Cleopatra queen of ancient Egypt...
one of the most fascinating and beautiful women in the history of the world. Known for her intelligence, charm, wit and ambition, she had relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony - two of the most important Roman rulers of their time.
Born in 69 BC she became queen of Egypt by 51 BC. She married her 10 year old brother Ptolemy XIII, who was her co-ruler. Marriage between brother and sister quite the norm in the Egyptian royal family in those days! When Egypt suffered from a famine in 51-49 BC, Ptolemy's guardians seized power and drove Cleopatra from the throne. When Julius Caesar arrived in Alexandria, the two fell in love.
Julius Caesar had now defeated Cleopatra's opponents and Ptolemy drowned trying to escape. She was returned to the throne with another brother, Ptolemy XIV. She had a son named Ptolemy Caesar, who was known as Caesarion. She claimed he was the son of Julius Caesar.
Cleopatra went to Rome and after Julius Caesar was assassinated, Cleopatra returned to Egypt, where she had her brother murdered so that Caesarion could rule with her as Ptolemy XV.
Mark Antony invited Cleopatra to Tarsus in Asia Minor. The two fell in love and she gave birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene.
Even though Antony loved Cleopatra and their children, he left her to marry Octavia, the sister of his co-ruler Octavian.
Antony soon left Octavia and returned to Cleopatra and they married. Cleopatra had another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos and Antony appointed Cleopatra the ruler of Egypt, Cyprus, Crete, and Syria.
Octavian and Antony went to war for control of the Roman Empire. But the forces of Antony and Cleopatra lost the Battle of Actium off the coast of Greece and they returned to Egypt.
By 30 BC Octavian had reached Egypt in pursuit of Antony and Cleopatra. After his arrival, Cleopatra spread a report that she had committed suicide. Antony heard the report and stabbed himself out of grief. Before he died he learned that Cleopatra was still alive. His followers took him to Cleopatra and he died in her arms.
12 August 30 BC Cleopatra tried to make peace with Octavian. But when her attempts failed she took her life by placing an asp, a poisonous snake, on her chest.
