Who Was Cleopatra?
Mythology, propaganda, Liz Taylor and the real Queen of the Nile
- By Amy Crawford
- Smithsonian.com, April 01, 2007, Subscribe
The struggle with her teenage brother over the throne of Egypt was not going as well as Cleopatra VII had hoped. In 49 B.C., Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII—also her husband and, by the terms of their father's will, her co-ruler—had driven his sister from the palace at Alexandria after Cleopatra attempted to make herself the sole sovereign. The queen, then in her early twenties, fled to Syria and returned with a mercenary army, setting up camp just outside the capital.
Meanwhile, pursuing a military rival who had fled to Egypt, the Roman general Julius Caesar arrived at Alexandria in the summer of 48 B.C., and found himself drawn into the Egyptian family feud. For decades Egypt had been a subservient ally to Rome, and preserving the stability of the Nile Valley, with its great agricultural wealth, was in Rome's economic interest. Caesar took up residence at Alexandria's royal palace and summoned the warring siblings for a peace conference, which he planned to arbitrate. But Ptolemy XIII's forces barred the return of the king's sister to Alexandria. Aware that Caesar's diplomatic intervention could help her regain the throne, Cleopatra hatched a scheme to sneak herself into the palace for an audience with Caesar. She persuaded her servant Apollodoros to wrap her in a carpet (or, according to some sources, a sack used for storing bedclothes), which he then presented to the 52-year old Roman.
The image of young Cleopatra tumbling out of an unfurled carpet has been dramatized in nearly every film about her, from the silent era to a 1999 TV miniseries, but it was also a key scene in the real Cleopatra's staging of her own life. "She was clearly using all her talents from the moment she arrived on the world stage before Caesar," says Egyptologist Joann Fletcher, author of a forthcoming biography, Cleopatra the Great.
Like most monarchs of her time, Cleopatra saw herself as divine; from birth she and other members of her family were declared to be gods and goddesses. Highly image-conscious, Cleopatra maintained her mystique through shows of splendor, identifying herself with the deities Isis and Aphrodite, and in effect creating much of the mythology that surrounds her to this day. Though Hollywood versions of her story are jam-packed with anachronisms, embellishments, exaggerations and inaccuracies, the Cleopatras of Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh and Claudette Colbert do share with the real queen a love of pageantry. "Cleopatra was a mistress of disguise and costume," says Fletcher. "She could reinvent herself to suit the occasion, and I think that's a mark of the consummate politician."
When Cleopatra emerged from the carpet—probably somewhat disheveled, but dressed in her best finery—and begged Caesar for aid, the gesture won over Rome's future dictator-for-life. With his help Cleopatra regained Egypt's throne. Ptolemy XIII rebelled against the armistice that Caesar had imposed, but in the ensuing civil war he drowned in the Nile, leaving Cleopatra safely in power.
Though Cleopatra bore him a son, Caesar was already married, and Egyptian custom decreed that Cleopatra marry her remaining brother, Ptolemy XIV. Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C., and with her ally gone Cleopatra had Ptolemy XIV killed to prevent any challenges to her son's succession. To solidify her grip on the throne, she dispatched her rebellious sister Arsinoe as well. Such ruthlessness was not only a common feature of Egyptian dynastic politics in Cleopatra's day, it was necessary to ensure her own survival and that of her son. With all domestic threats removed, Cleopatra set about the business of ruling Egypt, the richest nation in the Mediterranean world, and the last to remain independent of Rome.
What kind of pharaoh was Cleopatra? The few remaining contemporary Egyptian sources suggest that she was very popular among her own people. Egypt's Alexandria-based rulers, including Cleopatra, were ethnically Greek, descended from Alexander the Great's general Ptolemy I Soter. They would have spoken Greek and observed Greek customs, separating themselves from the ethnically Egyptian majority. But unlike her forebears, Cleopatra actually bothered to learn the Egyptian language. For Egyptian audiences, she commissioned portraits of herself in the traditional Egyptian style. In one papyrus dated to 35 B.C. Cleopatra is called Philopatris, "she who loves her country." By identifying herself as a truly Egyptian pharaoh, Cleopatra used patriotism to cement her position.
Cleopatra's foreign policy goal, in addition to preserving her personal power, was to maintain Egypt's independence from the rapidly expanding Roman Empire. By trading with Eastern nations—Arabia and possibly as far away as India—she built up Egypt's economy, bolstering her country's status as a world power. By allying herself with Roman general Mark Antony, Cleopatra hoped to keep Octavian, Julius Caesar's heir and Antony's rival, from making Egypt a vassal to Rome. Ancient sources make it clear that Cleopatra and Antony did love each other and that Cleopatra bore Antony three children; still, the relationship was also very useful to an Egyptian queen who wished to expand and protect her empire.
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Comments (205)
I love how you tell what the peolpe and things are about I was look to find like who Cleopatra was what she did and who she was I found what I needed thank you.
Posted by parris overby on May 5,2013 | 07:18 PM
that was a very story about cloeprata you sure did a good job!keep writing incourage yourself to write more!
Posted by amiyia on April 25,2013 | 07:01 PM
Fantastic
Posted by Marilyn on April 25,2013 | 09:49 AM
Very good info.
Posted by Lorrishamae on April 4,2013 | 01:55 PM
no doubt cleopatra was a different beauty
Posted by s n rasool on March 2,2013 | 10:43 AM
cleo has a cool life.
Posted by reese on February 24,2013 | 12:21 PM
People wonder if she was pretty. Don't forget that she died in b.c., and standards of beauty have been re-defined over and over. She may have been beautiful to them, but not so much to us.
Posted by Angela on February 23,2013 | 06:41 PM
i am also doing this for my project and it is very informational as well
Posted by hihi on February 21,2013 | 04:06 PM
cleo is the best
Posted by a'kalysia rodgers on February 21,2013 | 02:15 PM
I think she was a goddess and a force to be recogined with,she represented the true beauty of a woman and did that with grace
Posted by bongiwe dube on February 21,2013 | 06:27 AM
Cleopatra was from Eqypt and she isn't white!!!! This history is bull. And she's ugly too.
Posted by whitemadness on February 16,2013 | 04:03 PM
that lady was not actually pretty, i think there are more many beautifull ladies than her! even myself i`m more than her
Posted by on February 14,2013 | 07:21 AM
I was allways interstead in roman histoty cleopatra
Posted by john picazo on February 13,2013 | 06:27 PM
for @cleo me i need that for my report. what was her affect on the world!! Or socail justice
Posted by jen on February 3,2013 | 02:01 PM
I didn't know who cleaopatra was until now. I do wish that they will put in some more information.
Posted by lynn moore on February 2,2013 | 07:54 AM
Was cleopatra pretty when she was alive?
Posted by Rebeckah on January 15,2013 | 02:29 PM
wow this was very informational thank you cleopatra is my fav part of studing egyption stuff if you like a nice long read look for "The memouirs of cleopatra" it is an amazing book!!!! have a nice read and thank you for posting this it was enjoyable:)
Posted by Arianna Stemp on December 19,2012 | 11:10 AM
verry informatinoal
Posted by haileigh on December 19,2012 | 09:24 AM
OMG!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THIS PAGE ITS MY FAV
Posted by jordan on December 13,2012 | 09:01 PM
This site is AWESOME!!! Thank you so much!!!
Posted by Kelly on December 13,2012 | 08:48 PM
this site is very useful. im using this site and another one for my project. very detailed site.... just might get a good grade
Posted by Jada on December 10,2012 | 05:38 PM
very helpful
Posted by sam on December 10,2012 | 05:00 PM
What was cleopatras affect on the world
Posted by Cleo on December 10,2012 | 12:57 PM
i have something to say. cleo and me grew up together on a small farm in wyoming. it was a simple life. just us and a few cows, chicken, and crocidiles. and she told me this... if people ever thought she was egyptian to say "awh hellz naw!"
Posted by King Tutty on December 10,2012 | 12:48 PM
awesome love it had to do research lots of info!!!1
Posted by Kristine on December 10,2012 | 11:32 AM
This website is extremely helpful when looking for information on Cleopatra! I got an A on my project and got most of my information from this site! Thanks!
Posted by Samantha on December 6,2012 | 02:03 PM
She had a crazy life
Posted by amanda on December 3,2012 | 07:40 PM
love cleopatra
Posted by hey on December 3,2012 | 10:16 AM
i knew THE GREAT QUEEN CLEOPATRA ever since i was young and became inspired with her story thats why i came to call myself cleopatra the great.....she is really a legend and my idol
Posted by cleopatra on November 30,2012 | 02:53 AM
thank you!
Posted by wolfie765 on November 28,2012 | 02:06 PM
Cleopatra is your idol? I suppose it's your dream to have all your siblings murdered in cold blood, betray your people, and sell your body for power.
Posted by Nina Rutter on November 27,2012 | 07:28 PM
I love the pic of her you know
Posted by cassandra strattis on November 20,2012 | 11:51 AM
im too lazy to reed it!!!
Posted by Jessica Kim on November 13,2012 | 01:09 PM
Cleopatra is my idol:)
Posted by Braxton Anderson on November 6,2012 | 04:14 PM
i like her when was she born
Posted by sam on October 27,2012 | 10:26 PM
oh cleopatra ! i hipnotise by your life style and dynamic rule, your foreign affair left behind the stategy of the your rule, there no doubt, you were so beautiful as the your inteligent reason did all the thing which dynamic ruller does ratilal chavan
Posted by ratilal chavan on October 26,2012 | 06:46 AM
cleapatra is a very pretty girl
Posted by soro on October 25,2012 | 01:16 PM
Wow, you really helped me with my project. I had to research, and I was getting kind of desperate for good info. Thanks=)
Posted by Belle on October 21,2012 | 08:43 AM
Hail to da queen!.....queen cleopatra.
Posted by Hunter on October 16,2012 | 10:57 PM
BC stands for Before Christ... BCE means Before Common Era. just a little help for anyone who's confused
Posted by jessica on October 15,2012 | 10:10 PM
I was wonderind what b.c. means
Posted by Kylie on October 14,2012 | 06:00 PM
This site really helped me with my cleopatra project, it was really helpful thanks!
Posted by Asia on October 13,2012 | 09:52 PM
hey how is cleopatra so famous its just i dont know who it is cuz she wasnt my time
Posted by whiney brinks on October 10,2012 | 03:58 PM
why is Cleopatra famous???
Posted by jasmyn on October 10,2012 | 01:32 PM
U should really make this more easy to understand!!!!
Posted by Jasmyn on October 10,2012 | 01:29 PM
this really heloed me on my assiment but its a little to long!!!!!!:]
Posted by destiny swope on October 9,2012 | 03:52 PM
It is to long
Posted by Marta Baro on October 9,2012 | 06:05 AM
A very good article, it helped me a lot with a project I was researching. And, I saw some people commented rage comments, its just an article, why do you need to rage at it?
Posted by Sabre on October 1,2012 | 06:34 PM
Well i found the content very intresting and justful
Posted by Antara on September 18,2012 | 05:50 AM
Well i found the content very intresting and justful
Posted by Antara on September 18,2012 | 05:50 AM
I love to read history and its good to understand something from our past so am willing to know everything about history. so send me every time some good study material by mail.Am so thankful of your. Thanks Arjun singh Rawat
Posted by Arjun Singh Rawat on September 13,2012 | 10:58 AM
cool beans
Posted by on September 10,2012 | 05:08 PM
how many husbands did she have?
Posted by monda on September 7,2012 | 12:38 PM
Wow you people are ridiculous. If you are that desperate to know these ?s you ask why don't you look it up. Like cleopatras kids with Mark Antony were spared by Augustus to make him look by the people. Caesarian was of course killed by Augustus to eliminate his threat for the throne. Oh and cleopatra was not black just like Jesus wasn't and Santa Claus, she was of Greek descent not African I don't know how that is so hard to understand. She is not as great as people want to believe, people make her out as a god or a legend but in reality she was a fool who led to her demise and death.
Posted by Octavian on August 21,2012 | 05:39 AM
this is awesome stuff, it helped me on my assignment
Posted by Emmily on July 19,2012 | 05:25 AM
Great Caesar's ghost! Kids: please read for comprehension (understanding). Too many of you are skimming the article, then typing mindlessly, in a panic because your reports are due. Many of your questions are answered in the article. If not, use the internet to research your answers. Proofread, spellcheck, do something! Right now, most of you are on blast for sounding foolish...don't be *that* guy.
Posted by Calpurnia on June 18,2012 | 02:40 AM
how many people did cleopatra love and name and explain. and hurry my assignment is due tomorrow
Posted by abazing on June 13,2012 | 09:07 AM
im doin a project on her so it helped me alot! :)
Posted by joe cool on May 30,2012 | 10:27 AM
cool
Posted by on May 30,2012 | 10:24 AM
The name of the Son was cesarian (or something like that)
Posted by name on May 28,2012 | 05:29 PM
I may be cleopatra for Halloween
Posted by Lily on May 26,2012 | 03:59 PM
i didnt like this at all it didnt help needs more info thanks
Posted by valerie on May 22,2012 | 08:39 PM
No, Cleopatra was not of African descent. She was of Greek descent. Egypt was a conquered territory and she was the descendant of the Greek family that had been installed to rule that territory. We know her family tree. She was Greek and must have looked Greek. There is no P.C. reason to pretend Cleopatra was African. If we want to see a brilliant black ruler from that time, there are many examples in Africa. The reason we don't know more about them is because we don't know enough about Africa's political history. Let's find out more about that fascinating subject and avoid historical rewrites-- we don't need to go into the realm of fantasy to identify brilliant black African rulers. Just like at any other time, there were brilliant people of every race around in 30 B.C.
Posted by Siara Delyn on May 13,2012 | 09:05 PM
Good article - Can't understand the focus on her skin color etc. She was a Greek descendant of Alexander's Greek general Ptolemy. The rulers practiced Egyptian practice of incest so never intermingled with native Egyptians. Hence she was essentially "Greek" in physical appearance. Why does this surprise anyone? The British Hanover monarchs were German after all ... This article does expose the bias against strong woman rulers in the ancient world. I have read that she was loved by her people whatever her origins. To answer one question Cleopatra's children were Caesarion (by Caesar), Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene, and Ptolemy Philadelphos (by Mark Antony). Octavian had Caesarion killed but the three children of Cleopatra and Antony were spared and taken back to Rome where they were taken care of by Antony's wife, Octavia. Lots of good books around about her interesting life.
Posted by Alexandria on May 11,2012 | 10:02 AM
wow this is so totally awesome
Posted by tabatha rickard on May 9,2012 | 11:17 PM
North African people are lighter skinned than some other areas in Africa. Since she was Greek, she would have more of a southern European look. Most of the comments seem to be from kids: almost demanding information about "her tomb" and the person who "kinda" needs some information about her son. Uh....just do your own resource and google that! Amazing how rude and demanding these comments are.
Posted by Bill on May 9,2012 | 01:37 PM
Can you someday make the passage shorter like to sumerize it up?That would be great if you could do it today.
Posted by Why do you need to know my name? on May 7,2012 | 09:33 AM
Okay, first, who cares isf she was of African decent!! Not a huge deal that she's not the movie-based, Elizabeth Taylor, Cleopatra we all thought she was, geez, some of us are trying to do reports and are getting all confused. Second, it doesn't say the name of her son, does anyone got any info on that? I sorta need the information for a report
Posted by Sydney on May 3,2012 | 03:24 PM
In truth the people who complain about her being portrayed with light skin are wrong in truth she odds are had light skin because truthfully she was not "Egyptian" by the usual definition. Her family was Macedonian in origin which would yes in turn make them european so that is how she would look. That is like saying that a German family who lived in Africa for 4 generations would have dark skinned. They would just get tanner and get a lot of sunburn ;-)
Posted by ChaosRevanLord on May 2,2012 | 10:53 AM
nothing about her tomb please give info about her tomb thanks
Posted by blbl on May 2,2012 | 03:24 AM
boring
Posted by meeeeeeeeee on April 27,2012 | 03:21 PM
Thanks. This was very helpful!
Posted by Katie on April 16,2012 | 11:16 PM
i love all this info it is great to have someone interested in this history
Posted by nuquile on April 13,2012 | 01:36 PM
i like this. its helpful.
Posted by sabrina on April 10,2012 | 10:00 AM
i like this a lot. It tells a lot:)
Posted by bailey lepper on April 2,2012 | 02:11 PM
She was technically Macedonian and her family had little claim to power in Egypt until they took it and started calling themselves Egyptian.
Posted by A. Sunier on March 26,2012 | 10:09 AM
How does she have the features of an African? I'm also doing a report and saw that comment. She's Egyptian but considers herself Greek.
Posted by Eatcake on March 20,2012 | 10:40 PM
After reading this, one would believe, there were no Black African Egyptians......
Posted by LarryJ on March 18,2012 | 09:11 PM
For those who made comments about her ethnicity, Egyptian ethnicity shifted throughout known history. There were differing branches peoples who became and then dominated this land. We may never come closer than the coin mentioned in knowing what she looked like, but we know she didn't look like Elizabeth Taylor.
Posted by Fred on March 9,2012 | 02:16 PM
Okay. Cleopatra was *Egyptian*. It's pretty safe to assume she had African features.
And even if she didn't...why does suggesting she did make people so upset?
One of the comments below disturbs me...are you saying African features can't be beautiful?
We need to rethink our image of Cleopatra. Why did everyone portray her as light-skinned, with European features?
What does that say about our culture and beauty ideals?
Think about it. (It's not good...we all grew up picturing a light-skinned Cleopatra!)
And then accept it.
Cleopatra was likely not the fair-skinned movie Cleopatra we all have in mind. And that is awesome.
Posted by MaryDee on March 3,2012 | 01:05 AM
This resource was helpful.
Posted by pizza on March 2,2012 | 09:04 AM
For the person who talked about her sister Arsinoe it is important to remember that Cleopatra and Arsinoe were half sisters. They had the same father but different mothers that is why Arsinoe was considered to have more African in her. As for Cleopatra they don't know who her mother is exactly but they have a guess between two women. Neither of whom were from African Decent. Rather they come from the Macedonian blood line.
As for her children, her son with Julius Caesar, Caesarian was killed by Octavian while he was fleeing the country. I believe her other three kids with Marc Antony were taken to live with Antony's wife in Rome. Cleopatra Selene went on to marry King Juba II. While no record remains of what happened to her twin or her other brother.
Overall, you can't deny that Cleopatra as a woman was extremely smart for her time. She did what she had to do in order to keep herself Queen and to protect her children.
I just hope that in my lifetime someone will find her tomb and possibly her skeleton along with some histories that they believe are buried with her.
Posted by Vanessa on February 8,2012 | 08:51 PM
i think that cleopatra's culture is amazing and truly interesting.
Posted by aliza on February 7,2012 | 12:35 PM
Very interesting and reader friendly. I wonder what happened to her children?
Posted by lamb on February 1,2012 | 04:10 PM
Very interesting and reader friendly. I wonder what happened to her children?
Posted by lamb on February 1,2012 | 04:10 PM
I love this. Doing a book review on a book on cleopatra and this is perfect. Thank you
Posted by Zoe on January 17,2012 | 05:38 PM
wow i am blown away at how beautifully incredibly awesome she was i thought this piece was fantastic.love yours truly kylie
Posted by kylie on January 3,2012 | 05:12 PM
Well they just reconstructed the facial features of her sister arsinoe and they concluded that she had partial african features. So maybe they need to reconsider Cleopatra as well.
Posted by MC on January 1,2012 | 06:06 PM
a beautifully and concisely written article which revealed the true history of Cleopatra
Posted by Lavender on December 31,2011 | 10:32 PM
what was the secret of her beauty truly? i have read somewhere it was donkey's milk .i don't believe that she was fat n black.she might have mastered hipnotism oterwise shecouldn't pet a leopard and influenced julius ceaser n antony.she was really cunning which quality is seen in most of the politicians even today.she was a greek origin monarch but dressed like an egyptian in a coin, this shows she loved the culture of egypt.she did everything for getting Rome but faced a tragic end.
i've read about cleopatra in BRITANICA.your article is really very good & i got more information from some of the comments.so thanks for the informations i didn't know.i want know what happened to her kids after her?
Posted by agnihori nahak on December 20,2011 | 07:06 PM
This was really helpful for one of my projects in History class! I love learning about Cleopatra!!
Posted by Alexis Nicole on December 10,2011 | 09:12 AM
Thanks so much! REALLY helped with my report that was a FINAL! Thanks to this bio I got 100%... well and other sources.... but still.... GREAT STUFF! LOVE CLEOPATRA! (:
Posted by Tayler on December 1,2011 | 09:38 PM
They say that Cleopatra Was Greek i didnt see that in the artical sorry if i missed it but is she?
Posted by ToxicCreeper123 on November 28,2011 | 12:52 PM
I just watched a special on history channel and indeed Cleopatra was of African decent. I enjoy learning about history and this article was interesting.
Posted by tanis hatch on September 18,2011 | 02:34 AM
shes a good person
Posted by dane poopy face on June 22,2011 | 09:23 PM
Beautiful !
Posted by jim on April 26,2011 | 01:34 PM
thanks it was a great use to my project
Posted by vitory on April 5,2011 | 09:56 AM
Roman History is fishy. I blame Octavian and William Shakespeare for lies which have been propagated and I happen to know facts different than legend. Marc Antony, a ruler of Rome, was lovers with Cleopatra, the ruler of Egypt; in 30 B.C.E., as their regime was collapsing, Marc Antony — an accomplice then to murder — let two other men with containers of green and black snakes (asps and adders) into his and her room where Cleopatra slept, and he got bitten himself murdering her. Marc Antony then ran away from the scene and told people that Cleopatra had arranged the “suicide”.
Posted by Kenneth on April 4,2011 | 11:05 AM
Cleopatra was Greek; her direct ancestor, the first Ptolemy, Ptolemy Soter came from Greece with Alexander the Great. Alexander, btw, was Macedonian and definitely not black/African as we understand what that means. She was also a product of extensive incestuous intermarriage; thus they would've looked a lot like each other. She certainly wouldn't have looked like a fair European. On the coins, she has quite a large nose.
Posted by Kay Bowring on March 25,2011 | 06:56 PM
if cleopatra was black, then everybody reading her history should be told so, plus all her other achievements.
Posted by wairimu on March 15,2011 | 06:23 PM
this helped me a lot im in 6th and i had to write a report about this lady
Posted by shar on March 9,2011 | 02:43 PM
this helped my a lot !
Posted by Kaitlyn on March 6,2011 | 09:09 PM
its a nice story of cleopatara. i liked it very much.
Posted by jean on January 24,2011 | 02:28 AM
Cleopatra committed suicide with snake venom this helped me with my history project thanks so much!!
Posted by ashanti on January 18,2011 | 01:48 PM
This is a load of European revisionist B.S.! I'm from North Africa, and people there are sick and tired of Europeans and Americans denying who Kleopatra truly was. The History that is cited as to her lineage was written 100 Years after her death! The Roman women said that when Kleopatra came to Rome she was "fat and Black" Why do you think her association with Caesar caused such an uproar in Rome? The last thing the people of Rome wanted was a half-African heir to the throne.They didn't go to war with Egpypt just for the fun of it! That's why Caesar was killed outside the Senate and why they pursued Kleopatra all the way to Egypt. The war was all about Race and maintaining the European purity of Caesar's lineage. Why do Europeans insist on revising history?
Posted by NURREDIN on December 18,2010 | 01:13 AM
this is a really awesome article..... it helped me so much on my history report. thnxs!!!
Posted by stephanie on December 14,2010 | 08:59 PM
thanks 4 dis article!it helped me alot on mr.jones world history facebook project!
Posted by missy on November 29,2010 | 07:52 PM
i think cleopatra was a very magestic person
Posted by alea on November 24,2010 | 11:38 AM
More then half of everyones questions are awnsered in the text. just read it again
Posted by on November 8,2010 | 03:19 PM
I am in 6TH too,i'm doing a report on her cuz' all of my classmates had to choose someone or something to do a report on.I've been through agazillllllion sites and this is the only interesting one i've read so far.I'm done,finaly!!!!thanks alot really!!!
Posted by Coryn Brock on November 3,2010 | 06:10 PM
It is thought that she herself killed her brother by poisoning him. She did this after the death of Julius. She was afraid that she would lose the thrown to her brother now that she no longer had the support of Julius.
Posted by Maria on October 31,2010 | 02:01 PM
how did she die and why did she kill her brother
Posted by nick kinder on October 27,2010 | 01:54 PM
oh thanks i'm in 6th and this has realy helped me with my prodject. thanks a millon.
Posted by cameron on October 18,2010 | 08:04 PM
that actualy was very interesting but id like to know more about how she died tnx
Posted by victoria on September 13,2010 | 08:37 PM
i am 10 years of age and i borrowed a book from the library about CLEOPATRA and it was intresting i actually read the whole 7 chapters.
Posted by gloria on August 25,2010 | 09:10 PM
It is a strong article that shows a glance about Egyptian History on the light of the famous queen Cleopatra .
Posted by Sintayehu on August 17,2010 | 09:32 AM
Could you please tell me who has wrote this article? I'm sorry I just can't seem to be able to track the author or their credibilities down. Please help, thank you so much.
Posted by Jessie on August 11,2010 | 07:22 PM
really intresting story,,,it helps me lot to kno abt beautifull cleopatra.thanx everyone...............
Posted by happah on June 30,2010 | 02:34 AM
hello........ i am doing a report on cleopatra i would have to say ive read about 50 to 100 actiles on her and by far urs is the best i hope u keep on writing bc welll like i hate social studies but last year when i started reading acticles i liked them but i made a quiz up and it seems like kids like reading about anicent people then anicent things or wars or something but thx to this writer bc if without u i wpuld prob make an f im so excited to do the project this friday so wish me luck but thx to u the writer.......
Posted by taylor on May 17,2010 | 06:36 PM
this was very interesting and helpful but i need to know two more people who were close to her... any help?
Posted by brie STANDLEA on May 10,2010 | 06:09 PM
A very intersting, satisfying as well as factual article on Cleopatra I never came across.
Thanks for such a useful piece of information.
Posted by aa11bbcc@gmail.com on May 10,2010 | 07:48 AM
this article was very interesting!!! i need more info for a school paper! can you help?
Posted by gabrielle on May 5,2010 | 05:57 PM
this was cool. i guess, but i need some more info for a school final project. any hints?
Posted by meeeeee! on April 20,2010 | 10:06 AM
This was a very nice article I have to say....
This was a source for my Research Report. I had a book as one of my sources. It showed much of details, but also added other details that weren't really needed. I think this article has all of the details. It was a great source.
Posted by Avery on April 7,2010 | 11:43 PM
she committed sucide
Posted by colton on April 7,2010 | 02:25 PM
I know EVERYTHING about cleopatra. I even know how she died.Its eazy she got bit by a posiones snake.
Posted by Natalia on April 4,2010 | 05:29 PM
I got a lot of good information from this, but I agree with that lady up there.. I would like to get a little more information of her earlier life and education. Does anyone have any suggestions of where I could get that information. Maybe a website or a good book? I'll keep searching around myself, but if anyone knows anything you really should let me know(: Thanks. And thanks for the article. It was really a good source for my paper.
Posted by Ashlynne on March 26,2010 | 10:31 AM
What are the names of the two poes referenced in the article?
Posted by Blondie on March 8,2010 | 09:41 PM
I am doing a school report on Cleopatra. I just wanted to say thanks for this article, it really helped me understand more about her. But I have one question I can't answer, What affect does Cleopatra have on us today?
Posted by Hannah on March 5,2010 | 09:54 AM
she was bit by a snake
Posted by rikdut furder on February 25,2010 | 04:18 PM
I heard that Cleopatra perfected a form a hypnosis/brainwashing without technology.
Posted by Mary Ekatrina on February 16,2010 | 01:20 PM
i have a project on cleopatra and need some help with my notes!!!plz let me know if you have any notes to give me but just make sure that they r not already posted on the internet!!! PLZ
Posted by jorda on February 3,2010 | 04:57 PM
this gives lots of information thanks alot for the help.
Posted by Jordyn Claiborne on January 13,2010 | 12:25 PM
I am doing a project on her and I coud really get an A+ of really listening to this.
Posted by Tiana on January 11,2010 | 12:12 PM
I'm doing a project and need to know a little bit more about hr legacy. Help?
Posted by wildfire on January 6,2010 | 07:02 PM
cool
Posted by nn on January 5,2010 | 11:20 AM
We have found many coins ,wehre clepatra picture was engraved, from south india is showing her dynasty had good business relation with Indian sub continent.
Posted by basheer on December 10,2009 | 04:43 AM
wow im doing a project on Cleopatra and she is interesting thank you for helping me in understanding and knowing more about her!
Posted by maddy on December 7,2009 | 10:37 PM
well thanks for letting me know all this stuff it is interresting.
Posted by asas on December 3,2009 | 12:21 PM
im doin a report on kleopatra im in sixth grade at armagosa creek middle school
Posted by corey on November 24,2009 | 09:52 PM
Have any of you ever heard of the following:
A. SpellCheck
B. Wikipedia?
Posted by Publius on November 3,2009 | 04:37 PM
This article should of started with her earlier days, I'm doing a book report on her soo I wanted to know her earlier life and THEN her affairs with these men, then her ruling in Egypt. She's very smart, she actually knew several landuages...which I don't think is included in this acticle. Cleopatra VII has always fastinated me since I saw small show of her. My visions of her were: selfish, uncaring, too beautiful to describe, and cold-hearted. But I was wrong, she WAS beautiful but in a way that is sexually actractive not beautiful beautiful.
She had two older sisters by blood I believe, the eldest was named Cleopatra Tryphaena VI who was vain in every way that you can think of. She thought even the best jewls were rubish and treated them like dirty clothes. She and Cleopatra VII were never close. Tryphaena was killed by her father's supporters, and if I'm correct, in 57 B.C.
Cleopatra's other older sister, Berenice IV was her closest sister/friend. Berenice was kind-hearted and was said to been a poor ruler for she was too "soft hearted" while Tryphaena was cruel and harsh. Berenice ruled 57 B.C. to 55 B.C. until her father ordered her exacution.
Cleopatra was also said to be the favorite of her Father, which I believe is true.
As it said in this acticle she had two brothers, and which she both married.
She also had a younger sister Arinoe. Arinoe was as selfish and vain as Typhaena, and Cleopatra cleverly knew she had to rid of her as soon as she became queen. Arinoe was rumored to be prettier than Cleopatra...but we don't know for sure if its true or not.
If you want to know more about Cleopatra Philopator VII, I suggest the library (of course), the internet(of course) and the Royal Diaries Series.
With all due respect,
B.Y
Posted by Bea on November 2,2009 | 02:50 AM
she had a leparod for her pet but not a cat
Posted by mercedes on November 2,2009 | 08:41 PM
I found this article very interesting, im studying at the Open University and one of my first assisignments is on the relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra. This really helped me and it was in a straight forward format too, not to many words i couldn't understand. Thank you.
Posted by Donna on November 2,2009 | 06:25 AM
There are many websites that say Cleopatra the 7th was born in Egypt, but others say Greece. My Question is was she born in Egypt or Greece, and what about her ancestors since she was the 7th Cleopatra, where were they born?
Posted by Lisa G. on October 27,2009 | 06:32 PM
how was cleopatra clever and a great leader
Posted by on October 14,2009 | 11:25 PM
Beautiful article. Thank you!
Posted by Lauren Benton on October 9,2009 | 09:19 PM
what was her family life like? what were her realtions with her father and siblings? how many siblings did she hvae?
Posted by nick on October 7,2009 | 11:16 AM
any good pics of where cleopatra was born
Posted by NAUTICA on October 1,2009 | 10:17 AM
how did she die
Posted by kayle on September 29,2009 | 08:37 AM
this website has magnificent information about Cleopatra....i am doing a research about her in my history class and this website really helped me a lot...i wonder though where her ambition came from and i wonder if Marc Antony actually drove her insane by his lack of knowledge.....
9/24/09
Posted by Chole on September 24,2009 | 02:24 PM
i think its so great that you posted this on the internet this really helped me because i have a book report on her thats due this week and this was most of the information that i needed
Posted by sadie on September 21,2009 | 05:45 PM
Great entry. Very easy reading. Kudos to the author.
Posted by Elio E Grandi on August 18,2009 | 01:59 PM
I am involved in a disagreement with someone who considers Cleopatra to have been a "DICTATOR".
While I consider her to have been a famours Queen and a formidable Leader of her country, I do not feel that she falls into the category of "Dictator".
I would appreciate feedback from any knowledgeable source who can contribute to our resolving this disagreement, and I'd like to express my thanks, in advance, to all of you who take the time to advise us in this matter.
Posted by Myrna on July 31,2009 | 06:01 PM
she has a jaguar named arrow and i think the cat that is associated to her was her siamese cat but i dont really know for a fact is she did have a siamese cat
Posted by aldwin zapata on June 14,2009 | 11:42 AM
This is a great website for all students i got great information from this website for my History Task. Keep the great effort up!!!!
Posted by Ruby on June 13,2009 | 02:55 AM
This has really good information!!!!!! Keep it up!!!!!:)
Posted by Hannah Briggs on May 10,2009 | 07:12 PM
What was her full date of birth and name?
Posted by debbie on April 19,2009 | 11:11 AM
It matters not if Cleo was beautiful by common standards. We understand that power is the greatest aphrodisiac!
Posted by marie campbell on April 17,2009 | 06:02 PM
She had 4 Children: Ptolemy Caesar - who was the son of Julius Caeser - the people of Egypt nicnamed him Caesarion "little Caesar" because of the resemblence to his father. Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene - twins by Marc Anthony. She named for the twins Apollo and Artemis because Alexander and Cleopatra were born the year of an eclipse. Helios is the sun and Selene the moon. Ptolemy Philadelphos - with Marc Anthony She was married to both men, though neither marriage was accepted by rome because both men were already married and Rome did not recognise forgein marriages. if you would like to read a wonderful fictionalized history of Cleopatra's life pick up Margaret George's "memoirs of Cleopatra" it's about 950 pages but worth every second spent reading.
Posted by janet on March 16,2009 | 09:06 PM
i am doin a project on her and i dont know for sure if she had kids or not but some say she had several but i dont know what to believe i will be checking back in so if u find a website thats names the kids when they were born and who there father is please comment it on here so i can look at the website well thanks.
Posted by krystin on March 15,2009 | 10:29 PM
I've been interested in Cleopatra VII since my early teenage years. Although Hollywood media often portrays Cleopatra VII to use her physical appearance and adultery to achieve what she wanted, [which was power to herself and by that a powerful dominion] i don't think that was all of it, it might of been a very positive contribution to her marriage with Caesar but hey lust fades away, and fast. Whereas this article has perceived that she was a very intelligent woman and also a very wise ruler of her time. That exact intelligence and fidelity to her country is what made them stronger and richer. i guess she was just born to be a leader. i think that this article truly gives her the respect she deserves. Thankyou
Posted by mel omay on March 12,2009 | 08:53 AM
Brilliant. :) Yes, she did have kids. Several with Marc Antony and one with Julius Caesar.
Posted by Kristina on March 8,2009 | 09:10 AM
Of course she had kids! twins and 2 others!!! look online if you don't believe me!!
Posted by Channel on March 7,2009 | 09:41 PM
did cleopatra have any kids?
Posted by on March 3,2009 | 10:13 AM
i have recently read a book about her for a scool project. her life was veryy interseting. i loved the book.
Posted by Jolene on February 27,2009 | 12:38 PM
She was one of the most amazing Queens of Egypt.
Posted by Shonta on February 25,2009 | 01:00 PM
I just ran across a fascinating theory about Cleopatra and her son, Caesarian. Caesarian or "Issa" may have been sent to India where he studied Buddhism. He returns to Jerusalem about 30 years later as Jesus Christ! He does not preach against Rome, as some of his followers had hoped, but said his "kingdom" was in heaven - and that heaven is in our hearts! I won't go into all the details but there is some evidence that Mary's family and Cleopatra were related.
Posted by Peter Ramsey on February 15,2009 | 06:19 PM
am a kenyan and i wanted to know is it true that cleopatra originated from ethiopia?
Posted by ayerer kemboi vincent on February 13,2009 | 12:00 PM
This is the first time that I've actually sat down and read the whole article, without skipping over a lot of it. I found your article very interesting and factual. I learn a lot about a woman that was so different then I had pictured before. Thanks.
Posted by karthik on February 8,2009 | 01:57 AM
IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW POWER, STANDERS OF BEAUTY, LOVE AND GREED WAS SO PRESENT. TODAY THE BATTLE CONTINUES. SOMEONE ONCE SAID THAT ONLY A FOOL WILL CONTINUE DOING THINGS THE SAME WAY, EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS. IF NOTHING ELSE PRAY FOR YOUR GOVERMENT TODAY, AND PRAY FOR CHANGE.
Posted by b.m.w. on February 7,2009 | 11:15 AM
Wow! this is indeed an eye-opener article. I really enjoyed being taken back to history and all that I needed to know about this queen of Egypt. This actually raises the fact that it is only when we rely on the Almighty God, that we can get peacefully what rightfully belongs to us and end us well. Our own strength and knowledge may give us the power at the expense of other people's life and eventually make us loose the peace thereof. Thank you.
Posted by Charity Boateng-Minta on February 4,2009 | 02:45 AM
i use to think that there was one famous and powerful cleopatra but your article has made me to know that she was the 7th cleopatra thanks
Posted by victoria fubara on January 27,2009 | 06:40 AM
Can anyone suggest any good website for pictures of Cleopatra
Posted by Rabia on January 12,2009 | 04:46 AM
My daughter is working on a prodject about Cleopatra VII. I hope someone can help me with a few questions. What was her family like? What was a day like in the life of Cleopatra? Hope you can help
Posted by KIM on January 10,2009 | 03:23 PM
when was celopatra a queen in egypt
Posted by rebecca bryant on December 10,2008 | 01:07 PM
no offence to bem but yes there were a lot of cleopatras and seven were queens... Anthony committed suicide...even the movies got this right so i would like to know where u read that anthony was murdered... Cleopatra would not have been able to be mad at Alexander the great as he was long dead by the time she was born and it was actually Julius Caesar who burnt it down... oh and her real name was actually Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator
Posted by bluecat on November 13,2008 | 10:22 AM
I still don't know which cleopatra invented the basic form of the modern lotion we now have today, but I read all of it
Posted by MNM on September 29,2008 | 07:20 PM
Story of Cleopatra is a story of battle of a woman against the then feudal autocracy of male. She was brilliant and loved her people of Egypt. But the conflicts and hunger of power of her male contemporaries pushed her in power conflicts. Her death is also a tragedy in History. I think her an icon of female liberty.
Posted by Dr. S.K.Das on September 1,2008 | 10:06 PM
Excellent reading on Cleo VII, how could a strong civilisation as Egypt could ever allow Greek being their official language despite having their rich language and also, how could a leopard survives in such a warm climate in Egypt? What is the significant of having a pet in Egypt kingdom and why cat? Thx.
Posted by Devendran Muthusamy on September 1,2008 | 08:43 PM
I believe it was a leopard. I enjoyed reading this article. I want to be an Archaeologist so this arctile was very intresting!
Posted by Alana Halper on August 14,2008 | 01:57 PM
I am interested in knowing what kind of cat breed Cleopatra had?
Posted by Maureen Ward on July 23,2008 | 09:59 AM
gosh, I thought there is only one Cleopatra? so the famous Cleopatra was the seventh?that's quite interesting... I have a question, was Antony assasinated by Octavian? I have read so he was. And did alexander the great burned the library of ashurbanipal in alexandria? cleopatra must have been outraged.haha
Posted by bem on July 17,2008 | 01:17 PM
It was a good article but it makes certain presumptions, for example, it says Cleopatra killed her youngest brother, Ptolemy XIV - but the lad was sickly and may have died of an illness as Cleopatra and her supporters claim. It is certain that she convinced Antony to have her younger sister Arsinoe killed, who was living in exile in Ephesus, because she was an enemy of Cleopatra's. As to her beauty, only Plutarch was quoted, but a Roman historian by the name of Cassius Dio claimed that she was quite beautiful, but remember standards of beauty were way differant 2000 years ago! By the way, the name "Cleopatra" is Greek - it means "the Glory of her father."
Posted by Mark on May 27,2008 | 02:29 AM
I have always love evrithing about Egypt. It has always been so interesting how advance was the whole culture. I have always like studing and reading about ancient Egypt and this article about Cleopatra is very interesting and and very helpful to understand some of the story behind her she seems to be a very strong women that knew what she want it and that she knew how to get it. I think that she had some special beauty within and that she will always be remember as one of the most important people in egyptian life. thank you for the info and keep posting about her and all egypt.
Posted by Nancy on May 24,2008 | 09:21 PM
The author of the article did not explore the possibility that she was assassinated by the Romans -- with all possible eye-witnesses (her servants) dispatched as well. Death-by-snake was clumsy and marginally effective. There are problems with that theory. In any case, to the earlier questioner, yes, her name was Cleopatra -- Cleopatra VII, because she was the seventh of that name.
Posted by Cynthia on May 20,2008 | 01:15 PM
how did she die
Posted by rhiadan on May 11,2008 | 05:32 AM
I had to wright a paper about Cleopatra and this was a really good source and it was interesting.
Posted by Camille C. on May 5,2008 | 11:35 AM
An extremely good article and as the Egyptologist Joan Fletcher is about to bring out a book - Cleopatra the great - I am sure that it will re-open a very exciting page in Egyptian History. It is to her undying credit that she continues to live in our minds today. Perhaps when the finish excavating the old harbour and Cleopatra's Palace at Alexandria they may find her tomb.
Posted by Bernie Hephrun on April 22,2008 | 07:00 PM
I've enjoyed re-reading the above comments on Cleopatria. I'd like very much to be on your "updates list" of the latest discoveries of the ongoing research in the "sands" of Egypt. I worked for an oil company - stationed on Cairo - during 1970s and continuing with my interest. Will much appreciate. Thanks, Mary Eliz. Stump liztuc@sbcglobal.net
Posted by Mary Elizabeth Stump on April 22,2008 | 12:30 PM
Cleopatras sister who was also her servant was the more beautiful one. Octavian had Cleopatras son killed.
Posted by katiesmith on April 14,2008 | 03:44 PM
very wonderful woman
Posted by tugba on March 24,2008 | 09:00 PM
I am from the Philippines and today is Good Friday, time to rekindle the past. I knew about Christ's passion; so I opted to watch ancient history prior to Christ's coming. A few minutes ago, I concluded watching the old movie version of Antony and Cleopatra ( Taylor and Burton starrer). The movie version has a certain degree of fidelity with history; in terms of the data , characters and costumes , characters' behavior and attitude. Since times past,man has been greedy for power and wealth, it has not changed at all!Look at what is happening to my country!Graft and corruption reigns in practically all places! Soon a hundred years from now, the next generation will read about us.. and thy will say the same thing..When will man ever change?
Posted by CJ VILLARANTE on March 20,2008 | 08:46 PM
I was wondering if you could include something about little known facts about cleopatra thx
Posted by Imani (e-mon-e) on March 18,2008 | 04:53 PM
Oh! to have been that woman today.
Posted by G. Brantley on March 16,2008 | 09:34 PM
i think........ how agian did she die?????
Posted by haley on March 15,2008 | 08:43 AM
hi i that articl wan very nice last halloween my mimi made me be cleopatra! i wanted to be a cat but looks like it turned out i was cleopatra. but this halloween i am sure that i will be a cute black cat.
Posted by chloe on March 15,2008 | 08:42 AM
were that cleopatra real name.
Posted by idellasbrown on March 4,2008 | 10:47 PM
hey im 12 years of age and on this page it gave me so much informating thx for everything
Posted by brianna whipple on February 25,2008 | 03:25 PM
Did Cleopatra ever have any liking to snakes
Posted by Sam Pen on February 24,2008 | 02:20 PM
I believe she did have a cat, a lepord as I recall from a book I read about her life.
Posted by Cynthia Resener on February 22,2008 | 06:40 AM
did cleopatra have a cat
Posted by on February 19,2008 | 05:08 PM
i am reading about cleopatra in these days.I found the incident of ptolomy xiv in this site for the first time.this article is very helpfull and simple for any reader .
Posted by gamini attanayake on February 11,2008 | 11:21 PM
I have always had a fascination with Egypt, mummies & the grand pyramids. Going through all your info.on it & thouroghly enjoyed the article on Cleopatra. Great article,very interesting.Encore!
Posted by Shelley W. Creppel on January 15,2008 | 11:08 PM
This is the first time that I've actually sat down and read the whole article, without skipping over a lot of it. I found your article very interesting and factual. I learn a lot about a woman that was so different then I had pictured before. Thanks.
Posted by Marian Smith on January 5,2008 | 04:37 PM