Cleopatra, known as the last Queen of Egypt, hailed from the Ptolemaic dynasty and was born in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father, Ptolemy XII, and her mother, Cleopatra V Tryphena, were her parental figures. In a strategic move to preserve their reign, Cleopatra married her brother, Ptolemy XIII, and together they ascended to the throne in 51 BC. Cleopatra’s reputedly remarkable beauty contributed to her allure and mystique. Unfortunately, her father’s lack of concern for the Egyptian people and his penchant for extravagant parties resulted in his unpopularity. He was regarded as a corrupt ruler who recklessly squandered the kingdom’s wealth.
With the assistance of the Romans, she managed to maintain her position of power through continuous bribery and promises of various tributes. The Romans stood by the king because he offered them easy access to the vast wealth and gold of Egypt. Whenever a conflict arose, Rome would step in as a neutral arbitrator. Ptolemy, facing a popular uprising, sought military help from Rome to suppress it. During his absence, his wife Cleopatra and one of their daughters governed the country, but unfortunately, Cleopatra passed away. In response to the power vacuum, the Alexandrians crowned Queen Berenice IV and sent a delegation to Rome, seeking intervention in the conflict between father and daughter.
In no time at all, Ptolemy XII triumphed over Archelaus’ troops and reclaimed his position on the throne after a fierce battle. In order to solidify his power, Ptolemy ordered the execution of his own daughter, Berenice, in 55 BC. Just four years later, the king passed away, passing the throne to his daughter Cleopatra VII Philopator and his son Ptolemy XIII Dionysus II. Cleopatra, unlike her predecessors, was truly exceptional as she became the first ruler of her dynasty to master the Egyptian language. She dedicated herself to not only learning Greek, Hebrew, Syrian, and Aramaic, but also potentially Latin. Furthermore, she engaged in a well-rounded education that encompassed literature, music, political science, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, setting herself apart as a highly educated and knowledgeable leader.
In Egypt, the situation was turning for the worse. The hardworking farmers faced devastating famines, while the Egyptian currency continued to weaken. To make matters worse, the sluggish bureaucracy was hampering any chance of recovery. Consequently, the country found itself increasingly reliant on Rome for support. Frustrated and desperate, the farmers decided to take matters into their own hands, staging uprisings and forming groups of bandits that caused widespread chaos and misery. In addition to this turmoil, the royal family was also plagued by discord. The younger sister, Arsinoe, vehemently disagreed with the ruler’s policy of aiding the Romans and harbored aspirations of claiming the throne for herself. Meanwhile, Ptolemy XIII, who was very young and easily influenced, found himself under the tight control of three advisors who coerced him into banishing his sister from power. This scheme was orchestrated by the advisors Potino and Aquilas, who led a force to overthrow her.
Cleopatra made a bold attempt to regain her power, mustering a formidable army to support her cause, but ultimately fell short of success. In a short span of time, tensions escalated between her two brothers and their respective spouses, resulting in Cleopatra’s downfall. However, when the Roman civil wars erupted, Julius Caesar made his way to Egypt and provided Cleopatra with crucial assistance in her struggle against her brother. Sadly, the Alexandrian War brought about the untimely demise of both Pompey and Ptolemy XIII, and tragically, the renowned Alexandria Library was reduced to ashes.
Cleopatra faced a dire situation, choosing to end her life by allowing an asp to bite her. Augustus saw this as an opportunity to not only eliminate her, but also to put down her son, Cesarión, ultimately ending the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty and bringing Egypt under the control of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra’s life was a source of inspiration for countless creators, including writers, painters, sculptors, and filmmakers. For instance, between 1540 and 1905, an impressive number of over 200 plays, five operas, and five ballets were produced, all revolving around her extraordinary story. Some notable literary works that emerged from her tale include “Cleopatra and Mark Antony” (1606) by the renowned William Shakespeare, “All for Love” (1678) by the Englishman John Dryden, and “Caesar and Cleopatra” (1901) by the esteemed George Bernard Shaw. Even Astérix the Gaul, a beloved comic series, dedicated one of its volumes to her remarkable journey.