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Cleopatra Essay, Research Paper

Cleopatra was an intelligent, political, savory and ambitious woman who changed the history of Egypt. A young woman who was thrust early into the violent and tolerant politics of a declining kingdom. Her stragedy involved the seduction of Julius Caesar succeeded by an intense love affair with Mark Antony. She remains as one of histories most powerful and fascinating rulers.

Alexander the Great died abruptly in Babylon. His Macedonian Generals all raced to get his land. His solider Ptolemy wanted two things the body of Alexander and Egypt. He wanted Egypt because it was the richest place of all Alexander s conquests. He wanted Alexander s body because he believed it would bring a new god to him and many extraordinary powers to the ancient land where he soon would rule. Ptolemy got the land he desired and became pharaoh with all the ancient rights and privileges that came with the duty. He also gained the capital Alexandria, which then was one of the greatest cities to own. The Geografer Strabo wrote about the city Alexandia and the great benefit it had.

The whole city is crossed by streets wide enough for horses and carriages, and intersecting at right angles are two very wide streets, being more than 30 meters in breadth. The city has magnificent public places and buildings and royal palaces that cover a quarter, even a third of the total city area. Each king, just as he adds ornaments to public buildings, also builds a palace of his own to join those already there. And all are connected to the harbour, even those beyond the harbour walls. Also forming part of the palace quarter is the sema, the enclosure containing the tomb of Alexander and those of the kings in another word the city is full of dedications and sanctuaries. The gymnasium is the most beautiful building, with a colonnade about 175 metres in length. In the middle of the city are the law courts and open groves. There is also the Paneum, an artificial conical hill with spiral steps going round it. From the top, the whole wonderful city spreads out below

(Foss, pg. 36)

The great general was known as Ptolemy Soter, meaning savior. The names kept within the family were Ptolemy (for males), Arsinoe, Berenice and Cleopatra. For hundreds of years they kept the Ptolemies in rule because of marriages between brothers and sisters. Cleopatra s father was Ptolemy XII Neos Dionusos. He started ruling in 80 BC. Cleopatra s mother was Cleopatra V Tryphaena. Nobody knows if Cleopatra V Tryphaena is Cleopatras mother because after the birth of Cleopatra in 68 BC her mother either died or disappeared. Cleopatra was born in Alexandria in the winter of 69 or 68 BC. She was born in one of the Ptolemies luxurious apartments. The reason Cleopatra has her name is because she was her father s glory and that is what Cleopatra means. Cleopatras heritage were Greek Barbarians. Some of her heritage consisted of Persian blood. Cleopatra was of mixed blood which conculted to her dark complexion. Which is why some people refered to her as a gipsy (implying to her dark skin). That meant that she was not Egyptian. Cleopatra was a well-educated, intelligent person. For centuries there was an old program that taught pharaohs daughters curriculum of math, philosophy, astronomy and master military strategys. Cleopatra was taught the same education boys recived. Cleopatra was taught and spoke many languages such as Greek, Aethiopian, Troglodytes, Hebrew, Arabian, Syrian, Medes and Parthian. Some say she was magnificently brilliant and beautiful in her apperence as well as her power of mind. Plutarch describes in his notes of Cleopatra being beautiful in body as well as mind

Her actual beauty was not in itself so remarkable; it was the impact of her spirit that was irresistible. The attraction of her person, joined with the charm of her conversation and the characteristic intelligence of all that she did, was bewitching. It was delight merely to hear the sound of her voice. As if this were an instrument of many strings, she could pass from one language to another. (Foss, pg. 82)

Cleopatra had many siblings. She had two older sisters named Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV, which became her rivals because they also had the chance to take the throne. She also had two younger brothers and one younger sister named Arisione IV, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. Before Ptolemy XII (Cleopatra s father) died he made a will indicating that he wanted Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII heirs of the throne when he passed away. Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra were brother and sister Loving Gods meaning they had to marry each other to keep the royalty in the family. Cleopatra 18 married the young, 10 year old Ptolemy XIII. The marriage made Cleopatra Queen of Egypt and Ptolemy XIII King. Ptolemy was appointed with council men to guide him through problems if he should face any. Cleopatra and Ptolemy ruled jointly, although Cleopatra posesed most of the power because she was older and more advanced. In 50 BC the seasonal flood of the Nile River was low, causing drought and famine. Many people left in search of new water, Cleopatra left from the countryside and fled to Alexandria. In 48 BC Cleopatra was throwen out of the palace by Ptolemy XIII whose advisors despised her. She built her own army outside of Alexandria. Due to Ptolemy and his advisors Cleopatra was enraged and Civil war was on its way. Julius Caesar wrote why Cleopatra was thrown out of the palace.

through the kings friends and relatives , fastened the blame on Cleopatra as the senior of the co-rulers and the dominating figure in Government. By the end of 49 BC the sentiment of the people of Alexandria had turned against her and she was driven from the capital.

(Foss, pg. 74)

Julius Caesar was a great Roman conqueror, so each Cleopatra and Ptolemy XII wanted him on their side. Cleopatra wanted to meet

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