Cleopatra travelled with Ptolemy XIV and Caesarion to Rome to visit