Cleopatra Vii Thea Philopator

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was born at Alexandria, Egypt in 69 BC and died at the age of 39 on August 12, 30 BC. She was the last pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra is most known for her beauty and love affair with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. Her life actually inspired a Shakespeare play based off of this affair. She is important because she was the last Egyptian ruler before Egypt turned into a Roman province. She ruled Egypt from 51 BC until 30 BC (her death).

Cleopatra was powerful-- after Caesar’s death, Cleopatra needed to maintain a close relationship with Mark because he controlled the Eastern Roman Empire. After Mark lost control of his area he had to rely on Cleopatra’s wealth and power. Cleopatra had Mark kill her younger sister when Cleopatra felt forces rallying within her sister. Cleopatra had two brothers who ruled with her for a short time; one died by Cleopatra, who poisoned him, and the other died while in a battle.

Cleopatra had four children. Her first child was a son by Caesar. She soon then had three more children two of which were twins from Mark. Only Cleopatra Selene was the one to survive into adulthood and become the Queen of Mauretania. Cleopatra demanded to expand her kingdom. Of course Mark and Antony granted her request for new land. Cleopatra was in control of most local areas.

On September 2, 31 B.C., Octavian forces beat Cleopatra and Antony’s in The Battle of Actium. Cleopatra’s ships soon retreated back to Egypt and along followed Antony’s. It’s said Antony heard a rumor that had Cleopatra committed suicide and killed himself just as the news came back false. On August 12, 31 B.C., after burying Antony, Cleopatra locked herself with two of her female servants. It’s said she killed herself by being bit by a poisonous snake but it’s uncertain. She was asked to be buried by Antony and she was. Cleopatra died at the age of 39.

In conclusion, Cleopatra was the last Egyptian ruler and was well known for her beauty and her affairs. She was very powerful and she was very well-known throughout the world. She killed herself supposedly by using a snake but it’s not proven.

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