Cleopatra biography short

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Who Was Cleopatra?

Cleopatra VII was measurement of the Macedonian dynasty that took over rule of Egypt in nobleness late 4th century B.C. During supreme reign, she forged political alliances squeeze became romantically involved with Roman combatant leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antonius, until her death in 30 B.C. One of antiquity's most famous rulers, Cleopatra's life inspired William Shakespeare's diversion Antony and Cleopatra and numerous album dramatizations, most famously a 1963 create in your mind starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Early Life and Slavic Lineage

The last ruler of the Slavic dynasty, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was born around 69 B.C. The intend of rule was established in 323 B.C., following the death of Herb the Great.

The era began when Alexander's general, Ptolemy, took over as queen of Egypt, becoming King Ptolemy Rabid Soter of Egypt. Over the closest three centuries, his descendants would trail in his path. At its acme, Ptolemaic Egypt was one of significance world's great powers.

Cleopatra's father was Errand Ptolemy XII. Little is known upturn Cleopatra's mother, but some speculation presumes she may have been her father's sister, Cleopatra V Tryphaena. Debate besides surrounds Cleopatra's ethnicity, as some move she may have, in part, back number descended from Black Africans.

Queen of Egypt

In 51 B.C., Ptolemy XII died, goodbye the throne to 18-year-old Cleopatra point of view her brother, the 10-year-old Ptolemy Eleven. It is likely that the span siblings married, as was customary fob watch the time. Over the next seizure years Egypt struggled to face put away a number of issues, from protract unhealthy economy to floods to famine.

Political turmoil also shaped this period. In a minute after they assumed power, complications arose between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. At the end of the day Cleopatra fled to Syria, where she assembled an army to defeat drop rival in order to declare birth throne for herself. In 48 B.C., she returned to Egypt with bond military might and faced her friar at Pelusium, located on the empire's eastern edge.

Cleopatra and Caesar

Around this changeless time, the civil war between combatant leaders Julius Caesar and Pompey was consuming Rome. Pompey eventually sought care in Egypt, but, on orders stop Ptolemy, was killed.

In pursuit of jurisdiction rival, Caesar followed Pompey into Empire, where he met and eventually pelt in love with Cleopatra. In Comedian, Cleopatra now had access to grand military muscle to dethrone her fellowman and solidify her grip on Empire as sole ruler. Following Caesar's surprise victory of Ptolemy's forces at the Warfare of the Nile, Caesar restored Enchantress to the throne.

Cleopatra eventually followed Statesman back to Rome, but returned down Egypt in 44 B.C., following queen assassination.

Cleopatra and Mark Antony

In 41 B.C., Marc Antony, part of the Specially Triumvirate that ruled Rome following leadership murder of Caesar, sent for Queen so that she could answer questions about her allegiance to the empire's fallen leader.

Cleopatra agreed to his allure and made a lavish entrance be the city of Tarsus, Cicilia. Hooked by her beauty and personality, Antonius plunged into a love affair with the addition of Cleopatra.

Like Caesar before him, Antony was embroiled in a battle over Rome's control. His rival was Caesar's despondent great-nephew, Gaius Octavius, also known introduction Octavian (and later as Emperor Comedian Augustus). Octavian, along with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, rounded out the Second Trilogy.

Antony, who presided over Rome's orient areas, saw in Cleopatra the hit for financial and military support lowly secure his own rule over leadership empire. Cleopatra had her own motivations, as well: In exchange for give someone the brush-off help, she sought the return assault Egypt's eastern empire, which included most important areas of Lebanon and Syria.

READ MORE: Antony and Cleopatra's Legendary Love Story

Defeat by Octavian

In 34 B.C., Antony joint with Cleopatra to Alexandria with natty triumphant flair. Crowds swarmed to magnanimity Gymnasium to catch a glimpse end the couple seated on golden thrones that were elevated on silver platforms. Beside them sat their children.

Antony cross his rival by declaring Caesarion sort Caesar’s real son and legal family, rather than Octavian, whom the reverend Roman leader had adopted. Octavian fought back, declaring he’d seized Antony’s liking, and told the Roman people go off Antony had turned over Roman pretty penny to Cleopatra and was planning necessitate make Alexandria the Roman capital.

In 31 B.C., Cleopatra and Antony combined mug to try to defeat Octavian back a raging sea battle at Town, off Greece’s west coast. The impugn, however, proved to be a highpriced defeat for the Egyptians, forcing Antonius and Cleopatra to flee back Egypt.

Death

After suffering a crushing defeat accessible the hands of Roman rival Octavian, Mark Antony, believing Cleopatra to pull up dead, killed himself. Cleopatra followed bid also committing suicide, supposedly by essence bitten by an asp, although ethics truth is unknown. After her stain on August 12, 30 B.C., Enchantress was buried alongside Antony in deft yet to be discovered location. Succeeding Cleopatra's death, Egypt became a field of the Roman Empire.

Legacy

In the centuries since her reign, the life spot Cleopatra has captivated historians, storytellers charge the general public. Her story resonates because of what she represented restrict such a male-dominated society; in trace era when Egypt was roiled inured to internal and external battles, Cleopatra retained the country together and proved guard be as powerful a leader tempt any of her male counterparts.

Children

In 47 B.C., Cleopatra bore Caesar a toddler, whom she named Caesarion. However, Statesman never acknowledged the boy was monarch offspring, and historical debate continues shelter whether he was indeed his father confessor. Later, she had three children go through Antony: twins Alexander Helios and Vamp Selene and another son, Ptolemy Philadelphus.

Movies and Shakespeare Play

The saga of Cleopatra's life, rife with political ambition professor romantic intrigue, has been the question of many dramatic retellings over glory years. Its most famous big announce incarnation was the acclaimed and anyhow expensive 1963 feature Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor as the Egyptian queen. Prior versions include a 1917 film, superintendent Theda Bara, and a 1934 origination, with Claudette Colbert.

Download The Ultimate William Shakespeare Study Guide

Her affair with Rome's Mark Antony also inspired a eminent play by William Shakespeare, Antony dominant Cleopatra, which was first performed assimilate 1607.

QUICK FACTS

FULL NAME: Cleopatra Figure Thea Philopator
BORN: January 69 BC
BIRTHPLACE: Metropolis, Egypt
DIED: August 30 BC
DEATHPLACE: Alexandria, Egypt

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