Cleopatra Queen of the Nile

Statue of Cleopatra during her
reign as Pharaoh of Egypt. 

Relief of Cleopatra as a goddess, c. 69–30 B.C.E, 
. 

Cleopatra's formal name was, ‘Cleopatra VII Philopator’. Known most commonly as ‘Cleopatra’, and her name comes from the Geek word ‘Kleopatra’, meaning ‘glory of the father. Cleopatra was the very last Egyptian Pharaoh to rule Egypt (3). She was a female Pharaoh, led a naval fleet, and is still talked about is history books today. Cleopatra also symbolizes beauty, strength, and power. Cleopatra's actual birth is unknown, according to The History Channel, is it said to be around 69 or 70 B.C. (1). When Cleopatra was eighteen the Egyptian throne was passed to her and her ten-year old brother Ptolemy XIII (1).  Of course, keeping in the Egyptian tradition Cleopatra and her brother were married to keep the throne intact and in the family. Ptolemy and his advisers acted against Cleopatra. She was run out of Egypt, and she fled to Syria in 49 B.C., where she raised an army to battle Ptolemy (1).  According to BBC, Cleopatra "Whether she was as beautiful as was claimed, she was a highly intelligent woman and an astute politician, who brought prosperity and peace to a country that was bankrupt and split by civil war" (2). She was far from being the helpless girl. This video clip from YouTube explains more about her history in interesting way, in History vs. Cleopatra from TED-Ed.  The man most associated with Cleopatra would help her regain the throne, and overthrow her brother Ptolemy. His name was Julius Caesar of Rome. 

Depiction of Cleopatra in papyrus. 

  

Cleopatra had Caesar has her lover and ruled with him. This gave her more power and more wealth. Cleopatra was on coins, and this bothered the people because it broke the norm of having females subordinate to males (4). Taking advantage of Caesar’s displeasure with Ptolemy, With the her new found  military had overthrown her brother, and lead to his death. Caesar and Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 44 BC to 30 BC. She eventually had a son with Caesar, named Caesarion, he became co-ruler at the early age of three years old (5). Although Caesar never acknowledged him as his actual son. After Caesar's death she returned to Rome, and referred to herself as the Egyptian goddess Isis (5). When Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C, Cleopatra made a decision to side with Mark Antony against Caesar's legal son (5). She sent troops to Rome, and was successful. She went on to have a    romantic relationship as well as a diplomatic relationship with Mark Antony. 

   

Egyptian Cobra, that is said to have killed Cleopatra. 

                                                                               Cleopatra went on to have three 
children with Mark Antony. Eventually Mark Antony's troops lost in battle and he committed suicide. Cleopatra followed suit, and it is said that she had an asp bite her and that is how she died. The History Channel, talks about how a cobra bite , may or may not be the case. Scientists today are still not certain if this is what caused her death, but it is the story and is usually told, when talking    about Cleopatra.  

Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra. 

Cleopatra should be be remembered as the last pharaoh of Egypt, for her strength and not just for her beauty. She spoke many languages over the course of her life, was well educated, and took the throne at a young age. She fought her way back to the throne, after being exiled, to what is now modern day Syria. Cleopatra, ruled with men and was as able to send her army, an control a navel fleet. In history books she is most remembered because of her beauty, and not her accomplishments. Cleopatra was a strong person who was the last official pharaoh to rule over Egypt. She should be remembered for what she could do, and not what she looked like. 

Works Cited:
1.History.com Editors. “Cleopatra.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/cleopatra   

2.  “History - Cleopatra.” BBC, BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cleopatra.shtml 

3. Tyldesley, Joyce. “Cleopatra.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-queen-of-Egypt   

4. “Cleopatra Timeline.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, https://www.ancient.eu/timeline/cleopatra/.

5. “Cleopatra Facts, Worksheets, Rule Of Egypt, Throne & Death For Kids.” KidsKonnect, 15 Mar. 2019, https://kidskonnect.com/people/cleopatra/.