A Mighty Ruler, Objectified
Cleopatra has become widely known in popular culture as a royal Egyptian seductress, infamous for enticing powerful men to do her political bidding. But a closer look at her life reveals that this impression may be a misogynistic misrepresentation, and that in reality, she was far more cunning and capable in her own right.
1. She Was An Impressive Kid
Cleopatra was born around 69 or 70 BC in the great city of Alexandria, a cultural center of Hellenic civilization. Her father was King Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysus. The ruling pharaoh was so impressed with his young daughter’s intelligence and capability from a young age that, shortly before his passing, he revised his will to name her joint heir to the throne with her brother, Ptolemy XIII.
This was an uncommon position for a woman of Ancient Egypt. But Cleopatra’s lineage suggested a destiny of greatness.
Queen Cleopatra | Official Trailer | Netflix, Netflix
2. She Had Powerful Ancestors
Cleopatra was of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek rulers based in Egypt. She was a descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of their dynasty, who was a close general and companion of Alexander the Great, even succeeding him as ruler. Representing such a complex and highly regarded bloodline, Cleopatra knew she would need knowledge to wield such power.
3. She Was A Polyglot
Cleopatra was a generally learned girl, and she spent much of her childhood in the fabled Library of Alexandria. Her knowledge and education impressed many who encountered her, and though Greek was her first language, she took it upon herself to learn many more, reportedly speaking at least nine. But there was one language she spoke that was of particular political importance.
O. Von Corven, Wikimedia Commons
4. She Spoke To Her People
Cleopatra understood the importance of communicating with her subjects in a way her predecessors did not. With this wisdom, she became the first Ptolemaic ruler known to have learned the Egyptian language. She practiced among the people too, often taking many trips into the country away from her home comforts. This attracted her some attention that would have significance later in life…
Cleopatra (1963 ) Elizabeth Taylor Entrance into Rome Scene (HD), Astrotema
5. She Enticed A Roman General
Now named heir, Cleopatra was eager to learn as much about her land as possible, even accompanying visiting foreign dignitaries. At the age of 14, she travelled into the Egyptian heartland with a Roman expedition. Among the curious Romans was General Mark Antony, who claimed he fell in love with the young heiress after encountering her on this trip. Antony would reenter Cleopatra’s story later. But she had to write the story of her own reign first.
Edwin Austin Abbey, Wikimedia Commons
6. She Ascended Young
Cleopatra’s father passed away sometime before March 22 of 51 BC, and the young woman was crowned Queen of Ptolemaic Egypt at the age of around 19. Ruling alongside her brother, Ptolemy XIII, tensions would begin to slowly mount between the siblings. This may have been in part due to the turbulence of their early reign.
Ancient Empires: Cleopatra Evolves Into an Ruthless Monarch (Season 1) by History
7. She Had A Tumultuous Start
Cleopatra and her brother faced a challenging beginning to their stint on the throne. For one, their father had accumulated large debts to the Roman Republic. To make matters worse, the year they ascended, the Nile did not flood as much as it usually did, leading to a drought in the region that in turn led to famine—but Cleopatra met the challenge with compassionate fervor.
8. She Was Kind To The Downtrodden
Cleopatra took a direct, administrative role in addressing the crisis of food shortages among the poor. She ordered the royal granaries to distribute food among the starving poor of her kingdom, gaining her great favor among her subjects. It was the first in a line of popular policies.
Ancient Empires: Cleopatra is Crowned Queen of Egypt | Exclusive, HISTORY
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9. She Was A Tolerant Ruler
Cleopatra reigned over a diverse and multicultural region of Egypt, and she made sure that no group felt isolated from or ignored by her regime. As the chief religious’ authority of the land, she oversaw the construction of temples dedicated to both Greek and Egyptian gods and even commissioned the building of a synagogue for the Jews of Egypt. But her rising popularity among the masses may have fueled tensions at home.
10. She Feuded With Family
By August 29, 51 BC, official Ptolemaic documents of the era began to list Cleopatra as the sole ruler of the region, suggesting her and her brother had a falling out. Though we do not know much about the nature of this rupture—it had earth-shattering consequences.
Ptolemy XIII held on to some powerful allies in the region, and before long, a devastating civil war broke out between the two siblings’ factions. They needed a strong mediator—and they got the most powerful one in the world.
Élisabeth Sophie Chéron (1648 - 1711), Wikimedia Commons
11. She Got A Warning
Cleopatra’s conflict with her brother devastated the region, and eventually it attracted the attention of the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar. After one of his generals, Pompey, perished in the conflict, Caesar had enough. He called on Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII to demobilize their armies and reconcile. But the stubborn Ptolemy XIII refused, and Cleopatra saw her chance.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Wikimedia Commons
12. She Went For A Booty Call
In clear defiance of Caesar’s orders, Ptolemy XIII marched on to Alexandria where the emperor was residing. Cleopatra sent emissaries to the ruler to appeal her case, but nothing came of them. However, she did hear that Caesar had a proclivity for affairs with royal women. Seeing that she had an in, Cleopatra travelled to Alexandria under the cover of night—with a seductive plan.
John William Waterhouse, Wikimedia Commons
13. She Charmed The Toga Off Him
Cleopatra, without the knowledge of her brother, managed to secure a meeting with Caesar (one source even claims she smuggled herself into his palace rolled up in a rug). Records state that she dressed seductively and when Caesar discovered her, she managed to successfully charm the reigning emperor with her wit—a trait she was famous for. Her efforts paid off, and Caesar made a declaration.
Let's Play Assassin's Creed Origins 132: Cleopatra in a carpet! Julius Caesar & Ptolemy, Kasumi Rina
14. Her Brother Wouldn’t Listen
Ptolemy XIII soon got word that Cleopatra was consorting with Caesar and feared the worst. However, Caesar, citing their father’s will, declared before the assembly of Alexandria, a ruling council, that both siblings were to cease the conflict and resume co-rule.
Ptolemy XIII would not accept this, fearing that it would end up better for his sister since she had Caesar’s ear. Weighing up his forces, he concluded they were far larger than the Roman emperor’s and decided to attack Caesar and Cleopatra both. There was no turning back now.
15. She Endured A Siege
Ptolemy XIII began a long siege on Alexandria, which lasted well into the following year. All the while, Cleopatra holed up with Caesar in his palace, the two growing ever closer. What was clear to the emperor now was which sibling was more of a threat—and he promptly allied himself with the queen. Then, he made plans to crush the dissenting brother.
Ralf Roletschek, Wikimedia Commons
16. Her Brother Suffered Defeat
By March of 47 BC, Caesar’s reinforcements had arrived at Alexandria, and far outnumbered Ptolemy XIII’s forces. Pushing the invading army back, Cleopatra’s brother attempted to escape down the Nile. But Roman forces pursued him and managed to capsize his ship. Ptolemy XIII drowned—and now the path was clear for his sister.
Fototeca Storica Nazionale, Getty Images
17. She Was Co-Ruler Again
The throne was now clear for Cleopatra, but Caesar had one last political maneuver. Fearing the backlash to a sole female ruler, he instead named her co-ruler again, this time with her younger brother, the 12-year-old Ptolemy XIV. Cleopatra did not seem to object to this, likely because the younger Ptolemy was ruler in name only. But Cleopatra didn’t return home immediately because power was not the only thing Caesar had given her.
Cleopatra VI clashes with brother Ptolemy XIII and Plotinus (Pt 1) by Rick Davi
18. She Had A Powerful Affair
Cleopatra remained living with Caesar at Alexandria for a time, even after the siege lifted. It soon became clear that, during their extended sojourn trapped in the palace, the two had grown close and had begun an affair. A historical power couple for the ages, Caesopatra proceeded to take a much-deserved break after all that fighting.
Tancredi Scarpelli, Wikimedia Commons
19. She Vacationed With An Emperor
When Cleopatra finally emerged from the palace, she did not head straight home. Instead, her and Caesar allegedly took a sightseeing tour of the Nile. Though there is debate by historians as to the likelihood that this cruise actually happened, evidence in favor of it cites Caesar’s fascination with geography and desire to discover the source of the world’s longest river. Their lodgings were, of course, exactly as you’d expect for this power couple.
Illustrated London News, Wikimedia Commons
20. She Travelled In Style
Cleopatra and Caesar allegedly cruised on Thalamegos, a pleasure barge built by her ancestor, Ptolemy IV. Resembling a floating villa, the ship was astoundingly large, 300ft long and 80ft high, and contained dining rooms, holy shrines, promenades, and state rooms. Cleopatra was good to her man, and she may have influenced him in other ways.
Nicolaes Witsen, Wikimedia Commons
21. She Set A Roman Precedent
Cleopatra was the only Ptolemaic ruler to issue coins with her face on them. Interestingly, Caesar was also the first Roman emperor to do so, and she was almost certainly his inspiration. This precedent of a ruler’s face minted onto a coin continues to this day, meaning Cleopatra may have been instrumental in establishing this tradition worldwide. Her and Caesar shared another significant legacy too.
What did Cleopatra look like? Coins Give us an Answer by Classical Numismatics
22. She Became A Mother
During the beating back of her brother’s forces, Cleopatra did not appear in public. This was uncharacteristic of the charismatic Egyptian leader. Many have speculated that this was because she had been pregnant with Caesar’s child at the time. Regardless, around June 23, 47 BC, Cleopatra gave birth to Caesarion, her son produced from her affair with Caesar—whether he wanted to admit it or not.
Ancient Roman painter(s) from Pompeii, Wikimedia Commons
23. Her Baby Daddy Didn’t Fess Up
Cleopatra was loud and proud about her son’s parentage, repeatedly making official declarations that Caesarion was the son of the Roman ruler. However, Caesar never publicly acknowledged the boy as his son (even if he did so in private), likely to avoid scandal, considering he had a childless marriage with another woman already. Despite this apparent rift, the couple continued to see each other.
Cleopatra (1963 ) Elizabeth Taylor Entrance into Rome Scene (HD), Astrotema
24. She Visited Her Lover
In late 46 BC, Cleopatra decided to visit Caesar again. Accompanied by her brother and co-ruler, the two travelled to Rome and stayed in Caesar’s grand villa. It was the last moment of peace for the couple before the tumultuous events that followed. But it didn’t stop Cleopatra from irking some of the Caesar’s inner circle.
25. She Didn’t Charm Everyone
Tensions were mounting in the Roman Republic at the time, and Cleopatra’s presence did not help matters. She received many official visitors at Caesar’s villa, but not all found her charming. One visitor in particular, the famous Roman senator Cicero, found the young queen to be arrogant. Things quickly came to a head in the city-state.
26. Her Lover Perished
On March 15, 44 BC, a day that became known as the Ides of March, Caesar was assassinated in Rome. Feeling her power slipping, Cleopatra opted to stay in Rome to advocate for her son Caesarion, in futile hope of having him recognized as the late emperor’s son. Her efforts were fruitless, and Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, became his heir. But Cleopatra may have had a plan B…
Karl von Piloty, Wikimedia Commons
27. She May Have Schemed Against Her Kin
A few months later, Cleopatra’s brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIV, also perished. It was an unexpected and mysterious demise. Though never proven, many suspect Cleopatra poisoned her brother. Regardless, the passing of her kin paved the way for her to consolidate power…
MsRepresented: Cleopatra's True Story Unearthed, MsMojo
28. She Elevated Her Son
Following the untimely demise of her brother, Cleopatra, ever the political savant, knew she would need a new, male co-ruler. She opted, of course, to name her son, Caesarion, to join her on the throne, solidifying her grip on power in the Ptolemaic kingdom. She would need a strong hand for the tumultuous times ahead.
29. She Took Sides In A Conflict
Following Caesar’s assassination, the Roman Second Triumvirate formed, by Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus against the forces that had conspired against the late emperor. Setting off a conflict that became known as the Liberators’ civil war, Cleopatra ostensibly joined the side of the Second Triumvirate. But she was hesitant to get her hands dirty.
Jean-Leon Gerome, Wikimedia Commons
30. She Mostly Hung Back
Cleopatra received appeals from both sides of the conflict to contribute troops to the effort. She largely rebuffed pleas from the assassins’ side and, not wanting to risk weakening her forces, hesitated to send troops to the front lines with the Triumvirate, often only doing so once the fighting had mostly died down.
The Triumvirate advanced despite this, however, and after Mark Antony had taken control of much of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, he began to summon Cleopatra to his headquarters. She rebuffed his efforts several times before finally relenting in 41 BC—and her visit had echoes of a previous trip.
William Hilton, Wikimedia Commons
31. She Took Another Royal Cruise
While their meeting was of strategic importance to the two powerful rulers, Antony no doubt had ulterior motives. Considering he’d had a crush on Cleopatra since she was 14, Antony was looking to form a romantic as well as strategic partnership with her. Cleopatra seemed open to the idea, and hosted Antony on her lavish cruise ship for two nights of gluttonous feasting. But her motivations were more political than romantic.
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
32. She Began Another Affair
Cleopatra was intentional in her next romantic pursuit. Deeming Antony to be the most powerful Roman figure following the demise of Caesar, Cleopatra knew he was her most strategic option for producing heirs. And so, she began an affair with the rule and got to work.
Ancient Empires: Cleopatra's Crucial Bond With Mark Antony | Exclusive, HISTORY
33. She Reproduced Quickly
Cleopatra and Antony’s affair was passionate and steamy. By the end of 40 BC, less than two years after her initial summon by him, she had already given birth to three children by Antony–a pair of twin boys and a girl. Antony, unlike his predecessor, publicly acknowledged these children as his own. It was probably a necessity considering the queen had him over a barrel.
Jan de Bray, Wikimedia Commons
34. She Became A Sugar Mama
Despite Antony’s success in the Liberators’ conflict, his forces had nonetheless dwindled, and he desperately needed Cleopatra’s assistance. She became something of an invasion sugar mama for her paramour, providing him with 200 ships for his campaign. But love wasn’t the only thing she got in return.
35. She Expanded Her Kingdom
Antony’s conquests also resulted in the reclamation of lands around the Ptolemaic kingdom. Under Cleopatra’s sway, Antony decided to gift these lands to the queen and her family, known as the Donations of Alexandria. The seized territories were divided up between Cleopatra, Caesarion, and Antony’s children of the queen. Cleopatra let it get to her head a little.
please check file name, Wikimedia Commons
36. She Gave Herself A Badass Title
Following this triumphant territorial reclamation, Cleopatra needed to imprint her powerful position on her people. In a gymnasium, she held a lavish ceremony where she dressed as the god Isis and declared herself Queen of Kings, and her son, Caesarion, King of Kings. This ruffled more than a few feathers in Rome.
A. M. Faulkner, Wikimedia Commons
37. She Caused A Rift
Not everyone in the Triumvirate was happy with these developments. Octavian, in particular, was fuming, and publicly chastised Antony for his actions, causing a rift in their alliance. He also painted Cleopatra a traitor to Rome and declared war on the Ptolemaic kingdom. He launched an invasion on the hearts and minds of Cleopatra’s people.
С. И. Сосновскии, Wikimedia Commons
38. She Faced Accusations Of Sorcery
Octavian began a huge propaganda campaign against Cleopatra and Antony. He claimed that the queen had brainwashed Antony with witchcraft and accused her of attempting to destroy civilization. One rumor claimed that Cleopatra dissolved a priceless pearl in vinegar just to win a dinner party bet, attempting to establish her alleged disdain for Roman values. But Cleopatra fought the rumors.
Twentieth Century, Cleopatra (1963)
39. She Went To The Front Lines
Cleopatra and Antony faced increased pressure in the conflict, but the queen bravely met the moment. On September 2, 31 BC, a huge naval skirmish known as the Battle of Actium took place. Cleopatra commanded 60 ships in the fight, deep in the action aboard her own flagship, the Antonias, a rarity for a woman of her time. She engaged in battle but had a unique approach to diplomacy too.
Ancient Empires: Cleopatra Evolves Into an Ruthless Monarch (Season 1), History
40. She Grimly Courted Allies
Cleopatra and Antony, despite their heroism and determination, were beginning to falter, their forces struggling against those of Octavian. They sought allies wherever they could and by any means necessary. One unconfirmed account claims that Cleopatra, seeking an alliance with Artavasdes I of Media Atropatene, sent him the head of his rival to gain his favor. Whether true or not, the alliance was not enough.
Laureys a Castro, Wikimedia Commons
41. She Attempted To Flee
By 31 BC, their campaign was going so poorly that Cleopatra began to see Antony as a liability. Preparing to leave Egypt to her son Caesarion, she made preparations to escape to India, where she would take refuge and recuperate. But her hopes were dashed when one of Octavian’s generals managed to burn her entire fleet. It was time to consider more desperate measures.
Ancient Empires: Cleopatra's Crucial Bond With Mark Antony | Exclusive by HISTORY
42. She Began Cruelly Experimenting
Cleopatra felt she now had few options. She would have to take the easy way out. Reports from this time (though they may simply be pro-Octavian propaganda) allege that she began testing various poisons on her prisoners and servants with the intention of determining which one would prove most merciful in the event she had to end her own life. Brutally, it was not an unreasonable expectation.
43. Her Lover Perished
By August of 30 BC, Octavian’s forces were dominating. One by one, Antony’s armies, cavalries, and fleets began surrendering to the Roman forces. He holed up in his palace in Alexandria with Cleopatra, awaiting his fate.
Fearing Antony was now an irredeemable liability, Cleopatra deployed one last scheme: she locked herself in her tomb and had her servants send word to Antony that the queen had taken her own life. Completely despaired, Antony proceeded to stab himself, perishing at the age of 53. But it was too little, too late for Cleopatra and her family.
After Nathaniel Dance-Holland / William Shakespeare, Wikimedia Commons
44. They Seized Her Children
Octavian finally entered Alexandria shortly after Antony’s demise, occupied the palace, and seized Cleopatra’s three youngest children. He offered her safety under his capture, but a spy quickly informed Cleopatra that the Roman emperor intended to move her to Rome and parade her triumphantly around the city. With no intention facing this humiliation, Cleopatra made her final move.
Louis Gauffier, Wikimedia Commons
45. She Took Her Servants Down With Her
On August 10, 30 BC, Cleopatra administered poison to herself and her closest servants (some accounts claim they took this voluntarily). The great pharaoh queen passed at the age of 39, in her palace, possibly in her very own tomb, depending on the account. Rumors quickly spread about the nature of the queen’s demise.
John Sartain, Wikimedia Commons
46. She May Have Gotten Creative
It is unclear exactly how Cleopatra administered the poison that ended her life, but that didn’t stop people speculating. The craziest of these theories, again likely spread by pro-Octavian propagandists, was that she allowed an Egyptian cobra to bite her. However it happened, Cleopatra’s demise meant the end of a dynasty.
47. She Was The Last Of Her Kind
Following Cleopatra’s untimely passing, Caesarion fled to Upper Egypt. He was eventually lured back to Alexandria by Octavian who convinced the young man that his rule would resume. Instead, he was executed. This marked an end to the Hellenistic period in the region, making her the last active Hellenistic pharaoh. It meant seismic changes for Egypt too.
48. She Marked The End Of An Era
With the fall of Cleopatra and the Ptolemaic dynasty, Egypt now fell under Roman control and established as a province under Octavian’s rule. He renamed himself “Augustus” and declared himself emperor of Rome, amassing massive constitutional powers. But Cleopatra would be remembered more fondly.
Till Niermann, Wikimedia Commons
49. She Became An Icon
In the wave of Egyptomania that swept the Western world nearly two millennia later, Cleopatra became a pop cultural icon. In Victorian Britain, for example, she became an object of fascination, and her image was used to market many products, including lithographs, oil lamps, postcards, and even cigarettes. There were some inaccuracies in her portrayal, though.
The Real Cleopatra | Queen of Egypt by Royalworld - Nobility & Dynasties
50. She Gained An Inaccurate Reputation
Cleopatra’s reputation today is that of a beautiful and cunning seductress, irresistible to men, and she has been portrayed this way in many movies and books. But this does not line up with the historical record. For one, she is only known to have had two lovers, Caesar and Antony.
Furthermore, very few sources speak of her physical beauty, instead noting her charm and wit. But these portrayals underserve, arguably in a misogynistic way, who the pharaoh queen really was: a brave and intelligent woman, who spoke many languages, threw lavish parties, hunted and went to battle—and shook the very foundations of the Roman Empire.
Paramount studio, Wikimedia Commons
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