The Last known Pharaoh, Cleopatra was one of the most influential women in history, especially in a time where women were seen as less competent then men, sub-human even, usually just seen as objects. Known to be a very attractive person, using her sexuality, cunning and charm to seduce the two most powerful men in that time whether it be for love or for the protection of her country, a love story that is still known today. Though manipulative and ambitious, she was still able to bring back Egypt from the brink of anarchy almost single handedly. An excellent example of a very modern women before her time able to do what many didn't think possible for a female.
Cleopatra VII Philopator was born in the hellenistic (Greek influenced) town of Alexandria, an Egyptian town near the mouth of the Nile, the link between Greece and the fertile soil of the Nile's valley, in January 69 BC. She was the daughter of Cleopatra V Tryphaena of Egypt and Ptolemy XII Auletes (both illegitimate children of Plolemy IX, though it is not known whether or not they had the same mother) and so she was a direct descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, Alexander the Great's general.
During her childhood, she and all her siblings were very well cared for despite her father's harsh reign. While the general public had nearly no benefits from his time as king, his six children lived in the out most luxury. They dined on the finest foods, wore the most expensive gowns, attended all the fancy events and got the best quality education. In this manner, Cleopatra became knowledgeable in the area's of philosophy, literature, art, music, medicine and language, able to speak Aramaic, Ethiopic, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. Despite being of Greek- Macedonian origin and predominantly of Greek-Macedonian culture her curiosity and want to learn led her to be influenced by the Egyptian culture surrounding her. For 300 years since Alexander the great had conquered the country, rulers had followed the rule of Greek-speaking aristocracy, Cleopatra was the first in all those years to have learnt the Egyptian language. Later, she also came to identify herself with her patron god Isis. Her curiosity also lead her to pick up politics, which wasn't difficult providing her exposure to it being daughter of the pharaoh. Observing her father's power as king, again her curiosity resulted in her desiring that power for her own, which later grew into ambition.
In the midst of all these politics, she came to realize the potential danger of all this ambition, as her six siblings also wanted to rule. There wasn't a law which declared who would receive the throne, the current pharaoh would choose one of his children as a successor, therefore the less competition the better. It was not uncommon for a relative to be killed by members of their own family for political gain, her father, Auletes paid for the assassination of two of her sisters, Cleopatra Tryphania when she rose to the throne while Auletes was trying to establish a alliance between Greece and Egypt then Berenice after Tryphania was killed.
In 51 BC Auletes passed away and the monarchy was given to Cleopatra and her 10 year old brother Ptolemy XIII as a joint rule as it was Egyptian law that any female ruler must have a male consort. Even so, in her determination to rule she ignored Ptolemy XIII"s claim to the throne for three years, not stating her brother's name on any important documents and posing as sole heir on legal tender. These first three years of ruling were quite a dilemma due to famine, flooding, problems with the economy and political issues. Her home country was in turmoil.
In 51 BC Auletes passed away and the monarchy was given to Cleopatra and her 10 year old brother Ptolemy XIII as a joint rule as it was Egyptian law that any female ruler must have a male consort. Even so, in her determination to rule she ignored Ptolemy XIII"s claim to the throne for three years, not stating her brother's name on any important documents and posing as sole heir on legal tender. These first three years of ruling were quite a dilemma due to famine, flooding, problems with the economy and political issues. Her home country was in turmoil.
Since her brother was only 10 he was easily manipulated by his advisers, Theodotus, Pothinus and Achillas, three men who sought control of Egypt. But, of course, with Cleopatra being the much more dominant ruler there wasn't much chance of them rising to power (with Ptolemy XIII as their puppet), so they had to find a way to get rid of her. Amidst the turmoil was the perfect opportunity. Pothinus found a way to convince the people of Egypt that all their misfortune was somehow cause by Cleopatra. The citizen came to hate her, and with all the odds against her, fearing her life she fled from Egypt and took refuge in Syria, along with her sister Arsinone IV. She stayed there until she had raised an army large enough to face her brother.
In the meantime Pompey went to Egypt, looking for help after being defeated by Caesar in Greece. Plotmey and his advisers murdered him hoping to present it as a token of goodwill to Caesar. Caesar himself soon followed, bringing thirty-two hundred legionaries and eight hundred cavalry. He wanted to collect the debt owed by the former king Auletes and to enforce Roman rule. Seeing Pompey's assassination enraged him. Despite him being a political enemy, he was still a Consul of Rome and husband of his only legitimate daughter Julia. Furthermore, it angered with that Pompey was tricked instead of allowed a proper fair fight. And so he seized rule of Egypt.
Cleopatra not wanting to miss this opportunity to forge an alliance with Caesar devised a plan to be smuggled into Alexandria, in which she would be rolled up in a carpet and presented to him. When she rolled out of the carpet she soon seduced Caesar, though more with her intelligence and ambition that actual physical beauty. It was said that though not physically beautiful, "she was irresistible to talk to and a bewitching character". They became lovers, he being her link to Rome and she being his puppet in control of Egypt.
Ptolemy soon realized this and shouted that he had been betrayed, though on the way out he was captured by Caesar's soldiers. So began the Alexandria War, with Achillas ordering 20 000 on Ptolemy's soldiers to surround the palace. Even grossly outnumbered, Caesar stalled the army by holding all the royal family hostage inside, Cleopatra, Ptolemy, Arsinone and their half sister. Later on Arsinone escaped to join Achillas, stating herself to be the queen and co ruler. For this, Cleopatra never forgave her sister. Pothinus was eventually arrested executed by Caesar, Achillas killed in battle. Arisinoe was captured and brought to Rome where she was paraded among the other captives. The co-regent, Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile while trying to run away. With his death Cleopatra was left as sole heir and ruler of Egypt, throne returned to her by Caesar.
Unable to ignore the messages from Rome any longer, Caesar return to his homeland in July of the year 46 BC. On his return he was celebrated for his victory over in the wars. He had invited Cleopatra to join him in Rome for the celebration, who came with her younger brother as to thwart any rebellions he might have planned. Cleopatra's appearance caused much controversy among the Romans. Not only had she an overwhelming ambition, conniving intellect and much charisma which was unlike the majority of women, she was also much more outspoken than was probably considered proper, calling herself the reincarnation of Isis. It also didn't help that Caesar had a gold statue of her erected next to a temple of Venus, and that he openly announced Caesarion was his son. This led people to think that he was planning to marry Cleopatra, despite a law against marrying foreigners, many where angered by his. They thought that Cleopatra was just using Caesar as a way to power. Even today it is still unclear as to whether their relationship was truly that of love, or whether it was just a convenient way to gain more power.
Afterwards Caesar was invoked sole counsel of Rome and began removing many me from the senate and replacing them with others more loyal to him. The original Senators feared that he was a threat to their republic, trying to become the one leader of the empire. So on the Ides of March of 44 BC he was assassinated outside the senate building. Because of her ill favor with the people of Rome, Cleopatra fled back to Alexandria. Not long after Ptolemy XIV passed away, though the cause of hie death is debatable and Cleopatra choose Caesarion as her co-ruler, killing her sister Arisone as a precaution. In her absence she found that there was once again plague and famine, the Nile canal left unattended failed to produce a good crop continuing to do so till 41 BC. In Rome a new Triumvirate was formed, Mark Antony, Octavius, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Antony was the most powerful of the three. As a result of his win over Brutus and Cassius he was given territories in Greece, Asia Minor, the Middle East, and independent territories such as Egypt, the better sections of the empire. Though powerful, he wasn't a very decent strategist and he had a tedency to drink, take many women. He was considered vulgar, though like most men of power very ambitious. Cleopatra knew this, and that he was the strongest member of the Triumvirate and sought to "ally" herself with him. Although Egypt was in economic crisis, Cleopatra lined her ship with proof of her wealth and dressed up as a vision of Aphrodite, with young boys fanning her as she set sail for Anthony's current residence in Tarsurs. Not long after she arrived did they become lovers. He was so infatuated that left his wife and he spent the winters of 40 and 41 BC in Alexandria with her,
resulting in her giving birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II.It was said that Cleopatra had quite a strong hold on him, able to get anything she wanted, much of Anthony's conquered land to Cleopatra and their children. Cleopatra eventually started calling herself the Queen of kings and "was planning a war of revenge that was to array all the East against Rome, establish herself as empress of the world at Rome and inaugurate a new universal kingdom."
Despite his love for Cleopatra , he still wanted to maintain the Triumvirate between him, Octavian and Lepidus, who didn't approve much of his relationship with Cleopatra. As an act to prove his loyalty and increase his power he made an agreement with Octavian, the only problem was that the agreement was to marry his sister, Octavia. Which needless to say Cleopatra wasn't very pleased. Another dilemma was that Egypt was currently at war with Roman allies, causing the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra to waver. He had had four children with Octavia before he returned to Cleopatra, saying that he was going to battle with Parthia. Which he did eventually with Egypt's support. Afterwards Cleopatra had born their third child, Ptolemy Philidelphus.
Anthony's behavior was scandalous, the roman council decided to declare war on Egypt. They sent a large fleet of ships which quickly defeated Anthony's inferior navy. It was said that on seeing their forces largely outnumbered Cleopatra fled, Anthony seeing that she had left deserted the battle to chase after her. The lack of a leader left their army disorganized, Egypt falling easily into Rome's hands. In the shame of his defeat, Anthony took his own life by falling on his sword on 30 BC. Cleopatra was captured by Octavian, he planned to have her humiliated by being paraded as a slave through the streets of the very city she ruled. She refusing to be degraded as such, planned to end her life just as Anthony did.
How exactly she committed suicide is unclear. One source says that she did it with the use of an ointment which was poisonous. But most say it was with an asp. Plutarch, a writer 130 years later mentions that she had one of her loyal servants bring her a basket of figs wherein the snake was conceal. After taking a bite of the fig she held out her arm for the snake to bite. Her maid was found dead beside her. There are other variations where the asp is in a vase instead and she pokes it with a spindle until it bites her, another where the death included two snake. Shakespeare wrote that she died while clutching it to her chest, though all the others agree that the bite was on the arm. However she killed herself, with Caesarion next in line to the throne murdered, her death marked the end of the Ptolemic rule. Even in death Cleopatra, maintaining her honour triumphed. The last pharoah died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39.
Although coming off as manipulative and possibly selfish, Cleopatra truly cared for her people. Out of the long Ptolemic age of anarchy and high taxes, she had made a stable or even prosperous dynasty. She had lowered taxes in hope that it would motivate people to work harder and provide a steady amount of wheat, also she created laws which where in favor of them. Knowing and taking the time to learn the native language showed that she respected the community as the monarchs prior to her did not, which increased her popularity. That she linked her self with the much loved god Isis also increased her popularity, going to temples to worship dressed as the goddess and calling herself the new Isis. Using her charm and sexuality for her own political benefit, whether or not she loved Caesar or Anthony, is proof of how far she would go to ensure her country's safety. Opinions may differ over how good a person she was, but the fact remains that she admirable leader who loved Egypt.
Cleopatra's enormous legacy resides the the many artistic depictions of her , along with the drama of her life's story, filled with excitement and horror only one in a thousand of people would experience. A fair bit of confusion surrounds the art works left behind, though. Not many of the seem to show her as looking like the same person, which creates questions surrounding her appearance, race and social status. People of the modern era tend to imagine her as a beautiful ivory skinned women, or as depicted in various movies or stories based on her life (e.g. Elizabeth Taylor). Though what is more important is how she changed the perception of females. Even if women didn't receive equal rights as men until much later, she has proved that they are just as capable as men, if not more capable. The determination to achieve her aspirations show that with enough of it you can accomplish anything. Her intelligence, charm and charisma has made her a symbol of female beauty and power.
Cleopatra VII, although not a freedom fighter, was still an inspiration.
resulting in her giving birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II.It was said that Cleopatra had quite a strong hold on him, able to get anything she wanted, much of Anthony's conquered land to Cleopatra and their children. Cleopatra eventually started calling herself the Queen of kings and "was planning a war of revenge that was to array all the East against Rome, establish herself as empress of the world at Rome and inaugurate a new universal kingdom."
Despite his love for Cleopatra , he still wanted to maintain the Triumvirate between him, Octavian and Lepidus, who didn't approve much of his relationship with Cleopatra. As an act to prove his loyalty and increase his power he made an agreement with Octavian, the only problem was that the agreement was to marry his sister, Octavia. Which needless to say Cleopatra wasn't very pleased. Another dilemma was that Egypt was currently at war with Roman allies, causing the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra to waver. He had had four children with Octavia before he returned to Cleopatra, saying that he was going to battle with Parthia. Which he did eventually with Egypt's support. Afterwards Cleopatra had born their third child, Ptolemy Philidelphus.
Anthony's behavior was scandalous, the roman council decided to declare war on Egypt. They sent a large fleet of ships which quickly defeated Anthony's inferior navy. It was said that on seeing their forces largely outnumbered Cleopatra fled, Anthony seeing that she had left deserted the battle to chase after her. The lack of a leader left their army disorganized, Egypt falling easily into Rome's hands. In the shame of his defeat, Anthony took his own life by falling on his sword on 30 BC. Cleopatra was captured by Octavian, he planned to have her humiliated by being paraded as a slave through the streets of the very city she ruled. She refusing to be degraded as such, planned to end her life just as Anthony did.
How exactly she committed suicide is unclear. One source says that she did it with the use of an ointment which was poisonous. But most say it was with an asp. Plutarch, a writer 130 years later mentions that she had one of her loyal servants bring her a basket of figs wherein the snake was conceal. After taking a bite of the fig she held out her arm for the snake to bite. Her maid was found dead beside her. There are other variations where the asp is in a vase instead and she pokes it with a spindle until it bites her, another where the death included two snake. Shakespeare wrote that she died while clutching it to her chest, though all the others agree that the bite was on the arm. However she killed herself, with Caesarion next in line to the throne murdered, her death marked the end of the Ptolemic rule. Even in death Cleopatra, maintaining her honour triumphed. The last pharoah died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39.
Although coming off as manipulative and possibly selfish, Cleopatra truly cared for her people. Out of the long Ptolemic age of anarchy and high taxes, she had made a stable or even prosperous dynasty. She had lowered taxes in hope that it would motivate people to work harder and provide a steady amount of wheat, also she created laws which where in favor of them. Knowing and taking the time to learn the native language showed that she respected the community as the monarchs prior to her did not, which increased her popularity. That she linked her self with the much loved god Isis also increased her popularity, going to temples to worship dressed as the goddess and calling herself the new Isis. Using her charm and sexuality for her own political benefit, whether or not she loved Caesar or Anthony, is proof of how far she would go to ensure her country's safety. Opinions may differ over how good a person she was, but the fact remains that she admirable leader who loved Egypt.
Cleopatra's enormous legacy resides the the many artistic depictions of her , along with the drama of her life's story, filled with excitement and horror only one in a thousand of people would experience. A fair bit of confusion surrounds the art works left behind, though. Not many of the seem to show her as looking like the same person, which creates questions surrounding her appearance, race and social status. People of the modern era tend to imagine her as a beautiful ivory skinned women, or as depicted in various movies or stories based on her life (e.g. Elizabeth Taylor). Though what is more important is how she changed the perception of females. Even if women didn't receive equal rights as men until much later, she has proved that they are just as capable as men, if not more capable. The determination to achieve her aspirations show that with enough of it you can accomplish anything. Her intelligence, charm and charisma has made her a symbol of female beauty and power.
Cleopatra VII, although not a freedom fighter, was still an inspiration.
http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/cleop7.html
http://sangha.net/messengers/Cleopatra/bio.htm
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