Cleopatra: The Story of the Queen of Egypt
- Davit Grigoryan
- Jan 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 16
Cleopatra VII Philopator, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, is one of ancient history's most enigmatic and captivating figures. Her life was a fascinating blend of political intrigue, romance, and a relentless struggle for power in the ancient world. Was she truly able to seduce every man she encountered? What were her secrets for gaining such influence over not one but two Roman generals—Julius Caesar and Mark Antony? In this article, we will delve into the remarkable life of the Egyptian queen.
Childhood and Youth
Cleopatra was born on November 2, 69 BC. While the exact location of her birth remains a mystery, it is widely believed that she was born in Alexandria, the cultural center of the ancient world. Contrary to popular misconception, Cleopatra had no drop of Egyptian blood. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, founded by Ptolemy I, one of Alexander the Great's generals, making her of Greek descent.
Ptolemy I was born into a peasant family in Macedonia. However, his lineage gained prominence, and his descendants maintained their Greek identity. To secure the dynastic line and prevent inheritance disputes, the Ptolemies often married within their own family, including siblings and close relatives.
Cleopatra's birth was shrouded in various rumors. According to some sources, she was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and a concubine, rather than the ruler's legal wife. This may explain why she was said to differ from her relatives in both appearance and intellect.
Little is known about Cleopatra’s childhood and youth. However, the future queen likely spent time reading books in the Library of Alexandria and studying music. Her education was exceptional for the time, as she developed skills in philosophical thinking, reasoned argumentation, playing multiple musical instruments, and speaking eight foreign languages. This was particularly remarkable given that, in those days, Greek society generally paid little attention to educating children, especially girls.
Between 58 and 55 BC, Cleopatra witnessed her father, Ptolemy XII Auletes, being expelled from Egypt while power shifted to her sister Berenice. However, with the intervention of Roman forces led by Aulus Gabinius, Ptolemy XII regained the throne. Despite his restoration, he proved unable to rule effectively, and his reign became marked by repression, social unrest, and brutal murders.
These turbulent events undoubtedly left a lasting impression on Cleopatra. In later years, she would reflect on her father’s reckless governance, viewing him as a cautionary figure whose mistakes she was determined to avoid.
How did Cleopatra become queen?
Cleopatra inherited the crown in 51 BC at the age of 18. She was required to share the throne with her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, as dictated by dynastic tradition. To solidify their rule, they were ceremonially married. However, the young pharaoh was still too immature for a true marital relationship, and his advisers began plotting to seize power on his behalf. As a result of these conspiracies, Cleopatra was forced into exile.
In 48 BC, Julius Caesar arrived in Alexandria, partly by chance. His rival, Gnaeus Pompey the Great, had fled to Egypt seeking support from Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII. However, Ptolemy chose to execute Pompey, likely in an attempt to curry favor with Caesar. Upon Caesar's arrival in Alexandria, he was presented with the severed head of his defeated enemy.
The reasons behind Caesar’s intervention in the conflict between the reigning siblings remain uncertain. Perhaps it stemmed from Rome’s reliance on Egyptian grain supplies and its vested interest in maintaining stability in the region. Initially, Caesar appeared indifferent as to which of the feuding relatives would ultimately hold power. However, Cleopatra managed to secure his support in just one night.
In the following year, Ptolemy XIII perished during a rebellion against Caesar and Cleopatra, likely drowning in the Nile during the chaos. With their victory secured, Caesar and Cleopatra celebrated with a leisurely cruise along the Nile.
Cleopatra’s next co-ruler was her younger brother, Ptolemy XIV. He died shortly after, and his death is widely believed to have been orchestrated by Cleopatra herself. Following this, at the queen's request, another member of the Ptolemaic dynasty—her younger sister Arsinoe IV, who had attempted to overthrow Cleopatra—was executed.
By the time of Ptolemy XIV's death, Cleopatra had already become a mother. In 47 BC, she gave birth to a son, Ptolemy XV Caesarion, fathered by Julius Caesar. However, Caesar never officially acknowledged the paternity. Despite this, her son became the symbolic co-ruler of Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt. She ruled the country alone, which was a remarkable feat for a female ruler in that era.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
After the death of Julius Caesar, a civil war erupted among the Romans, in which Cleopatra chose not to intervene. Following the war, the Roman Empire was divided among three leaders: Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus. Antony assumed control of the eastern provinces, and as a result, Egypt fell within his sphere of influence.
Rumors were suggesting that Cleopatra had aided Cassius, one of Julius Caesar’s assassins. Seizing on this pretext, the Roman commander demanded that the Egyptian queen appear before him for trial. At the time, he was stationed in Cilicia, preparing for a campaign against the Parthians.
Before departing, Cleopatra inquired about Mark Antony from the Roman officer Quintus Dellius. From his description, she learned that the ruler of the East was easy to communicate with, yet rude, vain, and amorous. Cleopatra took note of these traits as she planned her next move.
Determined to make a lasting impression on Antony, Cleopatra ordered the construction of a magnificent ship. The vessel was a grand surprise, built using precious wood and adorned with scarlet sails. As the ship approached the shore, delicate music filled the air, and the scent of incense wafted, intoxicating the senses. The lighting and ambiance left a lasting impression on Antony.
After this, Mark Antony was invited to a lavish feast. It is said that he enjoyed the food so much that he was willing to reward the cook with an entire island. Cleopatra had achieved her goal: Antony had fallen in love.
Thus began a romance that lasted for nearly ten years. In 40 BC, the lovers had twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. In the autumn of 36 BC, a third child, Ptolemy Philadelphus, was born. In 32 BC, Mark Antony sought a divorce from his fourth wife, Octavia, and officially married Cleopatra. However, according to Roman law, this union had no legal standing.
Death of Cleopatra
There are many myths surrounding the death of Cleopatra, making it difficult to reconstruct the event with certainty. The most widely accepted version comes from the account of Plutarch.
In the spring, Octavian Augustus, the legitimate heir to the Roman throne, arrived in Rome. He was warmly welcomed by the citizens, but the active army and supporters of Julius Caesar sided with Mark Antony. This led to the Mutina War, from which Octavian emerged victorious.
As Augustus advanced toward Alexandria, Mark Antony received false news of Cleopatra’s death. Unable to bear the tragedy, he fell on his sword. Meanwhile, Cleopatra and her attendants locked themselves inside the tomb. Antony, gravely wounded, was brought there to join her.
Mark Antony died in Cleopatra’s arms. In a moment of despair, she considered ending her own life with a dagger, but instead, she began negotiations with Octavian. Cleopatra hoped to win Augustus over with her charms and restore Egypt’s independence, but all her efforts proved futile.
After Antony’s death, Cleopatra fell into a deep depression. She starved herself and remained bedridden. Cornelius Dolabella, an agent of Octavian, informed the widow that she would be sent to Rome to be paraded in Octavian’s triumph.
According to ancient Roman custom, Augustus planned to parade Cleopatra behind his triumphal chariot, chained like a slave, as a symbol of his victory over Egypt. However, the queen managed to avoid such humiliation. It is said that she had a snake hidden inside a pot of figs, which was delivered to the palace on her orders. The poisonous bite of the snake is believed to have caused her death, offering a quick and quiet end. However, this version lacks solid confirmation.
A more plausible explanation is that Cleopatra, at the age of 39, took her own life using poison that she kept hidden in a hollowed-out hairpin. Both of her maids are said to have died alongside her, further suggesting that the method of death was indeed poison.
Octavian had to make do without the noble captive he had planned for his triumphal procession. Instead of Cleopatra herself, her statue was carried in the parade. Cleopatra’s children by Mark Antony also participated, but they were later entrusted to Octavian’s sister, his ex-wife, to be raised. Cleopatra's eldest son, who was regarded as Julius Caesar's child, was executed after her suicide.
The location of Cleopatra’s mummy remains unknown, though it is widely believed that she and her lover, Mark Antony, are buried together in a tomb beneath the necropolis temple near Taposiris Magna (modern-day Abusir).
Interesting facts about Cleopatra
Ancient alchemists believed that Cleopatra was the owner of the philosopher's stone and could turn any metal into gold.
According to legend, the queen met with Mark Antony on Cleopatra's island, famous for its golden sand beach, which was brought there especially for the Egyptian seductress.
Cleopatra was known for her interest in cosmetology. According to rumors, the queen bathed in milk and honey and used creams made from a mixture of herbs and animal fat.
The Egyptian queen is considered the progenitor of the bob haircut with straight bangs down to the eyebrows.
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