What Kind Of Woman Was Queen Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator?

What sort of woman was Queen Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator? The Romans described her as a temptress who beguiled men left and right and who was well known for her legendary beauty. They despised her because of her relationship with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony; two of some of the most powerful and distinguished men of Rome at that time. She was widely viewed as an evil seductress who enslaved the hearts of Caesar and Antony and led Antony to betray Rome and side with her against Emperor Octavian. However, Rome’s sexualized and somewhat bastardized version of this powerful Queen who stood at the forefront of history is not completely true, but typical for the era she lived in. People who personally knew her described her as not being that beautiful,
It was not her beauty that won her a place in the history books, but her political ingenuity and her ability to make connections with those of equal standing and power as well as gaining the support of those she ruled over. Her liaisons with Caesar and Antony were opportune and advantageous for her, but also dangerous and unpredictable. Her relationship with both Caesar and Antony would eventually lead to the events that would shape the Roman Republic into an Empire, ultimately changing the course of history itself.
Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt to King Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra V Tryphaena, who were both siblings. She was one of six children born into the power-hungry Ptolemy family who had ruled Egypt for over three centuries at that point and was one of the most powerful and wealthy families of that time. Cleopatra and her siblings were all educated in Alexandria, one of the most learned cities in the ancient world. She and her three sisters were educated in the same manner as her royal brothers, a
She was well-educated and intelligent, two of some of her most powerful traits that she used to her advantage. She was wealthy and powerful, a woman who ruled over one of the greatest Kingdoms of her time and who was a skilled diplomat who knew how to showcase her personality and her affluence. She managed to make negotiations with two powerful men, also capturing their hearts as well with her striking personality. Her rule was influential and her mark on history is still fresh and relevant to this day. She knew exactly where she stood and she was not afraid to display her dominance and her authority, which was thought to be divine in that day. She personally led her own army into battle alongside her husband and even though they were defeated, it was still a gallant act that perfectly showcased her bravery and her unquestionable authority. After losing the battle, both Cleopatra and Antony knew that it was over for the both of them and so they both chose to take their own lives while watching their kingdom become a Roman province, marking the end of Egypt’s independence and autonomy. If it had not been for her alliance with either Caesar or Antony, history would have taken a very different course than it originally had. If Antony had not betrayed Rome in the