Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VII Philopator (Greek: Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ), (Ptolemaic dynasty) was born in 69 BC, co-ruled Egypt with her brothers/husbands. The Ptolemies were Macedonian in descent, but ruled as Egyptians, as Pharaohs. The famous movie Cleopatra was about her.
Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy Auletes, perished in 48 BC when he supported Pompey over Julius Caesar, and Caesar's side won. Caesar had Cleopatra and her brother installed as co-rulers. She soon disposed of her brother while setting about to rebuild Egyptian power with Roman aid. Lover of Julius Caesar who stayed three extra months in Egypt with her. She had a son who she named Caesarion, implying that Caesar was the father. Julius Caesar had a wife but no son, and thus no direct heir to become the next Roman emperor. Cleopatra hoped that her son by Julius Caesar would become the next Roman emperor.
When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Cleopatra was bitterly disappointed to learn that his will named his great nephew Augustus as his heir.
Cleopatra later found a new Roman leader to enter her life. Marc Antony married her in 36 BC, even though he was already married to Octavia, the sister of Octavian. This caused an unbreachable rift between Octavian and Antony. From back in Rome Octavian stirred up the Roman people against Cleopatra, claiming that Antony intended to break off part of the Empire and give it to her. The senate declared war against Cleopatra, but not Antony. Antony and Cleopatra fought against the forces of Octavian. In the crucial sea Battle of Actium Cleopatra turned to set sail for Egypt. Antony followed her, and, believing she had already killed herself, committed suicide.
Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC by arranging to be bitten by an asp, which was "a poisonous Egyptian serpent and symbol of divine royalty,"[1] after she learned she would be paraded through the streets of Rome as a captive after her side was defeated by Octavian, and she was unable to win him over as she had Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.
Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Her death was the mark of the end of the Egyptian Monarchs. Egypt became part of the Roman Empire. The only other ruler to cast a shadow on the fascination with Cleopatra was Alexander, who was another Macedonian.
