Strengths And Role Of Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII could be considered the Queen of the Kings (Samson 1985:103). She had the title of a Pharaoh, but not the blood of an Egyptian as she was a Greek (Samson 1985:103). Cleopatra was not only a great beauty, but possessed charm, determination and great intelligence which contributed to her strength as a ruler (Samson 1985:103). The Egyptians seemed to have no problem being ruled by a woman as Cleopatra was Pharaoh of Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (Ashton 2008:72). She was politically opposed and hated, but personally respected and honoured (Samson 1985:107). This essay will investigate the reign of Cleopatra, her strengths, challenges, and the relationships she entered in her life as Pharaoh, exploring what made her a formidable …show more content…
He intrigued Cleopatra as she was surrounded by weakness and disloyalty, despite him being more than twice her age (Samson 1985:111). Their union was not only sexual, but also political, military and economical (Watterson 1991:141). Caesar conquered the Greek city of Alexandria and Egypt at the time when Cleopatra was suspected to have been carrying his child (Samson 1985:114). Despite them not marrying, Cleopatra had remained loyal and had stayed with Caesar’s forces, which led to Caesar setting Cleopatra back on her throne with her younger half-brother Ptolemy XIV instead of annexing Egypt to Rome as the Alexandrians feared (Samson …show more content…
Antony returned with Cleopatra to Egypt for the winter of 41-40 B.C. (Samson 1985:128). Cleopatra constantly accompanied Antony, sharing his pleasure in gaming, hunting, and fishing (Samson 1985:129). The dramatic couple quickly became linked in people’s minds with the gods: Antony with Bacchus (Dionysus) whom the Greeks associated with Osiris; and Cleopatra with Venus (Aphrodite) and distantly associated with Isis (Samson 1985:127). In 40 B.C. Antony concluded a dynastic marriage with Octavia, the sister of Octavian (Watterson 1991:143). In the same year, Cleopatra bore him twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, and five years later she bore him another son, Ptolemy Philadelphus (Watterson 1991:143). Antony and Cleopatra had great ambitions for their children, with the goal of setting up an empire for them (Watterson 1991:144). This led to them landing up in conflict with Rome, and led to them fighting Octavian in the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. (Watterson 1991:144). The Battle of Actium was a sea battle which Antony had no desire in partaking in, as he would rather have met Octavian on land, however Cleopatra insisted that he get involved (Watterson 1991:144). At a time when the outcome of the battle had not been