Who Was Cleopatra

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Cleopatra VII was a powerful and influential ruler in Egypt, and one of the ancient world’s most famous female figures. She was the last of the Ptolemy dynasty of rulers of Egypt, and is best known for her romantic relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Cleopatra was born in 69 B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt, to Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V Tryphon. She ruled in her own right from 51 B.C. to 30 B.C. During her reign, she was dedicated to strategically expanding and defending the kingdom of Egypt. She improved the trade networks and built alliances with other powerful states in the Mediterranean to protect Egypt’s prosperity and expand its borders.

In addition to her political strategy, she also strengthened Egyptian culture. She kept ancient Egyptian traditions alive, revived the worship of Isis, and was known to be a patron of the arts.

Cleopatra’s political and romantic relationship with Julius Caesar began when her brother/husband, Ptolemy XIII, was expelled from Egypt. With the help of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra was placed back on the throne of Egypt. After Julius Caesar’s death in 44 B.C., Cleopatra joined forces with Roman leader Mark Antony and had a passionate romance with him.

In 30 B.C., after suffering a massive defeat in a naval battle against Octavian’s forces, Cleopatra and Mark Antony committed suicide. With her death, Egypt’s is power was taken away, ending her dynasty.

Throughout her reign, Cleopatra made great accomplishments in the political, economic, and cultural arenas. For thousands of years she has been remembered as an iconic female ruler and a symbol of beauty and power. Even today, her legendary life is seen in movies, books, and plays.