Alisia
Language Arts
2/18/02
Cleopatra
Did you know that Cleopatra was the queen of Egypt at the age of 17 or 18? Her brother was only 12. Cleopatra was in control of Egypt during the 31st dynasty and at the end of Ptolemaic dynasty. The Ptolemies reigned from 305-30 B.C. Cleopatra's life contained struggles and many adventures. Some of them included wars and relationships with very powerful men. These men included Mark Antony and Caesar.
Cleopatra was born in 69 B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt. In 51 B.C. Cleopatra became queen . Cleopatra was queen between 51 and 30 B.C. According to the Egyptian law, they told her she had to have a consort who was either a brother or a son. Cleopatra picked her 12- year- old brother. She soon dropped his name from official documents. She also had to marry her 11- year- old brother, Ptolemy XIII, who drowned in the Nile River while trying to escape from the Alexandrian War, which started when Potinus called for Ptolemy XIII's soldiers in November. As of her brother's death, she was the one and only ruler of Egypt. Caesar had restored her position, but now she had to marry her younger brother Ptolemy XIV. Cleopatra died at age 39 on August 12, 30 BC.s
Caesar was a powerful ruler. Caesar met Cleopatra in Alexandria, Egypt. Caesar was in Alexandria on a trip. Cleopatra was delivered to Caesar. Cleopatra and Caesar were lovers and Cleopatra's brother, Ptolemy, was really mad. He said that he had been betrayed, trying to provoke the Alexandrian mob. He was shortly captured by Caesar's guards and they brought him back to the palace. It is thought that Caesar had planned to make Cleopatra the sole ruler. Caesar thought she would be a puppet for Rome. Cleopatra and Caesar had a son named Caesarion (Ptolemy Caesar), who was born on June 23, 47 B.C..
Cleopatra came to power as queen because in 51 B.C. Ptolemy Auletes, her father, died and left his kingdom in his will to his 17 or 18 year old daughter, and her younger brother Ptolemy XIII , who was 12 at the time.
A thing that Cleopatra did not achieve was a greater world empire. Some things that she did achieve was she fought to keep Egypt independent . Some think she nearly won. Cleopatra ruled with the help of her prime minister and she kept an eye on Greek governors who were in control of other parts of the country.
There are many beliefs about how Cleopatra died. One of them was that she was captured and taken to Octavian. She knew her end was near and she was going to die, so she decided to kill herself. Some people also believe an asp poisoned her, and therefore killed her. Cleopatra and Mark Antony were both buried in Alexandria. When Cleopatra and Mark Antony died, Egypt became annexed by Rome. (They made Egypt part of Rome.) Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh. On August 12, Egypt became a Roman Province.
In conclusion, Cleopatra had a fun-filled, interesting, and romantic life. Cleopatra almost succeed in gaining power over the world.
List of Sources
Garaldine Delia, Ancient Egypt
Early Civilization