Barely anything is known about Cleopatra’s early life. For instance, she was born in the winter of 69 B.C., in Egypt, to her mother and father. Cleopatra’s full name was Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator – meaning Cleopatra the father loving goddess. Also, history shows that Cleopatra was highly educated and smart. ”Well – educated and clever, Cleopatra could speak various languages….” (History.com, page 1) Without Cleopatra history would be very different.
Cleopatra’s family was very interesting. Her family had been the rulers of Egypt for a long time. Cleopatra’s father was Ptolemy XII (Auletes). Also, he was the ruler of Egypt before her. Auletes died in 51 B.C. No one knows definitely who Cleopatra’s mother was, but some say that it was her …show more content…
Even so, she was a very good queen. “Cleopatra held the country together and proved to be as powerful a leader as any of her male counterparts.” (Biography.com, page 2) Soon after Cleopatra’s father died, she and one of her brothers assumed control of Egypt. Unfortunately, Cleopatra was also destined to be the last queen of the Macedonian dynasty to rule over Egypt. Quickly after she began her rule, she was banished from Egypt by her brother, and she had to flee to Syria. There, in Syria, she gathered up an army, and then returned to Egypt in 48 B.C. to face her in Pelusium. Not much is known about the outcome of the confrontation, besides that temporary peace ensued. Cleopatra’s reign was very …show more content…
For example, Shakespeare was inspired by her life to write a play about her and Antony. Also, most of what we know about Cleopatra comes from what Plutarch and other Greco – Roman scholars wrote about her in their books. No wonder so many books and movies have been created about Cleopatra because she was so “daring, clever, smart, rich, determined, and rash….” (Susan, page 1) Cleopatra even had herself smuggled in to Caesar’s palace to ask him to him to help her! Many different people were inspired by her.
Cleopatra – and her life – was very controversial. Recently, there has been a debate about her “racial heritage”. (History.com, page 4) It is not clear whether Cleopatra was of Greek descent, or if she had been of African descent. Also, after Cleopatra’s death Octavian maliciously destroyed all of the public records in which Cleopatra was portrayed as a good queen. Consequently, different cultures have other variations on what Cleopatra had been like. However, regardless of how she looked or acted, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator changed history so it would never be the same
Cleopatra’s family was very interesting. Her family had been the rulers of Egypt for a long time. Cleopatra’s father was Ptolemy XII (Auletes). Also, he was the ruler of Egypt before her. Auletes died in 51 B.C. No one knows definitely who Cleopatra’s mother was, but some say that it was her …show more content…
Even so, she was a very good queen. “Cleopatra held the country together and proved to be as powerful a leader as any of her male counterparts.” (Biography.com, page 2) Soon after Cleopatra’s father died, she and one of her brothers assumed control of Egypt. Unfortunately, Cleopatra was also destined to be the last queen of the Macedonian dynasty to rule over Egypt. Quickly after she began her rule, she was banished from Egypt by her brother, and she had to flee to Syria. There, in Syria, she gathered up an army, and then returned to Egypt in 48 B.C. to face her in Pelusium. Not much is known about the outcome of the confrontation, besides that temporary peace ensued. Cleopatra’s reign was very …show more content…
For example, Shakespeare was inspired by her life to write a play about her and Antony. Also, most of what we know about Cleopatra comes from what Plutarch and other Greco – Roman scholars wrote about her in their books. No wonder so many books and movies have been created about Cleopatra because she was so “daring, clever, smart, rich, determined, and rash….” (Susan, page 1) Cleopatra even had herself smuggled in to Caesar’s palace to ask him to him to help her! Many different people were inspired by her.
Cleopatra – and her life – was very controversial. Recently, there has been a debate about her “racial heritage”. (History.com, page 4) It is not clear whether Cleopatra was of Greek descent, or if she had been of African descent. Also, after Cleopatra’s death Octavian maliciously destroyed all of the public records in which Cleopatra was portrayed as a good queen. Consequently, different cultures have other variations on what Cleopatra had been like. However, regardless of how she looked or acted, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator changed history so it would never be the same