The Life

of The
Last
Pharaoh
of Egypt
 “Cleopatra”

BY:
JOSEF CRISOLOGO D. URETA
SHANELLE ANNIA LEE T. BARRIL
REIGN CLARA BEATRIZ M. SOLOMON

The Macedonian dynasty, which ruled Egypt from the time Alexander
the Great died in 323 BCE until Rome captured it in 30 BCE, was to
end with Cleopatra, the daughter of King Ptolemy XII Auletes. The
lineage was formed by General Ptolemy, who went on to become King
Ptolemy I Soter of Egypt. Despite having Macedonian heritage and
having little to no Egyptian blood, Cleopatra was the only member of
her household who bothered to learn Egyptian, according to the
Classical scholar Plutarch. She distinguished herself from the
previous Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra III, who had also claimed to be the living embodiment of the
goddess Isis, by branding herself as the new Isis for political purposes.

The countenance depicted in coin depictions of Cleopatra is alive rather than beautiful, with soft lips, a
firm chin, liquid eyes, a large forehead, and a prominent nose. It is plausible, but not proven, that
Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra VII married soon after their father, Ptolemy XII, died in 51 BCE, and that
Ptolemy XIII succeeded to the throne. Cleopatra, who was 18 years old and nearly 8 years older than her
brother, rose to power. Evidence indicates that Ptolemy's name initially appeared before Cleopatra's in a

decree in October of 50 BCE.

Cleopatra was compelled to depart Egypt shortly after and travel to Syria, where she raised an army
before returning to Pelusium, on the eastern border of Egypt, in 48 BCE to face her brother. The murder
of the Roman general Pompey, who had sought refuge in Pelusium from Ptolemy XIII, brought about a

brief period of peace.

Cleopatra realized she would need the assistance of the Romans—more especially, that of Caesar—if she
wished to retake her country. They both decided to make use of one another. Caesar sought funds to
repay the debts incurred by Cleopatra's father, Auletes, as he fought to maintain his rule. Cleopatra was
adamant about upholding her throne and, if possible, reclaiming as much of the original Ptolemies'
realm—which had included southern Syria and Palestine—as she could.

After falling in love, Caesar and Cleopatra were detained in Alexandria for the winter. Ptolemy XIII fled
and drowned in the Nile when Roman armies arrived the next spring. It took Caesar two years to put out
the final flames of Pompeian opposition; Cleopatra was restored to her throne and is now wed to her
brother Ptolemy XIV.
When he got back to Rome, in 46 BCE, he held a four-day triumph—a general's celebration after
defeating a foreign foe—where Arsinoe, Cleopatra's younger and antagonistic sister, was paraded. At
least one state visit was made to Rome by Cleopatra, her son, and her husband-broth. After crossing the
Tiber River, she was lodged in Caesar's private villa, where she may have a golden statue of herself in the
temple of Venus Genetrix, the ancestor of the Julian family to whom Caesar belonged, had been
presented to witness its dead

Cleopatra was in Rome when Caesar was killed in 44 BCE, and her co-ruler, Ptolemy XIV, passed
unexpectedly soon after she landed in Alexandria. The throne was now occupied by Ptolemy XV Caesar,
Cleopatra's young son. As soon as Caesar's assassins were vanquished at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BCE,
Mark Antony took the position as the apparent heir Octavian, Caesar's great-nephew, and personal heir,
was just a young, sickly boy.
Antony, who was now in control of Rome's Eastern provinces asked Cleopatra to speak with him about
her part in what transpired after Caesar was killed. She put off leaving so Antony would be more excited,
and then she left for Tarsus in Asia Minor with a bag full of presents. She entered the city on a boat while
decked up in the attire of the new Isis.

Because he associated with the god Dionysus, Antony was enchanted. Antony returned to Alexandria and
treated Cleopatra as an independent ruler rather than as a sovereign who was "protected" after leaving
Fulvia behind in Italy to defend her husband's interests from the growing threat posed by young
Octavian. Cleopatra and Antony founded the "inimitable livers" society at Alexandria, whose members
led what some historians have characterized as lifestyles of excess and foolishness and others have
characterized as lives devoted to cunning and power.

Cleopatra gave the names Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene to the twins she gave birth to in 40
BCE. When Antony was forced to come to a short-term deal with Octavian, he had already left Alexandria
and was returning to Italy. He married Octavia, Octavian's sister, as payment for this (Fulvia having
died). Three years had passed, and Antony was confident that he and Octavian would never be able to
patch things up. His marriage to Octavia was no longer significant, so he returned to the east and met
Cleopatra. In exchange for Antony's financial support for delaying the Parthian invasion, Cleopatra
sought the restitution of a sizeable piece of Egypt's eastern kingdom, including substantial portions of
Syria and Lebanon and even the numerous balsam groves of Jericho. Armenia's brief rule and the
Parthian campaign were both costly failures.
But in 34 BCE, Antony made a successful return to Alexandria. The thrones of Cleopatra and Antony
were positioned on a silver platform in the gymnasium, and their children were seated next to them on
considerably lower thrones. Crowds rushed to view them. Caesarion was recognized by Antony as being
Caesar's son, rendering Octavian, who had been adopted by Caesar as his son and heir, legally
illegitimate. This was followed by a celebration known as "the Donations of Alexandria." Cleopatra was
referred to as the queen of kings, and Caesarion was recognized as the king of kings. Armenia and the
area west of the Euphrates were given to Alexander Helios, and the area east of the Euphrates was given
to his younger brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra Selene, the brothers' sister, was tasked with managing Cyrene.
Octavian, who was observing from Rome, could see that Antony wanted his extended family to dominate
the developed world. It started a war of propaganda. The Vestal Virgins temple, to whom Antony's will
had been entrusted, was taken by Octavian, who then revealed to the Roman populace that Antony had
not only given a foreign woman Roman possession but also intended to be buried next to her in Egypt.
The fast-growing rumor that Antony likewise intended to move the capital from Rome to Alexandria grew
quickly.

The winter of 32–31 BCE that Antony and Cleopatra spent in Greece. After stripping Antony of his
expected consulate for the coming year, the Roman Senate went on to declare war on Cleopatra. The
naval Battle of Actium, which took place on September 2, 31 BCE, and saw Octavian take on Antony and
Cleopatra's combined forces, was a catastrophe for the Egyptians. Cleopatra withdrew to her mausoleum
as Antony left for his final battle after the couple fled to Egypt. When Antony learned that Cleopatra had
not actually passed away, he stumbled over his sword. In a final act of devotion, he had himself taken to
Cleopatra's hideaway where he passed away after pleading with her to reconcile with Octavian.
After burying Antony, Cleopatra killed herself. Although the exact manner of her death is unknown,
classical writers came to assume that she had used an as—a symbol of divine royalty—to commit suicide.
She had been Antony's partner for eleven years and the queen for 22 years at the age of 39. As both had
desired, they were laid to rest together, and the Roman Republic was also laid to rest with them.
Cleopatra’s family
CLEOPATRA

Cleopatra in Greek means ‘’Famous in Her Father’’, In her full name Cleopatra VII Thea
Philopator means ‘’Cleopatra the father-Loving Goddess’’. She was born in 70-69 BCE and died
August 30 BCE. The Egyptian Queen was known for history and drama being the lover of Julius
Caesar, Afterward the wife of Mark Anthony. In 51 BCE, After the death of her father she
became queen and ruled successively together with her brothers Ptolemy XIII (51-47) and
Ptolemy XIV (47-44) and her son Ptolemy XV Caesar (44-30). Antony and Cleopatra committed
suicide after the Roman armies of Octavian defeated their combined forces.

PTOLEMY XII AULETES

Ptolemy XII Auletes, In Greek ‘’Flute Player’’, was born in 70 or 69 BC and died in 51
BC. His full name is Ptolemy XII Theos Philopator Philadelphus Neos Dionysus Auletes.
He is a descendant of one Alexander the Great's generals, Ptolemy I Soter, Founder of
the Ptolemaic line in Egypt. Ptolemy XII is the Macedonian king. Throughout his reign
Egypt became virtually a client kingdom of the Roman Republic. First Ptolemy that
included Theos in his formal title.
 CLEOPATRA V

Cleopatra V Tryphaena was believed to be her mother. She was born around 95 BCE and died
around 57 BCE. Cleopatra V is the illegitimate daughter of Ptolemy IX Philometor Soter Lathyros
of Egypt. In 80 BCE, she was married to possible full-brother Ptolemy XII Theos Philopator
Philadelphus Neos Dionysus. With two sons Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. Three daughters,
Berenice IV, Arsinoe IV, and Cleopatra VII.

BERENICE IV

She is the eldest daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and sister of Cleopatra VII. She was
the ruler of Egypt in her father’s absence and was executed by him when he returned.
Berenice IV died 55 BC. When Ptolemy's queen died shortly after he left for Rome of
the threat of popular insurrection in 58, Berenice became queen.
 ARSINOE IV

Arsinoe IV was born in 63 BC. She is the youngest daughter of the Macedonian king Ptolemy XII
Auletes of Egypt. Arsinoe tried to lead the native forces against Cleopatra, During the
Alexandrian war. Arsinoe, together with the aid of Ganymedes, escaped Caesar when he captured
the members of the Ptolemaic royal family upon landing in Alexandria in 48. Then joined the
Egyptian army led by Achillas. Arsinoe ordered Achillas executed because of a feud between
Ganymedes and the Egyptian commander. Arsinoe was sent to Rome after Ganymedes forced
Caesar’s forces and negotiated with Arsinoe in exchange for Ptolemy XIII. In the Temple of
Artemis at Ephesus Arsinoe found safety in the fear of her ambitious sister.

PTOLEMY XIII THEOS PHILOPATOR

Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator ‘’The Father-loving God’’. He was born in 62/61
BCE and died in 47 BCE. From 51 BCE to his death, Ptolemy XIII was the pharaoh
of Egypt. Following the wish of their father, Ptolemy XII Auletes, he began his co-
rule with his sister, Cleopatra VII. In 47 BCE he battled with Julius Caesar for
control of Egypt and was defeated in the battle of the Nile. At 15 he drowned,
attempting to escape the victorious Roman dictator.
 PTOLEMY XIV PHILOPATOR

He was born in c.59 BCE and died July 44 BCE. When Ptolemy XIV took the throne, he was about 12
years old. He and his sister, Cleopatra, were married. Still, Cleopatra acted as a lover to Julius Caesar.
Cleopatra kept the actual authority while Ptolemy ruled in name only. Caesar was murdered in Rome
on 15 March 44 BC and Ptolemy followed soon. 26 July 44 BC an address stating that he was alive.

MARK ANTONY

He was born on January 14, 83 BC in Rome, Italy. Died August 1, 30, BC in Alexandria,
Egypt. Buried at the Tomb of Antony and Cleopatra. Mark Antony was a Roman
politician and general who played a critical role in transforming the Roman Republic
into the Autocratic Roman Empire.
JULIUS CAESAR

Gaius Julius Caesar is a Roman general and statesman

who was born on July 12, 100 BC, In Suburra, Italy. His

mother is Aurelia and his father is Gaius Julius Caesar.

Died on March 15, 44 BC in Largo di Torre Argentina,

Rome, Italy. Buried at Temple of Divus Julius, Rome,

Italy. First Triumvirate member. He led the Roman

armies in the Gallic Wars. Julius became dictator from

49 BC until 44 BC.