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Cleopatra VII Philopator, more commonly known as Cleopatra, ruled as the last great Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. During her short reign of only twenty years, Cleopatra was co-regent to her first and second brother, both of whom she married, and her infant son. But, during her short reign, she experienced a lifetime of accomplishments and catastrophes.
At 18 years old, Cleopatra and her first brother Ptolemy VII married and became co-regents. But at the hands of her brother Cleopatra was exiled, and she turned to Julius Caesar for help. During their time together, Cleopatra and Caesar were romantically involved until her marriage and inauguration as co-regent to her second brother Ptolemy XIV. After her second marriage, Cleopatra gave birth to a son. Unsure of the father, he was appropriately named Ptolemy Caesar.
Ptolemy XIV and Caesar died shortly after Cleopatra’s return to the throne, leaving her and her infant son as co-regents. During this time, her reign was strong, and her popularity was growing with the Egyptian people. But, economic troubles and Rome’s divided triumvirate left Cleopatra in a difficult place. In the aftermath of Caesar's death Mark Antony Cleopatra about her loyalties to Rome. Overwhelmed by Cleopatra's intellect, charm, and beauty, Anthony’s loyalty to Rome was shaken, and he ran to Cleopatra in Egypt, leaving behind his third wife and child.
Anthony’s wife fell ill and died while he was in Egypt, forcing Anthony to leave Cleopatra and return to Rome, where he was forced to prove loyalty by marrying Octavia, sister to Octavius Caesar. During Cleopatra’s and Anthony's separation, Egypt was prosperous. Old traditions and practices were being brought back, and renovations of major monuments and temples were under construction.
Anthony ultimately returned to Egypt, where he and Cleopatra began an affair that resulted in Cleopatra’s second son Ptolemy Philadelpos. Octavius, furious with Anthony’s betrayal, started the Final War of the Roman Republic against Anthony and Cleopatra. Antony and Cleopatra were defeated at the Battle of Actium and got separated in the following chaos.
Rumor of Cleopatra’s death brought Antony to his sword, and the news of Antony’s death made Cleopatra surrender and commit suicide. Her death at forty years old brought an end to her twenty-year reign and marked the end of the Ptolemy dynasty and Ancient Egypt.
With her strength and beauty, Cleopatra reinstated the dignity of Egypt and brought power back to the great civilization in only twenty years. Though her death marked the end of the great civilization, she still stands as a symbol of Egypt almost two thousand years later.
With her strength and beauty, Cleopatra reinstated the dignity of Egypt and brought power back to the great civilization in only twenty years. Though her death marked the end of the great civilization, she still stands as a symbol of Egypt almost two thousand years later.