Cleopatra

69-30 B.C.

Many Macedonian queens of Egypt were named Cleopatra but the most famous was Cleopatra VII who was the daughter of Ptolemy XII. Cleopatra's father Ptolemy XII was the oldest of the two illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX. His brother was Soter II. Ptolemy became governor of Cyprus and he was pronounced King of Egypt in 80 B.C. He was referred to as the Flute Player "Auletes". The Ptolemies had ruled Egypt for over 300 years. Cleopatra took the throne at the age of 17, on the death of her father in 51 B.C. with her young brother Ptolemy XII. In 49 BC her brother's guardians siezed the throne but the throne was restored to her by Gaius Julius Ceasar. Her brother drowned in the Nile while trying to escape in the Alexandrine war, and a younger brother Ptolemy XIV, whom she married by custom, was put on the throne with her.
In 46 B.C. Cleopatra went to Rome where she stayed with Julius Ceasar as his mistress, until his death. She retuned to Egypt in 44 B.C. and had her brother murdered in order for her son, "Cesarion" by Julius Caesar, to rule as Ptolemy XIV.

Cleopatra had the family resemblence of the previous Macedonian Cleopatra's mixed with the blood of her Greek ancestors. In 42 B.C. she met Mark Antony at Tarsus in Asia Minor. She influenced him to leave his wife Octavia, which hastened the war between Anthony and Octavian which ended in the naval battle at Actium on the west coast of Greece. Cleopata and Mark Anthony had twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene and a third child born after their marriage. Mark Anthony was led to kill himself by beleiving a false report that Cleopatra had taken her own life.
Cleopatra tried to influence Octavian without success. Octavian intended to take her to Rome and exhibit her in triumph of his victories so she took her life. Legend says she put an asp on her arm and died of its bite but she may have taken a poisenous drug.
Some of Cleopatra's descendants.....
Juba II was the son of Juba I, who was carried as child to Rome by Julius Caesar. He was reinstated in Numidia by Octavian and married Cleopatra and Mark Anthony's daughter Cleopatra Selene. He was transferred from Nubidia to Mauretania which he ruled until his death.
Ptolemy who died in 40 A.D. was king of Mauretania. He was the son of Juba II and grandson of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. He was assinated by Caligula.

A bust of Cloepatra VII.
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