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nyc-uws · 5 years

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Cleopatra, Last Pharaoh of Egypt

About Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, Last of the Ptolemy Dynasty

by Jone Johnson Lewis April 19, 2017

Often known simply as Cleopatra, this ruler of Egypt, Cleopatra VII Philopater, was the last Pharaoh of Egypt, last of the Ptolemy dynasty of Egyptian rulers. She is also known for her relationships to Julius Caesar and to Marc Antony.

Dates: 69 BCE - August 30, 30 BCE Occupation: Pharaoh of Egypt (ruler) Also Known as: Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra VII Philopater; Cleopatra Philadelphus Philopator Philopatris Thea Neotera

Family:

Cleopatra VII was the descendant of Macedonians who were established as rulers over Egypt when Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 323 BCE.

Father: Ptolemy XII Auletes ( - 51 BCE, ruled 80 BCE - 51 BCE except for 58-55 BCE)

Mother: Cleopatra V Tryphaina (co-ruler 58-55 BCE with their daughter, Berenice IV, sister of Cleopatra VII)

The Ptolemy dynasty was descended from the Greek Macedonian named Ptolemy Soter, whom Alexander the Great installed in Egypt, so much of Cleopatra's ancestry was Macedonian Greek. What about the origins of her mother, or her paternal grandmother? See: Was Cleopatra Black?

Marriages and Partners, Children

brother-husband and co-ruler: Ptolemy XIII (died fighting Caesar's forces)

brother-husband and co-ruler: Ptolemy XIV (established by Caesar as co-ruler with Cleopatra)

Julius Caesar (no formal or informal marriage; Cleopatra went to Rome with him in 46 BCE; Cleopatra returned to Egypt when he was assassinated in 44 BCE)

Ptolemy Caesarion (b. 46 BCE)

Marcus Antonius (Marc Antony) (married 36 BCE; both Antony and Cleopatra killed themselves in 31 BCE on defeat by Octavian)

twins: Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene (born 40 BCE)

Ptolemy Philadelphus (born 36 BCE)

Sources for Cleopatra's History

Much of what we know about Cleopatra was written after her death when it was politically expedient to portray her as a threat to Rome and its stability.

Thus, some of what we know about Cleopatra may have been exaggerated or misrepresented by those sources. Cassius Dio, one of the ancient sources that tell her story, summarizes her story as "She captivated the two greatest Romans of her day, and because of the third she destroyed herself."

Cleopatra Biography

During Cleopatra's early years, her father tried to maintain his failing power in Egypt by bribing powerful Romans. Ptolemy XII was reportedly the son of a concubine instead of a royal wife.

When Ptolemy XII went to Rome in 58 BCE, his wife, Cleopatra VI Tryphaina, and his eldest daughter, Berenice IV, assumed the rulership jointly. When he returned, apparently Cleopatra VI had died, and with the help of Roman forces, Ptolemy XII regained his throne and executed Berenice. Ptolemy then married his son, about 9 years old, to his remaining daughter, Cleopatra, who was by time about eighteen.

Early Rule

Cleopatra apparently attempted to rule alone, or at least not equally with her much-younger brother. In 48 BCE, Cleopatra was pushed out of power by ministers. At the same time, Pompey -- with whom Ptolemy XII had allied himself -- appeared in Egypt, chased by forces of Julius Caesar. Pompey was assassinated by Ptolemy XIII's supporters.

A sister of Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII declared herself ruler as Arsinoe IV.

Cleopatra and Julius Caesar

Cleopatra, according to the stories, had herself delivered to Julius Caesar's presence in a rug and won his support. Ptolemy XIII died in a battle with Caesar, and Caesar restored Cleopatra to power in Egypt, along with her brother Ptolemy XIV as co-ruler.

In 46 BCE, Cleopatra named her newborn son Ptolemy Caesarion, emphasizing that this was the son of Julius Caesar. Caesar never formally accepted paternity, but he did take Cleopatra to Rome that year, also taking her sister, Arsinoe, and displaying her in Rome as a war captive. That he was already married (to Calpurnia) yet Cleopatra claimed to be his wife added to a climate in Rome that ended with Caesar's assassination in 44 BCE.

After Caesar's death, Cleopatra returned to Egypt, where her brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIV died, probably assassinated by Cleopatra.

She established her son as her co-ruler Ptolemy XV Caesarion.

Cleopatra and Marc Antony

When the next Roman military governor of the region, Marc Antony, demanded her presence -- along with that of other rulers who were controlled by Rome -- she arrived dramatically in 41 BCE, and managed to convince him of her innocence of charges about her support of Caesar's supporters in Rome, captivated his interest, and gained his support.

Antony spent a winter in Alexandria with Cleopatra (41-40 BCE), and then left. Cleopatra bore twins to Antony. He, meanwhile, went to Athens and, his wife Fulvia having died in 40 BCE, agreed to marry Octavia, the sister of his rival Octavius. They had a daughter in 39 BCE. In 37 BCE Antony returned to Antioch, Cleopatra joined him, and they went through a sort of marriage ceremony in 36 BCE. That same year, another son was born to them, Ptolemy Philadelphus.

Marc Antony formally restored to Egypt -- and Cleopatra -- territory which the Ptolemy's had lost control of, including Cyprus and part of what is now Lebanon. Cleopatra returned to Alexandria and Antony joined her in 34 BCE after military victory. He affirmed the joint rulership of Cleopatra and her son, Caesarion, recognizing Caesarion as the son of Julius Caesar.

Antony's relationship with Cleopatra -- his supposed marriage and their children, and his granting of territory to her -- was used by Octavian to raise Roman concerns over his loyalties. Antony was able to use Cleopatra's financial support to oppose Octavian in the Battle of Actium (31 BCE), but missteps -- probably attributable to Cleopatra -- led to defeat.

Cleopatra tried to get Octavian's support for her children's succession to power, but was unable to come to an agreement with him. In 30 BCE, Marc Antony killed himself, reportedly because he'd been told that Cleopatra had been killed, and when yet another attempt to keep power failed, Cleopatra killed herself.

Egypt and Cleopatra's Children After Cleopatra's Death

Egypt became a province of Rome, ending the rule of the Ptolemies.

Cleopatra's children were taken to Rome. Caligula later executed Ptolemy Caesarion, and Cleopatra's other sons simply disappear from history and are assumed to have died. Cleopatra's daughter, Cleopatra Selene, married Juba, king of Numidia and Mauretania.

https://www.thoughtco.com/cleopatra-last-pharaoh-of-egypt-3528679

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tiny-librarian · 7 years

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The Ptolemaic Dynasty, as with many Royal Houses, had a tendency to re-use names over the generations. The women of the dynasty were either named Cleopatra, Berenice, Arsinoe, or some combination of those names, often with other epithets added to them.

These are the four Queens who had the name of Arsinoe (The accompanying pictures are said to be them, but I can’t absolutely guarantee that as it can be difficult to determine who is being portrayed in Ptolemaic imagery. Arsinoe IV is represented by Kassandra Voyagis, who played her in the 1999 Cleopatra miniseries, since it was difficult to even find an image claiming to be her):

Arsinoe I: A Macedonian Greek Princess, she was married to her distant cousin, Ptolemy II. They had three children together, two sons (Ptolemy and Lysimachus) and a daughter (Berenice). She was repudiated when her husband’s sister, also called Arsinoe, arrived in Egypt and likely convinced her brother his wife was trying to assassinate him. Ptolemy divorced her and she was sent into exile, marrying his half sister afterwards. Arsinoe I lived very comfortably as a former wife of the Pharaoh and her son, Ptolemy III, would succeed her former husband on the throne when he died.

Arsinoe II: The daughter of Ptolemy I by his second wife, Berenice I. She married King Lysimachus when she was 15, and had 3 sons with him (Ptolemy, Lysimachus, and Philip). Trying to ensure her eldest son would inherit the throne, she had her husband’s eldest son poisoned. When her husband died she fled the country and married her half brother, Ptolemy Keraunos, in a political union to claim her former husband’s throne. The relationship soon soured, and she conspired with her sons to kill him. Ptolemy Keraunos killed the two younger ones; Ptolemy having managed to flee the country. Arsinoe herself fled to Egypt, seeking the protection of her full brother, the Pharaoh Ptolemy II. Convincing him his wife was trying to assassinate him, she had him divorce her and married him herself. Arsinoe became a very influential Queen, and according to legend even won chariot races at the Olympic Games. After she died, her brother/husband continued to refer to her on official documents and supported her cult, where she was worshipped as a goddess.

Arsinoe III: Daughter of Ptolemy III and Berenice II, she married her brother, Ptolemy IV. They had one known child, a son named Ptolemy V. She was active in government, even accompanying her brother/husband on campaign. When one battle went badly, she appeared in front of the troops and encouraged them to fight harder to defend their families, promising them gold if they won the battle, which they did. Arsinoe was murdered in a coup, shortly after her husband’s death, by men who wanted to secure the regency of her then 5 year old son for themselves.

Arsinoe IV: She was the daughter of Ptolemy XII by an unknown woman. This Arsinoe had two full younger brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, along with three elder half sisters from her father’s first wife: Cleopatra VI, Berenice IV, and Cleopatra VII. When her father died, he left the throne to his eldest surviving children, Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII. The young Ptolemy forced his co-ruler to flee the country, but when Caesar arrived in Egypt he sided with Cleopatra. Arsinoe herself fled the city with her tutor Ganymedes, and joined the army besieging it under General Achillas. The men fought and she had the general executed, placing her tutor in charge. Eventually they negotiated to exchange Arsinoe for Ptolemy, but Ptolemy was later released and is said to have drowned in the Nile, weighed down by his armour. After receiving reinforcements, Caesar’s men won the war and Arsinoe was taken to Rome where she was forced to appear in his Triumph Parade. It was customary to have prominent captives murdered after the parade was over, but Caesar was persuaded to spare Arsinoe and she was given sanctuary at the temple of Artemis in Ephesus. She lived there until 41 B.C. when her sister Cleopatra, who had always been convinced Arsinoe was a threat to her power, convinced Marc Antony to have her murdered on the steps of the temple, violating sanctuary and horrifying the Roman people.

#arsinoe i #arsinoe ii #arsinoe iii #arsinoe iv #ancient egypt #ptolemaic dynasty #ptolemaicqueens #OMG I summarized this as best I could #IT WAS SO HARD GUYS #SO MANY SIMILAR NAMES #it's not all 100% accurate I'm sure but I DID MY BEST

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programsbos · 4 years

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The full life story of the Pharaonic Queen Cleopatra

The statue of Queen Cleopatra's head is on display at the Altes Museum in Berlin.

Queen Cleopatra VII, known as Cleopatra, is the last king of the Macedonian family, who ruled Egypt from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC until the occupation of Egypt by Rome in 30 BC. Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XII. She succeeded him as queen in 51 BC, sharing the throne with her brother Ptolemy XIII. She has been described as beautiful and charming. In contrast to what is highlighted by the pictures that have arrived to us. As for the men who fell in love with her, she captivated them with their cute, funny personality, and cleverness. She was always in conflict with her brother, who ended up being expelled from Egypt. The country was at that time a kingdom under Roman protection, and the main source of wheat for the Roman people. Caesar came to Egypt after the defeat of Bombay in Farsalus in 48 BC, and found the civil war still in place. And Cleopatra was trying to return to Egypt, so she suddenly appeared before Caesar wrapped in a rug - as they claim - so that she could beg him to help her in achieving her goal of returning to power. His family, either with her charms, or with the clear logic that she will be a better ruler than her brother. Caesar helped her to overcome Ptolemy who drowned at the end of the battle. Cleopatra ruled a few years. In the year 40 BC. M. Her kingdom was part of the share of the imperial who afflicted Marcus Antonius when it divided the Roman world with both Octavian and Lepidus after the slaughter of Julius Caesar. Marcus Antonius loved Cleopatra, and his affair cost him losing his favor in Rome. Antonius' order to commit suicide ended after the defeat inflicted on him by Octavius at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. When Cleopatra heard the news, she committed suicide, too. Her biography Cleopatra VII (Greek: Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ) (January 69 BC - 30 BC) Queen of Egypt, famous in history and drama for her relationship with Julius Caesar and then Marcus Antonius and the mother of Ptolemy XV (Caesaron). She became queen upon the death of her father Ptolemy XII, in the year 51 BC and ruled consecutively with her two brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV (.., 67) and her son Ptolemy XV Caesarion after the victory of the armies of the Roman Octavian (later Emperor Augustus new) on their combined forces Cleopatra committed suicide, and so did Antony, and Egypt fell under the control of the Romans. What history confirms to us about Cleopatra as one of the great queens of Egypt, whatever the disputes about her relationship with the policies of the Roman Empire, for she was, for example, the only one among the Ptolemaic dynasty that took it upon herself to learn the Egyptian language at the time, and she imitated the goddess Isis and claimed that she embodies her life on earth, She even called herself the "new Isis", which reflects the extent of her political intelligence and her seriousness in successfully ruling Egypt. Cleopatra was a gifted queen, she spoke several languages, led armies at the age of twenty-one, and was educated in the beacon of knowledge of her time, Alexandria. She worked to restore the glories of her ruling family, and was able to extend stability and peace in the country during her reign, and to fight corruption, as she was witnessed to open grain stores for her people during the period of famines and raise taxes on them. At that time, Egypt was a prosperous country, under the rule of a queen whose people did not see a defect in its race, so it occupied it only with good management of the country. Her life and wisdom Born in 69 BC, Cleopatra was described as being actively influenced by Roman politics in a critical period, and she was described as coming to represent, as no other woman from antiquity, the first model of romantic seductive woman. She is the daughter of King Ptolemy XII "Olites", and Cleopatra was destined to become the last queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC and annexed it to Rome in 30 BC. The dynasty was founded by Alexander Ptolemy, who became King Ptolemy I of Egypt. Cleopatra was a Ptolemaic dynasty. For political reasons, she called herself the "New Isis", a title that distinguished her from Queen Cleopatra III, who also claimed to be a living embodiment of the goddess Isis. When Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC, the throne moved to his young son, Ptolemy XIII, and his daughter Cleopatra VII. It is known that Cleopatra, 18 years old, was about eight years older than her brother, and became the dominant ruler. Evidence indicates that the first decree in which Ptolemy's name precedes Cleopatra was in October 50 B.C. Cleopatra realized that she needed the support of the Romans, or more specifically Caesar's support, if she was to regain the throne.

Cleopatra and Julius Caesar Queen Cleopatra and her son Caesaron carved at Dandara Temple Historians say that both Cleopatra and Caesar sought to use the other, so Caesar sought money to pay off the debts he incurred from Cleopatra's father Aolitis, in order to retain the throne. Whereas, Cleopatra was determined to retain her throne, and if it were possible to restore the glories of the early Ptolemies and recover as much of their power as possible, which included Syria, Palestine and Cyprus. The bonds of their relationship were strengthened and, after his departure, he gave birth to a child called Ptolemy Caesar or Ptolemy XV (and the Alexandrians called him the miniaturized Kaisarion). Configure an army and confront her brother King Ptolemy XIII fell under the influence of his advisors, who worked to remove Cleopatra and expel her from Alexandria in order to take power, so she sought refuge in eastern Egypt and was able to recruit an army of Bedouins to restore its position. Upon her arrival to the Pelosium (present-day Port Said) where her brother's army was confronting her, the ship of the Roman Commander Pompeius (Pompeius) arrived after his defeat at the Battle of Varsalos (48 BC), so the king's guardianship only managed to kill him, and presented his head to The victorious leader Julius Caesar who arrived in Alexandria on October 2, 48 BC. Cleopatra succeeded in penetrating the ranks of her opponents after her brother Ptolemy XIII tried to get closer to Caesar, where he found an opportunity to declare his full loyalty, and worked as much of his energy to flatter him and draw close to him, and by doing so, he hoped that he would gain the support of the Romans to single out the offer of Egypt. However, Ptolemy found that he had miscalculated. Caesar summoned Ptolemy and Cleopatra to Alexandria, and declared his support for the monarchy. During that time, the people of Alexandria had another queen in their minds. In November 48 BC, with Caesar and Cleopatra imprisoned in the royal palace, the Alexandrian people declared the younger royal sister, Arsinoe IV, Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra and Julius Caesar spent a long winter locked up in the Palace of Alexandria. Roman reinforcements came only by March 47 BC, in which Julius and Cleopatra had become political and loving allies. Upon the liberation of Caesar, Ptolemy XIII escaped and drowned in the Nile, while Arsinoe IV, the queen who ruled and lived for a short period of time, was captured and taken to Rome. Cleopatra, who became a widow, was returned to her throne with full Roman support, and married her brother Ptolemy XIV, who was 11 years old at the time. The bride got pregnant. In June 47 BC, Cleopatra gave birth to a son whom she named Ptolemy Caesar (who was known as Caesarion) after his father. As for Caesar, who was originally married to a Roman wife, he was unable to officially recognize his Egyptian son. But before his death he sought to pass legislation in Rome that gave him the right to marry a second woman and give legal legitimacy to a child born in foreign lands. The relationship between Caesar and Cleopatra was far from a foolhardy passion. The two parties were veteran politicians, and neither of them was in any way considered naive. Their physical unity strengthened their political alliance, and it had a perfect political connotation. Egypt would have remained independent, except that it fell under the protection of Rome. Rome would have benefited from Egypt's generosity by being the most fertile land in the world. Their common interests - ambition and the common child of course - linked each other; The parties saw the benefits of keeping Egypt independent of Caesarion in order to inherit it. Confident in his loyalty to her son, if not his loyalty to him, Caesar continued the march of encouraging Cleopatra as the true ruler of Egypt, even when he left himself. In 46 BC, Caesar won the victory in Rome, a victory that left the deposed Queen Arsene bound in chains before the Roman people. Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIV followed Caesar to Rome, and they stayed there for about a year at Caesar's private expense. They were present to witness Caesar giving Cleopatra a golden statue in the Temple of Venus Gentrix. They only returned to Egypt when Caesar was killed on March 15th, 44 BC. Ptolemy XIV died upon his return to Egypt - and it is not certain whether his death was the result of accident or planning. With no other male heir to the throne, Caesarion, who was 3 years old, became Ptolemy the Fifteenth, and Cleopatra was the only ruler of affairs.

Julius Caesar was killed With Caesar's death, the trio of Mark Anthony, Octavian, and Marcus Lepidus went out to capture the assassins, Brutus and Cassius. Rome intended for general revenge, and Egypt was called upon to provide assistance. This was very important for Cleopatra. The ruler of Cyprus broke away and took over the killers, and decided to return her sister Arsino, who gained her freedom again and lives in Ephesus, to rule Egypt. During her life, Arsino would have become a constant threat to Cleopatra, and it was not a big surprise that she was assassinated by her sister's order in 40 BC. Cleopatra made a wise decision in alliance with the trio. It raised a fleet to sail towards Octavian and Mark Anthony, but its ships were destroyed by the hurricane. While she waited to equip the Second Fleet, news came that the assassins had been defeated. Two men came to rule, where the western empire ruled Octavian (the legal heir of Caesar), and Caesar ruled the eastern empire. Cleopatra, which was very vulnerable in Egypt, needed someone to protect it. For the first time, her instinct betrayed her and made the wrong decision: she decided to ally with Mark Anthony. Cleopatra and Marcus Antonius After Caesar's assassination in Rome, the kingdom was divided between his greatest leaders, Actavius and Anthony, so Actavius decided to annex Egypt to the Roman Empire, but he had many consequences, among the most severe of which was Marcus Antony, "Marc Anthony", who wanted to rule the Roman Empire alone, and then Cleopatra thought that She becomes the wife of Marcus Antonius, who may one day rule the Roman Empire. Mark Antony came to Egypt and Cleopatra came to him secretly for fear of the Egyptians' revolts against her, and she was hiding him in a carpet and came out of her in front of Anthony as a bride of the sea and she is in her most beautiful pictures and Antony fell in love with her. Mark Anthony was married to Octavia, sister of Octavius (August), and Ali prevented the Romans from marrying a non-Roman, and here appeared the problem of his association with Cleopatra and became an ally of her instead of including Egypt for the Roman Empire. This was a reason for the enmity between Augustus and Antonius because Octavia was the sister of Augustus, the Roman Empire was divided into East and West, and the East, including Egypt, belonged to Antony, and it was natural for Cleopatra to become under the authority of the new master Antonius, so she fought him with the weapon of love and beauty, and she did not wait until He comes to her in Alexandria, but sailed aboard a luxurious golden pharaoh ship from the Egyptian beaches, and Antony had sent in her request in 41 BC when he arrived in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia, in order to hold her accountable for her hesitating stance and failure to support the supporters of Julius Caesar. Cleopatra admired Antoninus not only for his form as he was handsome (say historians) but also for his intelligence because all expectations at this time were confirming Antoninus' victory. Temptation - or letting itself be tempted - a Roman leader has worked in the past. Cleopatra is still young, and she had no reason to assume her methods would not work again. I decided to bring back history. Anthony, who was less intelligent and experienced than Caesar, was seduced by her magic. In 40 BC, Cleopatra gave birth to a twin, Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios. By the time of their birth, Anthony had returned to Rome, where he was going to marry Octavia, sister of his ally and archenemy Octavian. Rome could only be ruled by one ruler. The relationship between Octavian and Anthony, and thus between Octavia and her new husband, quickly deteriorated. In 37 BC, Anthony left Rome for Antioch, Syria, where he was sent to Cleopatra. Together, they developed a grand plan for an Eastern alliance that would restore Egypt some of its former glory. Thanks to Anthony, Egypt recovered some of its lost eastern lands. Unfortunately, Anthony's Parthian campaign - the first step toward strengthening the Eastern Alliance - was a devastating disaster. Instead of acquiring new lands, Anthony was forced, through his estranged wife, to beg Octavian for more troops. Anthony was given 2,000 soldiers, an ironic number, and their number was also reduced, and relations between them collapsed. Anthony's subsequent victory in Armenia restored some of his face. There were intense celebrations in Alexandria, where Anthony sat on the throne and bragged about his sons from Cleopatra, as kings of the lands of Rome and occupied Egypt. Nothing could offend Octavian and Octavia any more. In 32 BC, Octavia was divorced. Anthony and Cleopatra became an official couple. But while the fans enjoyed an extended tour of the eastern Mediterranean, Octavian was preparing for war. The naval battle of Actium took place in western Greece in 31 BC and decided the fate of the war. The Battle of Actium was a victory for Octavian. Anthony was forced to flee while Cleopatra returned to Alexandria and began gathering troops. When Anthony joined her after several weeks, the two were effectively trapped. Antoninus lost many of his ships in his attempt to break the blockade that was struck around him, and events accelerated and Cleopatra did everything in his power to avoid the disaster after the news of the defeat arrived in Egypt. Cleopatra's offer to abdicate her children was ignored. While Antony was preparing for his final battle, in a desperate attempt to confront the forces of Octavianus, the new Caesar of Rome, who had reached the outskirts of Alexandria in the summer of 30 BC, Cleopatra was fortified in a mausoleum that was also used as its storage. When Anthony received the news of Cleopatra's suicide, he threw himself on his sword. However, the news of Cleopatra's death was incorrect. Anthony, who was dying at the time, was taken to Alexandria and pulled up to the wall of the mausoleum, so that he could die in Cleopatra's arms.

Suicide rather than captivity One day in mid-August, 30 BC. M, one of Queen Cleopatra's servants provided the cobra snake ((likely an Egyptian cobra)) as a means of her suicide after hearing of the defeat of her husband, the Roman commander Mark Antony in the war, the poisonous cobra snake had remained a motto of the monarchy in the Ptolemaic era above the heads of the kings. We may believe the words of the Roman poets Virgil, Horace and Propertius Propertius. Some historians have stated that the left royal shoulder was the one who received the first fatal sting and others said he had Cleopatra's left breast naked. Cleopatra committed suicide in this state of despair by placing his poisonous neighborhood on her chest, and the new conqueror Octavius Caesar hoped that the Queen who ruled Egypt would march in his victory parade in Rome, but he quickly saw her body and went to organize the government, so he announced his annexation of Egypt to the authority of the Roman people, and his announcement came in a short sentence It contains no more than five words. After the death of Cleopatra, the Romans killed her son Caesarion, fearing that he would claim the Roman Empire as heir to Julius Caesar and his heir. Cleopatra VII, depicted on a coin displayed in the Alexandria Museum, tells the story of Cleopatra, which inspired poets and story writers. It was a material for the play (Antonio and Cleopatra) by William Shakespeare and the 1977 play (Everything for Love) by John Dryden and the play (Caesar and Cleopatra) by George Bernard Shaw and a poetic glossary in the suicide of Cleopatra by the poet Ahmed Shawky. The seventh Cleopatra was the last ruler of the Ptolemies in Egypt, and it surpassed its predecessors in intelligence, prudence, and ambition. Cleopatra ascended the throne and ruled Egypt for twenty years (from 51 to 30 BC). The image of Cleopatra appeared in ancient Egyptian currency as a gorgeous, vivid woman with a delicate mouth and clear eyes. Cleopatra is one of the most prominent in history, Kefertiti, Smeremes, and Sheherzad. The Greek historian Cassius Dio records her death, saying: No one knew for sure how she died. They only found small holes in her arm. Some have assumed that she brought a venomous little snake on her own ... Denied the story of suicide with a snake bite Professor Christoph Schaefer ((Professor of History at the University of Trier in West Germany)) denied the fact that Cleopatra died from a cobra snake bite and suggested that she died due to drinking a combination or cocktails of drugs and based what went on to the fact that the snake bite would have exposed Cleopatra to severe, excruciating and long pain before death in addition to the physical disfigurement that was He would have followed her, a beautiful woman who was so proud of her beauty Not yet discovered her burial site It is believed that the suicide of Cleopatra came shortly after the suicide of Marcus Antonius, and the ancient historian "Plutarch" wrote that they were buried in a wonderful royal style in a grave near Alexandria, and some believe that the shrine became deep in the sea after the fourth earthquake in the eighth century where the terrain of Alexandria changed, in While others claim that the couple was buried near Taposiris Magna, an ancient temple containing dozens of graves and mummies. Cleopatra's children Cleopatra's four children lived after their mother. In theory, her eldest son, Caesarion, became the sole king of Egypt. However, Caesar's son posed an immediate danger to the Romanians. He was arrested while fleeing Egypt and executed by Octavian. The rest of the children were taken to Rome, where they were first shown in a disgraceful public parade, and then given to Octavia, Mark Anthony's fourth wife, to raise them. In 20 BC, Cleopatra Celine married the Prince of Numidian Juba II; She bore him a son, of course, Ptolemy, before she died naturally in relative obscurity. Her siblings, Alexander and Ptolemy Philadelphus (born 36 AD), were sent to live away from harm's way with their married sister. In Mauritania, they have achieved what no one in their family has been able to do: Life is completely out of the political limelight. The little prince, Ptolemy, was not very lucky. After inheriting his father's throne, he was executed by the Roman Emperor Caligula in AD 40. What did Cleopatra look like? Rumors of Cleopatra say she wrote a book about her secrets of beauty to pass on to other women, but what did her look really look like? Classical authors are divided on that. Plutarch evaluates it as slightly more than a good average. As for Cassius Dio, on the contrary, he evaluates her as the most beautiful women in the world, for looking and listening to her was a glow and sparkle ... Many early art historians have had a tendency to distinguish any woman carrying a snake as representing Cleopatra VII. And if we ignore those dubious distinctions, we will find surprise, that we only have a few pictures of the last queen. Her paintings that lived may be divided into two parts. The Egyptian-style images, preserved in statues and walls of the Temple of Dandara, are traditionally painted like any mysterious queen of Egypt: tall, slender, wearing a wig, and she wears the best types of linen and feathers, a sun disk, cow horns and a snake head that adorn any traditional Pharaonic queen. Such pictures reveal little about the real Cleopatra, other than her wish to become the mother-goddess Isis. The style of non-Egyptian portrayal of Cleopatra is completely different, and although we will not fall into the trap of assuming that all representations were real and identical to reality, they appear more realistic to the contemporary eye. Here, Cleopatra appears in the dress and hairstyle - the diadem and braiding in the form of a bun - classic and gracious. The coinage shows a woman with an unexciting nose and chin. The marble statues, intact from Rome, show the same features with slight relief, although the Queen again is by no means strikingly beautiful. They appear to be determined rather than seducing. Perhaps then, Cleopatra was relying on the magic of her voice. The historian Plutarch, who was less than impressed by the queen's appearance, says he was amazed by her linguistic abilities:

She was pleased to hear her voice, with which she, like any musical instrument with strings, was able to pass from one language to another, and even resorted to an interpreter a few times during her conversation with the barbarian nations ...

Cleopatra as Isis Cleopatra wrote her legend on her own, following the example of Cleopatra the Third using the belief of the mother goddess Isis to strengthen her rule as a living goddess. This theology was accepted in Egypt, where the ruling family was always associated with the gods, and where ordinary people were effectively excluded from the worship of the state gods. If Cleopatra wanted to announce herself as a living goddess, "the new Isis" (a title she herself chose to distinguish herself from her predecessor, Cleopatra III), he would have cared or known only a few Egyptians. In Rome, where the belief of Isis was taken very seriously, and the temples were open to all, Cleopatra's role as mediator between the goddess and her people was simply totally unacceptable. The queen found herself in a perplexing position between becoming a half, or even a complete goddess, in her country, and being merely human in Rome. Cleopatra through the ages Her beauty was not, as we are told, so screaming that minds stunned when he saw it. However, the charm of its existence was irresistible ... Cleopatra VII was an intelligent woman, a competent Hellenistic ruler, and a mother who dedicated her life to her four sons. Today, much of that has been forgotten due to her frequent appearances on oilboards, on theaters and screens, and Cleopatra has become famous as the sure example of an irresistible woman, whose unrivaled beauty and seductive sense allowed her to melt the hearts of two of Rome's greatest men. It is certain to us that my father Cleopatra was a brother and sister. Her grandfather, Ptolemy IX, was a well-known Greek man. As for her mother, she was described as his "girlfriend", but there is no further evidence of her origin or lineage, we will not know for sure what she, or her granddaughter, Cleopatra VII looked like.

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THE FIRST BOOK OF MACHABEES. - From The Latin Vulgate Bible

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION.

These Books are so called, because they contain the history of the people of God under the command of Judas Machabeus and his brethren; and he, as some will have it, was surnamed Machabeus from carrying on his ensigns, or standards, those words of Exodus xv. 11., "Who is like to thee among the strong, O Lord;" in which the initial letters, in the Hebrew, are M. C. B. E. I. It is not known who was the author of these books. But as to their authority, though they are not received by the Jews, saith St. Augustine, (liber[book] xviii., City of God, chap. xxxvi.) they are received by the Church; who, in settling her canon of the Scriptures, chose rather to be directed by the tradition she had received from the apostles of Christ, than by that of the Scribes and Pharisees. And as the Church has declared these two books canonical, even in two general councils, viz., Florence and Trent, there can be no doubt of their authenticity. (Challoner)

Chapter 1

The reign of Alexander, and his successors: Antiochus rifles and profanes the temple of God: and persecutes unto death all that will not forsake the law of God, and the religion of their fathers.

1 Now *( Year of the World 3668, Year before Christ 336) it came to pass after that Alexander, the son of Philip, the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius, king of the Persians and Medes:

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 1. Now. Literally, "And." (Haydock) --- Thus many Hebrew books commence, as Exodus, Josue, Baruch, &c. (Calmet) --- Greece, over the whole. He was chosen generalissimo. (Haydock) --- He conquered many of the Greeks, and overthrew Darius Condomanus, the year of the world 3674. (Calmet) --- His dominion in Syria may be meant. (Grotius) --- Alexander [the Great] was the first who reigned in that great monarchy, which he founded. (Worthington)

2 He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth:

Ver. 2. Holds. He was never defeated. (Just. xii.)

3 And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.

Ver. 3. Earth, even to India, beyond which the ancients knew of nothing. --- Quiet, or silent; depopulated, (Isaias xiv. 7.) and obedient, Habacuc ii. 20.

4 And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up:

Ver. 4. Up. He was spoiled by prosperity, (Calmet) and would pass for a god, and be styled "king of the world." (Just. xii.)

5 And he subdued countries of nations, and princes; and they became tributaries to him.

Ver. 5. No explanation given.

6 And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.

Ver. 6. Bed. Some suppose through poison, (Diodorus xvii.; St. Jerome, ad Lætam.) or excess of wine. (Atheneus x. 11.) --- This was enough. (Haydock) --- So perished the man who would claim divine honours! (Calmet)

7 And he called his servants, the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

Ver. 7. Servants. On the ninth day of sickness which preceded his death, he admitted all his soldiers to kiss his hand. Then he asked his friends, if they thought they should find such another king? As they were silent, he predicted what bloodshed would ensue, and told them to bury him in the temple of Ammon. When they asked to whom he left the throne, he said, "to the most worthy." He gave his ring to Perdiccas; whence all inferred, that he should be regent till the proper heirs came of age. Perdiccas desired to know when he would have divine honours: to which Alexander [the Great] replied with these his last words, "when you are happy:" (Just. xii.; Diodorus xvii.) as much as to say, never. (Haydock) --- This seems contrary to the sacred historian. But his authority is far superior. (Calmet) --- Kingdom. This is otherwise by Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some authors. (liber[book] x.) But here we find from the sacred text that he was in error. (Challoner) --- By delivering his ring to Perdiccas, Alexander gave him authority to make this division. (Worthington) --- Many assert, that he gave him directions in his last will. This was observed for some time, ver. 10.

8 And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.*(Year of the World 3681, Year before Christ 323)

Ver. 8. Twelve. Josephus, &c. Some add, a few months. He was about thirty-three years old.

9 And his servants made themselves kings, every one in his place:

Ver. 9. No explanation given.

10 And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them, many years; and evils were multiplied in the earth.

Ver. 10. Death, twelve years being expired, when all the posterity of Alexander [the Great] were dead. His generals gradually destroyed each other, and four took the diadem at the same time: Ptolemy, in Egypt; Seleucus, in Syria; Cassander, in Macedonia; and Lysimachus, in Thrace. (Just. xiii., and xv.) (Calmet) --- Those who choose to read in order, may, after the preface [in] 2 Machabees ii. 20., read the above, then 2 Machabees iii. 1. (Worthington)

11 And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year *(Year of the World 3829, Year before Christ 175) of the kingdom of the Greeks.

Ver. 11. Antiochus the illustrious; Epiphanes, the younger son of Antiochus the great, who usurped the kingdom, to the prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder brother, Seleucus Philopater. (Challoner) --- Epiphanes means "renowed." (Worthington) --- He took this title, particularly after the Samaritans had offered it to him. (Josephus, Antiquities xii.; Vaillant. A. 145.) --- His medals have always God prefixed, "the god appearing;" as he came opportunely, like a god, to defend the kingdom against the Egyptians, after he had been fourteen years a hostage at Rome. (Calmet) --- Nothing could be more abject than his character. (St. Jerome, in Daniel viii., and ix.) (Atheneus v. 4., and x. 12.) --- Greeks, counting not from the beginning of the reign of Alexander [the Great], but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator. (Challoner) --- The era of the Seleucides began in spring or autumn, the year of the world 3692, the year before Christ 312, though the Chaldeans and Ptolemy date from the following spring. (Calmet) --- The Grecian monarchy had then stood twenty years. (Eusebius) (Worthington)

12 In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.

Ver. 12. Men. Jason attempted to supplant Onias III and introduced pagan customs, when he was dead. Menelaus treated him in like manner. Being cited to pay what he had promised, he left Lysimachus in his place, who was slain in the temple, which he was robbing, 2 Machabees iv. --- Us. Thus the Jews complained in the days of Jeremias, (xliv. 18.) and the Christian religion was blamed for all the miseries which fell upon the Roman empire. (Calmet) --- St. Augustine proves in his City of God, that this accusation was false. (Haydock)

13 And the word seemed good in their eyes.

Ver. 13. No explanation given.

14 And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathens.

Ver. 14. No explanation given.

15 And they built a place of exercise in Jerusalem, according to the laws of the nations:

Ver. 15. Exercise, to wrestle (Calmet) and teach. (Lyranus)

16 And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil:

Ver. 16. Made. St. Jerome thinks the attempt useless. But the Jews discovered the art. (St. Epiphanius; Pond. xvi.; Bartol.) (1 Corinthians vii. 18.) --- Sold to the devil, becoming his instruments, 3 Kings xxi. 25., and Romans vii. 14. (Calmet) --- Go to 2 Machabees iv. 7.

17 *( Year of the World 3834, Year before Christ 170) And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.

Ver. 17. Egypt. He coveted this kingdom, having Syria already. (Worthington) --- He was not very fit for war: but Egypt was not under Philometor a child, and Ephphanes made an easy conquest. This was his second visit to that country. While he besieged Alexandria, a report of his death was spread; and as he was informed that the Jews rejoiced at it, he fell upon them, ver. 21. (Calmet) --- After ver. 20, read 2 Machabees iv. 21. (Worthington)

18 And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships:

Ver. 18. No explanation given.

19 And he made war against Ptolemee, king of Egypt; but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence, and fled, and many were wounded unto death.

Ver. 19. No explanation given.

20 And he took the strong cities in the land of Egypt: and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.

Ver. 20. No explanation given.

21 And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt, in the hundred and forty-third year, *(Year of the World 3834) he returned and went up against Israel.

Ver. 21. No explanation given.

22 And he went up to Jerusalem, with a great multitude.

Ver. 22. No explanation given.

23 And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.

Ver. 23. Sanctuary. Josephus (Antiquities xii. 6.) writes, that Antiochus slew such as opposed his entrance into the city, and afterwards those who opened the gates, but would have prevented his plundering the temple. (Worthington) --- Menelaus conducted the king, 2 Machabees v. 15. Profane authors condemn this conduct of the king towards a city subject to him. (Josephus, contra Apion 2.) --- Diodorus relates several fables on this occasion. (Calmet)

24 And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures, which he found: and when he had taken all away, he departed into his own country.

Ver. 24. No explanation given.

25 And he made a great slaughter of men, and spoke very proudly.

Ver. 25. No explanation given.

26 And there was great mourning in Israel, and in every place where they were:

Ver. 26. No explanation given.

27 And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.

Ver. 27. No explanation given.

28 Every bridegroom took up lamentation: and the bride that sat in the marriage bed, mourned:

Ver. 28. No explanation given.

29 And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.

Ver. 29. No explanation given.

30 And after two full years, *(Year of the World 3836, Year before Christ 168) the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.

Ver. 30. The chief collector, &c. Apollonius. (Challoner) (2 Machabees v. 24.) (Worthington) --- He basely fell upon the unsuspecting citizens on a sabbath day. (Haydock)

31 And he spoke to them peaceable words in deceit; and they believed him.

Ver. 31. No explanation given.

32 And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel.

Ver. 32. No explanation given.

33 And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:

Ver. 33. Fire, thus destroying a great part. (Josephus, Antiquities xii. 7.)

34 And they took the women captive, and the children, and the cattle they possessed.

Ver. 34. No explanation given.

35 And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:

Ver. 35. The city of David. That is, the castle of Sion. (Challoner) --- In it was placed a garrison of Macedonians. (Worthington) --- This castle had been occupied by Syrians before. It was now enlarged, 2 Machabees iv. 27., and v. 5.

36 And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armour, and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem;

Ver. 36. No explanation given.

37 And laid them up there: and they became a great snare.

Ver. 37. No explanation given.

38 And this was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil devil in Israel.

Ver. 38. Sanctuary, to pillage all who came to the temple. (Calmet) --- An evil devil. Literally, an adversary, watching constantly to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and seeking whom he could devour. (Challoner)

39 And they shed innocent blood round about the sanctuary, and defiled the holy place.

Ver. 39. No explanation given.

40 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them, and the city was made the habitation of strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.

Ver. 40. Fled with Judas, &c. (2 Machabees v.) Josephus (Antiquities xii. 7.) assures us that the Samaritans flattered Epiphanes, and begged their temple might be consecrated to Jupiter, &c. They pretended that they were of Sidonian extraction.

41 Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.

Ver. 41. No explanation given.

42 Her dishonour was increased according to her glory, and her excellency was turned into mourning.

Ver. 42. No explanation given.

43 *( Year of the World 3837, Year before Christ 167) And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.

Ver. 43. Be one. This reason herself teaches. But the king wished to establish a false religion, or rather he desired to root out all religion, and to shew his authority. (Haydock) --- Demere superstitionem & mores Græcorum dare adnixus. (Tacitus v.) --- He was not content with plunder, unless he ruined souls. (Worthington)

44 And all nations consented, according to the word of king Antiochus.

Ver. 44. No explanation given.

45 And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.

Ver. 45. Service, or worship, (Calmet) introduced by Epiphanes. (Haydock)

46 And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda; that they should follow the law of the nations of the earth.

Ver. 46. No explanation given.

47 And should forbid holocausts and sacrifices, and atonements to be made in the temple of God.

Ver. 47. No explanation given.

48 And should prohibit the sabbath, and the festival days to be celebrated.

Ver. 48. No explanation given.

49 And he commanded the holy places to be profaned, and the holy people of Israel.

Ver. 49. People. He forced them to eat forbidden meat.

50 And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine's flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts,

Ver. 50. No explanation given.

51 And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God.

Ver. 51. No explanation given.

52 And that whosoever would not do according to the word of king Antiochus, should be put to death.

Ver. 52. No explanation given.

53 According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom: and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things.

Ver. 53. No explanation given.

54 And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.

Ver. 54. No explanation given.

55 Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:

Ver. 55. No explanation given.

56 And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.

Ver. 56. No explanation given.

57 On the fifteenth day of the month, Casleu, in the hundred and forty-fifth year, *(Year of the World 3837) king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:

Ver. 57. Fifteenth. In all other places the 25th, whence this may be incorrect, (Calmet) or the altar was now set up, (Haydock) though sacrifices were not yet offered. (Calmet) --- Idol. The statue of Jupiter Olympius, (Challoner) as Daniel (ix.) had foretold, as a figure of what antichrist would do, (Matthew xxiv.; Worthington) as well as the Romans, when they took Jerusalem.

58 And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors of the houses and in the streets.

Ver. 58. Doors, to Trivia, Isaias lvii. 8. (Calmet)

59 And they cut in pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of God:

Ver. 59. Law, and all the sacred writings. (Josephus; Sulpitius ii.) --- The pious Jews secreted what they could, and Judas took care to collect them, 2 Machabees i. 14., and iii. 48. (Calmet)

60 And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king.

Ver. 60. No explanation given.

61 Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.

Ver. 61. After month. The officers took an account of the slain, (Grotius) or the dedication of the statue was renewed, or rather the king's nativity was kept, 2 Machabees vi. 7. (Calmet) --- But this would only occur once a-year. People were compelled to sacrifice on the same day of each month on which the statue had been dedicated, ver. 62.

62 And on the five and twentieth day of the month, they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over-against the altar of God.

Ver. 62. Over-against, or (Haydock) "upon," epi. The Greek altars were of a smaller size.

63 Now the women that circumcised their children, were slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus,

Ver. 63. No explanation given.

64 And they hanged the children about their necks in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.

Ver. 64. No explanation given.

65 And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die, than to be defiled with unclean meats:

Ver. 65. Many. Eleazar, and the seven Machabees, &c. (Calmet)

66 And they would not break the holy law of God, and they were put to death:

Ver. 66. No explanation given.

67 And there was very great wrath upon the people.

Ver. 67. Wrath. God seemed displeased, as he was with too many. The pious were exposed to various trials, and to the fury of persecutors. (Haydock) --- Read 2 Machabees v. 11. (Worthington)

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