Megan
Language Arts
2-18-02
Cleopatra
Did you know that Cleopatra was the last pharaoh, and that she killed herself? Cleopatra was the ruler of Egypt and the last Ptolemy to rule. The Ptolemaic dynasty was the 31st dynasty and ended when Cleopatra died. When Alexander the Great died, the Ptolemy dynasty started. Cleopatra had many relationships with people and also accomplished many things when she was queen. Also, the circumstances of her death combined to create a fascinating life.
Cleopatra became queen of Egypt in 51 BC. She was 17 or 18 years old. In order for her to be queen she then had to marry a son or brother so she married her 12 year old brother. She was queen of Egypt for about 21 years. Besides that, she died at the age 39 on August 12, 30 B.C. She killed herself when she found out she and her children were not safe and that her end was soon to come.
Cleopatra had many relationships with people. She had two sisters, Bernice IV and Arsinae IV. She also had two brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. She didn't just have relationships with her siblings though. She had romantic relationships too. In fact, she was lovers with Mark Antony and also Julius Caesar. Mark Antony and Cleopatra became lovers in about 44 BC. They had twins, named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. She and Julius Caesar became lovers in 47 BC. In addition, she also had a child with Caesar who was born on June 23, 47 BC. His name was Caesarian, or Ptolemy Caesar. Another person that was in her life was Ptolemy. Ptolemy drowned in the Nile while trying to flee. Then she had to marry her other younger brother, Ptolemy XIV (who was 11 years old at the time). Also she married three people throughout her life. Those three people were Ptolemy XIII, Ptolemy XIV and also Ptolemy XV.
Cleopatra accomplished a lot of things. She stared new religion laws in favor of her people and she instituted new laws. Cleopatra also fought to keep Egypt independent and she nearly won. Also, she tried solving the main conflicts. She pleased the Alexandrians and Egyptian priests by marrying her younger brother.
She didn't always undertake the things she should have, though. When Egypt was on the verge of economic collapse she decided to put on a show for Mark Antony instead of helping Egypt.
Cleopatra's death was very surprising to the Egyptians. Cleopatra died by a snake bite but some people believe she died by poison. What most people believe is she died by a snake bite. An asp was brought to her, hidden in a basket of figs. She committed suicide knowing her end was close. She achieved her dying wish, which was to not be forgotten. After her death, her oldest son was strangled and her other children were raised by Mark Antony's, wife Octavia. After her death, Egypt was absorbed into the Roman Empire.
In conclusion, Cleopatra lived a fascinating life. Her life was filled with ambitious conquests. Her life was about gaining power over the world. She almost succeeded.
List of Sources
1.Gereldine Delia, Ancient Egypt
2.Early Civilization
3.http://www.nteroz.com/egypt/cleopatra/htm