7 Cleopatra 7

Cleopatra

(b. 70/69 BCE—d. August of 30 BCE, Alexandria)

C

leopatra VII Thea Philopator was the last ruler of

the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. Her life has capti-

vated historians and writers.

Cleopatra (Greek for “famous in her father”) was the

daughter of King Ptolemy XII Auletes. She was of

Macedonian descent and had little, if any, Egyptian blood.

When Ptolemy XII died in 51 BCE, the throne passed to

his young son, Ptolemy XIII, and daughter, Cleopatra

VII. It is likely, but not proven, that the two married soon

after their father’s death. The 18-year-old Cleopatra—

older than her brother by about eight years—became the

dominant ruler. Evidence shows that the first decree in

which Ptolemy’s name precedes Cleopatra’s was in

October of 50. Soon after, Cleopatra was forced to flee

Egypt for Syria, where she raised an army, and in 48 BCE

returned to face her brother. The arrival of Julius Caesar

brought temporary peace.

Cleopatra realized that she needed Roman support,

or, more specifically, Caesar’s support, if she was to regain

her throne. Caesar and Cleopatra became lovers and spent

the winter besieged in Alexandria. Roman reinforcements

arrived the following spring, and Ptolemy XIII fled and

drowned in the Nile. Cleopatra, now married to her

brother Ptolemy XIV, was restored to her throne. In June

of 47, she gave birth to Ptolemy Caesar (known to the

people of Alexandria as Caesarion, or “little Caesar”).

Whether Caesar was the father of Caesarion, as his name

implies, is not known. Cleopatra was in Rome when

Caesar was murdered in 44, after which she returned to

Alexandria. Shortly thereafter, her coruler, Ptolemy XIV,

died, and Cleopatra now ruled with her infant son,

Ptolemy XV Caesar.