The Life of Cleopatra as a Woman and as a Female Ruler
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator once ruled over Egypt. Cleopatra for short is one of the most well known historical women figures of all time. Cleopatra VII was a supreme ruler of the Dynasty of Macedonia of Ptolemy. She's notably known for being royalty and skills with political manipulation. But why is she’s so big? You see she was the Ruler of Egypt at one point and that carried over to influence. She is often portrayed in movies, TVs, plays and books as a powerful female ruler. Cleopatra VII even influenced Shakespeare to make a play called “Antony and Cleopatra”. But there’s more to Cleopatra. She was a real person and has a real story. This proclaimed Pharaoh known to rule over Egypt as the Queen from 51-30 BCE. On another note Cleopatra VII is well known for her two famous lovers who were some big military men in history. They are Julius Caesar (lived from 100-44 BCE and Mark Anthony (lived from 81-30 BCE). But we have to think and her importance may be because shes the last Pharaoh/Queen to ever rule over Egypt.
Cleopatra VII Philapotor was born Circa 69 BC. She was born in Alexandria, Egypt. This is where Cleopatra VII was grown and raised. Cleopatra VII was of Macedonian Greek descent. This Queen could speak multiple languages some being Egyptian and Greek. She was said to be someone “who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company”. She was well known for her sex appeal and charm. Her father was Ptolemy XII and mother was isn’t really known. This is because from what we it’s not written or documented but some say it could “Cleopatra V Tryphaena” which was also her dad's half sister but wife or possibly a women of Egyptian descent. Her father King Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC which meant he left the next in power to be his children. This would go on to be her brother Ptolemy XIII and herself. Cleopatra VII eventually married of her younger Ptolemy XIII brother which was her ceremonial spouse and Co Ruler. He was just 10 years old at the time while Cleopatra was 18. The age difference definitely played a factor as she did the older sibling role where you think just because your older you can have life your way and do as you please on your own terms. We see later on Ptolemy XIII rids Egypt of his sister Cleopatra VII and has her banned from grounds. You see Cleopatra had to marry her younger sibling and share power as ruler because of Egyptian law. This law states that “any female ruler to have an heir who was either a brother or son”.
Ptolemy XIII was only 10 at the time and Cleopatra used the age difference to her favor. The Cleopatra predominantly in a way ruled for a few years. Selfishly Cleopatra was basically holding sole power to the throne by herself and doing as pleased on her calls. Her brother didn’t have the maturity, intelligence or influence. Therefore she took it upon herself and did as Cleopatra pleased on whatever she may handling. Her brothers advisors advised to turn against her and after Ptolemy XIII listened find he commanded for her exile from Egypt during 49 BC. Onwards we move to 48 BC, we find the Roman Empire was in civil war between Julius Caesar and General Pompey because they were going head to head for the top role of the Roman state. Roman General Pompey soon ended up running away from battle and ended in Alexandria. He would soon be murdered by the orders of Ptolemy XIII. Julius Ceasar became heatedly angry when he found out about the murder of Pompey who was a Roman. Not only that but Pompey was his son in law by adoption but maybe Caesar had no plans that for him and would’ve let him off. This is something that ended up working out. Cleopatra needed strength to retake her throne and Julius Caesar needed money for power reasons in Rome. Cleopatra used this situation to get an advantage. By trying to get Julius Caesar's support it would help her make a way back to power Of Egypt. It was obvious Caesar’s wasn't on good terms with her younger brother Ptolemy XIII because of the Roman blood that had been shed. She successfully introduced herself by sneaking to meet him and eventually seduced herself onto Julius Caesar. This lead to a great Alliance and Love affair. Eventually with the help of Julius Caesar’s military strength and Cleopatra by his side it would allow to get close to the throne. Soon Ptolemy XIII was defeated and overthrown. Apparently he attempted to flee and drowned in the Nile River ultimately dying in 47 BC. This was a huge accomplishment allowed her to take back rule as she wanted. Allowing herself to be dubbed the Queen of Egypt yet again. Then she would go on to marry her younger brother Ptolemy XIV as tradition and rule over Egypt in her style .
The strategy Cleopatra implied in the world consist of implying her beauty, sexuality, charm, persuasion and ideas to overcome obstacles she faced. Cleopatra VII beat the stereotype in Egyptian society that a woman couldn't lead by herself without a man's guide. Meaning no calls from any men were needed but she might have needed little military help at most. But no guidance when ruling. She came to fame at the same place she was born which was Egypt by executing her plan to retake her throne back. That showed everyone that she can live up to her Pharoah title. She showed that ideas of having Ptolemy XIII co-rule isn’t the best effect for the land of Egypt. She’s older and fit to rule on her calls regardless of what traditions or people have to say. Cleopatra would show perseverance, persistence and some of the top leader qualities to get back into the place was exiled from which was the same place she belonged. Cleopatra's VII known features combined with her height in power would propel her to fame. She got involved with Julius Caesar who could help trump the business she needed to handle in order to get back her title to rule. To think that is a lot of hard work and effort to get the status she wanted is valid. Cleopatra with combination of money and power would attract fame and that comes with it. She improved the economy of Egypt, she made trades with many nations. Egypt with Cleopatra's VII heading them acquire more wealth and grew in strength. She used the advantage of having Roman lovers to have Roman resources for Egypt and disburse them. By doing this it allowed Cleopatra to attend to her Egyptian people with Rome's own resources. Cleopatra VII would start to make most of the Nile River and use it to all benefits. She was a popularly loved ruler by the people of Egypt because she kept, followed Egyptian culture and because the country was flourishing under her lead. Not to mention her riches weren’t regular since she apparently was the richest woman at the time. According to Money.com she is 7th on the richest woman list of all time. Cleopatras definitely meant more than just monetary wealth but rather an impactful symbol. There are no other woman figures out there doing what she was at such a time.
At the heights of Cleopatra's life she built up the economy of Egypt. One way she does this is by trading with Arab nations. Many stress one of the biggest reasons for her fame. She seemed to be a woman of the people. Apparently she was really integrated into egyptian culture so if your really involved with your culture of course your people will love you. She said would refer to herself as some for of Goddess Isis. As said earlier she built up the structure by building the economy and the state was prospering with her owning up to lead. This showing that a woman is doing something amazing. She changed not only Egypt physically but gave them a social lesson and new morales about women to go forward. Still at that time it was seen that brother-sister relationships should rule together to the point of lovers. Instead with age difference it just would hold her back and she didn't want to be held back by her 10 year old brothers maturity level baggage. Her judgment got her exiled. On the contrary, it's evident that with her being in control and having all the power that Egypt would just keep getting wealthier and more powerful. Even with the strategic relationships she had with Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony that she would be there to keep building an empire and stay on top. Cleopatra VII showed that she could make moves to continue rule. Meanwhile society from Romans seen something different. They thought Cleopatra was an evil oversexual witch who kept luring their high officials under spell of lust. They didn't like how Julius Caesar and Mark Antony spent riches on Cleopatra VII. Roman people thought they should've spent riches on what Rome needed. She was thought as not the best influence in Roman eyes. Romans actually pushed the point so much that it just may have tweaked history’s perspective on her but we’ll never know. This brings us to Mary Hamer saying that “Most of what we think we know about Cleopatra is merely the echo of Roman Propaganda”. Which is crazy to see society two perspectives on her.
Celopatra VII had a son named Caesarion obviously who was of Julius Caesar. Caesarion was born June 47 BC. During 46 BC Julius Caesar went back to Rome and enjoyed a celebration in wake four day victory ceremony. Cleopatra’s younger sister was brought along and paraded. When Cleopatra would visit she stood in Caesar’s private villa located by Tibet River. Cleopatra VII was over in Rome when Caesar was brutally assassinated during 44 BC. Caesarion was Cleopatra's oldest son. Cleopatra VII wanted her son to be the leader of Rome one day and be of such status as she was. This is instead of Julius Caesar's great nephew Octavian who is also an apparent heir to the throne. He later goes on to be referred to as Emperor Augustus. Cleopatra VII would then have affairs with Mark Antony in 41 BC. She had another twins Mark named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Seline. He soon left to return to Rome to handle bad family political affair. The Roman senate pushed for him to Marry his sister Octavia in 40 B.C. He would go back to Cleopatra VII in 37 B.C. and Cleopatra would end up having her 4th child Ptolemy Philadelphus. Brilliantly thought of Cleopatra would have talks in Antony's ear to get Caesarion to the top. She knew if Mark Antony loved her as she thought then there would be a possibility to get Caesarion to rule rome. This all lead to the fight of The Final War of the Roman Republic which took place Spring Of 32 BC to 30 BC. Octavian triggered and looking for reasons to break ties with Roman Julius Caesar. He thought to himself that Cleopatra VII was making Mark Anthony act out of character. Mark Antony even divorced his wife for Cleopatra VII. It stung more that Julius caesar would divorece his sister Octavia for someone who wasn’t Roman or someone who seemed as a bad influence.. That would be the final straw for Octavian. The Roman people didn't agree with this action from Mark Antony at all. Octavian would take upon a Propaganda War Promotion to the senate. That then allowed him to declare war on Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII. Ongoing we end up at the ending of Mark Antony life where he commits suicide as Octavian lead his army to winning against Mark Antony and Cleopatras army. Mark anothny died August 2nd 30 BC. Cleopatra was at the end of her story. Her loved ones or people just related to her often ended up dead no matter who it was. That simply just a horrible consequence of Cleopatra VII Philopator life. Her life shortly ended right after on August 13, 30 BC. She died of suiccide from letting a snake bite, poison and kill her. Cleopatra VII tried to reason with Octavian to see if there could be an agreement after he defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra's unit. But “It became apparent that she would be taken to Rome and paraded as a sort of war trophy, a fate she found intolerable”. So to save herself the trouble she ended things early. All this because said had a significant role in Roman politics at an important time in history.
Octavian would go on to have Caesarion executed but left Cleopatra other 3 children alive. That shows you if you are a close loved one/bloodline in of Cleopartra VII then you may or may not be in luck. Yet another consequence in Cleopatra's life was that many around her died. Ever the less In history Cleopatra was represented uniquely as we don’t see that in many standpoints supporting female rulers like that anymore.With Cleopatra's time on earth we see good and bad consequences in her life. Due to the fact that she was so power hungry and seemed to be selfish towards her own blood brother. Her brother Ptolemy XIII ended up banishing his own blood sister. Think about that to yourself. That shows you the lack of sympathy regardless of who tells you what about your family. She pushed him to the side completely especially since she would do things like surround herself with artwork of herself or not attach his name to anything of importance. She made her own blood not care. This might not have been the best decision for the people which it wasn’t since he was around 10 years old. The consequences of being too powerful and selfish ending up being kicked out of her birth place. We could say they were also good consequences because egypt flourishes when you let Cleopatra rule (51 BC to 30). There was good consequences too for her. Affairs with Rome's finest Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. By befriending powerful figures it allowed her to get close to exactly everything she wanted to accomplish. That action ended up being good for egypt because they don't have to worry about powerful rome coming to destroy them. Her forever impact on screening writing and art was definitely a good consequence after her life
The time and place for Cleopatra VII definitely contributed to their fame today. We see Cleopatra VII in movies, museums and art as a symbol. Cleopatra's VII life was found incredibly inspiring for artists post her death date. They portray her life in an astonishing and beautiful. The way her life was shown as extravagance shows the marking she left in the art world in ways. At that time women aren't being heard at all or should I say respected/taken as serious as men especially in history. All the way back then people didn't really have the most faith in women to lead. Hence we still see that sad stereotype today so that's comparable . Yes Cleopatra could be Queen or Pharaoh but is she leading our country in a war? Is she going to be brilliant enough to get the economy going? Is she doing her job? It’s certainly exciting in history that someone can actually have all those qualities that people might question. This makes Cleopatra rule performance extremely exceptional at that time. That makes her an icon for Cleopatra's time, especially with the way her people loved her. She was for the people but was also filthy rich and had a handful of power. She doing all this at such a high level at that time makes her solidified in history. That really goes to show how she could handle her role as Queen. It's as if she was a star and everyone on her side loved her rule and that correlates to Hollywood with movies being made with her in it. Because we look back at this time and see how she was so big in that time that it’s impressive. We want to depict an amazing character in today’s world and she would be that because that’s what she showed for her time. Her diverseness as a character back then makes her likeable to people since that’s sort of what people would aspire to be like in a dream. Her being born in Egypt too helps because Cleopatra VII happened to be born into the royal family. We don’t see Queens or Pharaohs today so that makes us value her and her fame so much more. Its cool that we get to see something Egypt was known for and that is having Pharaohs. And that contributes to Cleopatra's VII fame even more because she was the last Pharaoh of Egypt ever. And the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty so with that all coming to an end at 30 B.C and time be someone so big and go out tragically will cause you name be remembered because there will never be another one again. We embrace her fame because she was impactful at being the role of the pharaoh and she's the one who excelled at her job despite being the end of a dynasty she still forever has a mark on history. We don't see such thing as often on that scale as we get to present day time. Since people still hold her to a very high standard that shows you to relate it to if a similar story would've happened today. People would sit back and be astonished. They would think “wow this woman is so inspirational and big but she’s really scary”. Civilians would give her props because of social media but without it. Her existence is being a figure of royalty, beauty, wealth and power. Even the propaganda of that time that the Roman did could’ve propelled Cleopatra VII to be remembered more. Solely because now everyone looks at certain traits about Cleopatra VII and it makes her so much more interesting. At that time propaganda basically levels with social media. But good or bad historians look back and remember her being the end of the powerful Ptolemaic empire. Cleopatra VII Philapotor was an astonishing figure and her fame will continue as history goes on.
