Cleopatra VII (69-30 BC, reigned in 5 1-30 BC) was the last ruler of Egypt, and later Egypt was incorporated into Roman provinces. Although Cleopatra is arguably the most famous queen in Egypt, she is actually a Greek and a member of the Ptolemy Dynasty (323-30 BC), which ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great (356-323 BC).

Cleopatra is probably best known for her love affair with Roman general and politician marc anthony (83-30 BC) and her early love affair with Julius Caesar (0/00-44 BC), but before her association, she was a powerful queen, much stronger than any Ptolemaic dynasty that followed.

Cleopatra is proficient in many languages and is said to be very attractive. She is an effective diplomat and manager. Her cooperation with Caesar and marc anthony took place after she successfully ruled and led Egypt through difficult times. Her affair with Anthony brought her into direct conflict with Anthony's brother Octavian Caesar (later known as Augustus Caesar, R 27 BCE- 14 CE) in France. Octavian will defeat the battle between Cleopatra and Anthony and Akron in 3 1 BC, ending her rule. The next year, she and Anthony both committed suicide. Octavian founded the Roman Empire and demoted Cleopatra to a small chapter in Roman history. Scholar Stacy Schiff commented:

Rewriting history began almost immediately. Marc anthony not only disappeared from the [official] records, but also miraculously turned himself into a major battle, a great victory and a turning point in history. From the end to the beginning. Augustus saved the country from great danger. (297)

Roman historians have grasped the concept of attractive women from the East, who threatened Rome and paid the price for it. Unfortunately, this image of Cleopatra has existed for centuries, and it was not until the last century that academic circles tried to describe her in a more authentic and pleasant way.

Youth and inheritance

In June 323 BC, Alexander the Great died, and his huge empire was divided up by his generals. One of the generals was Ptolemy I Soter (reigned from 323 to 282 BC), a Macedonian who was going to establish the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt. The Ptolemaic descendants of Macedonian-Greek race will continue to rule Egypt until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC, when it was occupied by Rome. Ptolemy I Soter, Ptolemy II (reigned 285-246 BC) and Ptolemy III (reigned 246-222 BC) ruled Egypt well, but after them, their successors ruled badly until Cleopatra ascended the throne. In fact, the difficulties she has to overcome are mainly the problems left over by her predecessor.

Cleopatra VII Philopato was born in 69 BC, and ruled with her father Ptolemy XII, Harriet. /kloc-When she was 0/8 years old, her father died and the throne was left to her. Because Egyptian tradition holds that a woman needs a male spouse to rule, her 12-year-old brother Ptolemy XIII married her. However, Cleopatra quickly deleted his name from all official documents and ruled alone.

The Ptolemaic people insisted on the superiority of Macedon-Greece and ruled in Egypt for centuries, but they never studied the Egyptian language or accepted Egyptian customs. However, Cleopatra is proficient in Egyptian, Greek, her mother tongue and other languages. Because of this, she can easily communicate with diplomats from other countries without an interpreter, and she doesn't have to bother to listen to the advisers' suggestions on state affairs soon after she acceded to the throne. Schiff pointed out that "Cleopatra has a gift for language, and she is adept at it" (160). Plutarch Schiff drew this conclusion from his works, and he wrote:

Just hearing her voice is pleasant. Like many stringed instruments, she can transition from one language to another. Therefore, there are few barbarian countries that she answered through an interpreter. (Chapter 8 of Life Anthony and Cleopatra)

Cleopatra and Caesar seem to have direct feelings for each other.

Her habit of making decisions and taking actions without listening to the opinions of court members made some senior officials uneasy. One example is that the Roman mercenary lieutenant hired by Ptolemy's royal family murdered the son of the Roman Syrian governor to prevent them from asking her for help. She immediately arrested the lieutenant in charge and handed them over to her aggrieved father for punishment.

Although she has made many achievements, her court is not satisfied with her independent attitude. In 48 BC, her chief adviser Potinus and another Russian general, Diodo and Achilles, overthrew her and put Ptolemy XIII on the throne, believing that he was easier to control than his sister. Cleopatra and her half-sister Archino fled to Sebede for safety.

The arrival of Pompeii, Caesar and Rome

At about the same time, the Roman general and politician Pompeii the Great were defeated by Julius Caesar at the Battle of salus. Pompeii is the guardian of Ptolemy's young children designated by the state. During the campaign, he spent a long time in Egypt. Pompeii believed that he would be welcomed by his friends. He fled to Egypt from salus, but found no refuge. However, when he landed in Alexandria, he was murdered under the nose of Ptolemy XIII.

Caesar's army is inferior to Pompeii in number. People believe that Caesar's amazing victory means that the gods prefer him to Pompeii. In addition, for Ptolemy XIII's adviser Portinas, it seems more meaningful to keep the young king in line with the future of Rome rather than the past.

After Caesar led his troops to Egypt to pursue Pompeii, he was said to be angry at Pompeii's murder and announced that he would settle in the palace. Ptolemy XIII and his court fled to Perrusi. However, Caesar did not intend to let the young ruler slip away and cause trouble, and brought him back to Alexandria.

Cleopatra is still in exile, and she knows that she can't walk into the palace undisturbed. Caesar realized that she had a chance to regain power. It is said that she wrapped herself in a carpet, ostensibly as a gift to the Roman general, and crossed the enemy's line. Plutarch tells the story:

Cleopatra boarded a ship with only one of her friends (Sicily Apollo Dorus) and landed in the palace at dark. Because there seems to be no other way not to be found, she stretched out in her sleeping bag. Apollo dolores tied the bag and took it to Caesar. Cleopatra's little trick first showed her provocative rudeness, which is said to be the first place to attract Caesar. (Chapter 49 of Life Caesar)

She and Caesar seem to fall in love at first sight. When Ptolemy XIII came to see Caesar the next morning, Cleopatra and Caesar were already lovers. The young Pharaoh was furious.

Ancient writers unanimously praised Cleopatra's wisdom and charm, not her physical characteristics.

Cleopatra and Julius Caesar

Ptolemy XIII sought support from his general Achilles, and a war broke out between Caesar's army and Alexander's Egyptian army. Caesar and Cleopatra were besieged in the palace for six months until Roman reinforcements arrived and broke the Egyptian defense. According to some historians, it was at this time that the great library in Alexandria was accidentally burned down, although this statement was questioned.

However, before Rome defeated Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra's half-sister Archino, who came back with her, fled the palace, went to the camp in Archilas and declared herself the queen of Cleopatra's position. Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile when he tried to escape after the battle, and other leaders who opposed Cleopatra's coup were killed during or shortly after the battle. Alcino was captured, defeated and sent to Rome, but Caesar exiled her to the Temple of Alsi at Ephesus, where she stayed until 4 1 BC, and marc anthony executed her at Cleopatra's urging.

Cleopatra is now the only ruler. She crossed Egypt with Caesar in an excellent way and was praised as Pharaoh by her subjects. In June 47 BC, she gave birth to a son Ptolemy Caesar (known as Caesar Lyon) and declared him her heir. Caesar himself was satisfied with Cleopatra's rule in Egypt, because both of them found the same strategy and wisdom in each other and linked them in a way of mutual respect.

In 46 BC, Caesar returned to Rome. Soon after, he went there with Cleopatra, their son and all her entourage. He publicly acknowledged that Caesar Lyon was his son (though not his heir) and Cleopatra was his spouse. Many members of the Senate and the public were uneasy about Caesar's behavior, because Caesar had married Calpurnia at this time and strictly abided by Roman law prohibiting bigamy. Cleopatra's famous flattering gift failed to make things better, and Cicero (BC 106-43) was particularly angry because he clearly pointed out in a letter in 45 BC:

I hate the queen. All the gifts she promised were very knowledgeable and in line with my personality. I can announce them on the roof ... Among them, it was painful for me. (Lewis, 1 18)

No matter what Cicero or others think of Cleopatra or her relationship with Caesar, it seems to matter to them. Although etiquette shows that they keep a low profile, they continue to appear in public together.

Cleopatra and marc anthony

When Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Cleopatra and Caesar Lyon fled Rome and returned to Alexandria. Marc anthony, Caesar's right-hand man, together with his nephew Octavian and his friend Leibida, pursued and defeated the conspirators who murdered Caesar. After the Battle of Philip, the armies of Antony and Octavian defeated those of brutus and cassius. Anthony became the ruler of the eastern provinces, including Egypt, while Octavian controlled the west.

In 4 1 BC, Cleopatra was summoned by Anthony of Tarsus to answer the accusation that she had helped brutus and cassius. Cleopatra's delay in coming and obeying Anthony's call clearly shows that as the queen of Egypt, she will come when she thinks fit. At this time, Egypt is on the verge of economic chaos, but even so, Cleopatra showed herself as a real monarch. She appeared on her barge in a luxurious Aphrodite dress:

She took a barge upstream along the Sidinas River, with a gold-plated purple sail at the stern and silver paddles rowing with the beat of flute, flute and harp. She has been lying under the canopy of gold cloth, dressed as Venus in the painting, and a beautiful little boy, like Cupid in the painting, stood on both sides to fan her. Her maids dressed like sea fairies and goddesses, some at the helm, some working on ropes ... perfume spread from the boat to the shore, and many people stood on the shore, some along the kitchen on the river bank, and some ran out of the city to watch the excitement. The market was empty, and finally Anthony was left sitting in the court. At the same time, the news reached everyone's ears. Venus came to have dinner with Bacchus for the benefit of Asia. (Chapter 7 of Plutarch's Biography of Marcus Antony)

Marc anthony and Cleopatra soon became lovers and remained so for the next ten years. She will give birth to three children for him-Cleopatra selenier ii, Alexander Helius and Ptolemy Filadelfo-and he regards her as his wife, even though he married Fulvia first and then Octavian's sister Octavia. He finally divorced Octavia and married Cleopatra legally.

Roman Civil War and the Death of Cleopatra

Over the years, the relationship between Anthony and Octavian has gradually disintegrated. Octavian was angry at Anthony's behavior, especially his disrespect for his sister and himself. He reprimanded Anthony many times, and at least once, Anthony responded directly. In 33 BC, Anthony wrote a letter to Octavian:

What bothers you? Because I slept with Cleopatra? But she is my wife, and I have been doing this for nine years, not recently. Anyway, is [your wife] your only pleasure? I hope that by the time you read this article, you have managed to sleep with Deltura, Trentila, Rufira, Sage Titisenia or all of them. Does it really matter where you are or which women you are with? (Lewis, 133)

Octavian was dissatisfied with Anthony's reply and any other violation of policies, manners or etiquette, and their personal and professional relationship further deteriorated to the point of civil war. After several battles almost in Octavian's favor, Cleopatra and Anthony's army were defeated by Octavian in the battle of Akron in 3 1 BC, and both committed suicide a year later. Anthony stabbed himself after hearing the false report of Cleopatra's death. It's too late. He knew she was alive. Octavian allowed him to be brought before the Queen, and he died in her arms.

Octavian then asked to see the Queen and explained to her why she failed. The conditions were not good, and Cleopatra knew that she would be taken as a prisoner to Rome to decorate Octavian's victory. Cleopatra realized that she could not manipulate Octavian like Caesar and Anthony, so she asked for and got time to prepare herself.

Then she was bitten by a snake (traditionally a snake and a scorpion, although today most scholars think it is an Egyptian cobra) and poisoned herself. Octavian murdered her son Caesar Lyon, and her child was taken to Rome by Anthony and raised by Octavian; Thus ending the Ptolemaic dynasty of the Egyptian rulers.

Although traditionally regarded as a great beauty, ancient writers unanimously praised her wisdom and charm over her physical quality. Plutarch wrote:

We were told that her own beauty was not the unparalleled type that could immediately attract onlookers. But her charm is irresistible. Her personality charm and speech have a kind of attraction. Coupled with her unique personality strength in words and deeds, all people related to her are attracted by her magic. (Chapter 8 of Life Anthony and Cleopatra)

Cleopatra has been casting the same spell for centuries after her death. She is still the most famous queen in ancient Egypt. Movies, books, TV programs and plays are all made around her life, and to this day, her works of art in every century describe her. Even so, as Schiff pointed out, she is remembered by almost everyone as a woman who seduced two powerful men, not because of her achievements before meeting them. Schiff wrote:

Individuals must be superior to politics, while pornography is superior to everything: long after we forget that Cleopatra shared a bed with Julius Caesar and marc anthony and maintained a huge, rich and densely populated empire under difficult circumstances, we will still remember her achievements in this regard. Twilight, in the name of a proud and educated dynasty. She stayed on the map because she seduced the two greatest men of her time, and her crime was to enter the "cunning and suspicious" marriage partnership enjoyed by everyone in power. (299)

Cleopatra died at the age of 39 and ruled there for 22 years. In an era when women have little or no political control over men and few female rulers, as long as she is in power, she will strive to maintain Egypt's independence and never forget what is beneficial to her people. In order to keep consistent with the ancient tradition of this land, she tried to keep the concepts of Ma 'at-balance and harmony as much as possible under the circumstances at that time. Although she is Macedonian-Greek, not Egyptian, in the public imagination, she is more symbolic of ancient Egypt than any other Egyptian monarch.

Author's Note: Special thanks to the scholar Arienne King for his contribution to this article.