Pharaohs: Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra the VII (see figure 14.1) was a significant individual in Egypt. She was the last ruler of the Macedonian dynasty and she was born around 69 B.C.
Alexander's general Ptolemy took over the rule of Egypt. Over the next few of centuries the descendants of his followed his path. According to Bio, 2014 Cleopatra VII was born in the year 69 B.C. Her full name was Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator and she died in Alexandria, Egypt in 69 B.C. Cleopatra the VII bore a son of Caesar, though Caesar never acknowledged the boy. Historians however are still not sure that the son is actually Caesars offspring as there is evidence for both sides. Cleopatra fled to Syria after conflict started between her and Ptolemy XIII. It was there that she assembled an army to take the throne by force and conquering her rival. In 41 B.C. Cleopatra and Mark Antony (see figure 14.2) , bonded by both romantic and political reasons, fought Caesar's adopted son Octavian. The two forces fought on the west coast of Greece and Cleopatra's/Mark Antony's force lost. The victorious Octavian pursued Cleopatra and Mark Antony who had now fled to Egypt. Mark Antony took his own life after Octavian captured Alexandria and shortly afterwards Cleopatra did the same (BBC. 2014). |
©By Gabriel Merga 2014