Its been a while since I was away...
Coming with yet another story...
Keep checking the space for there is story unfolding....
Coming with yet another story...
Keep checking the space for there is story unfolding....
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday, December 19, 2008
CLEOPATRA : A BEAUTY OR MYTH
A beauty or beguiler ? A brilliant leader or a ruthless destroyer, a greedy power monger or a courageous leader, a ravishing lady or destroyer of Great men, a richly costumed beauty or a melodramatic actress, a Goddess, a Queen, a Pharaoh..
Which of these portrayals is true?
Her name is synonymous with beauty and intrigue. Although her ambitions were never realized. She has achieved immortality through her personal story of love and tragedy.
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator (means Goddess loving her father) was born in January 69 B.C.E* in Alexandria, Egypt. She descended from the line of rulers that began with Ptolmey I, a General who served under Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C.E. Ptolemey I became the king of Egypt in 323 B.C.E that is, after the death of
Alexander The Great.
Since two centuries preceding Ptolemy Auletes's death (father of Cleopatra VII) in 51 B.C.E the Ptolemies' strength was failing and the Roman Empire was rising. City after city was falling to the Roman power and the Ptolemies could do nothing but create a pact with them. When Ptolemy Auletes died, the fall of the Dynasty appeared to be even closer.
Cleopatra's Rise as a Ruler
She took the throne at the age of eighteen years after the death of her father Ptolemy XII Auletes, her mother was probably Auletes's sister Cleopatra V Tryphaena.
It was common for the members of Ptolemic dynasty to marry their siblings according to prevalent laws. She had two elder sisters Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV as well as a younger sister Arsinoe IV. She had two younger brothers as well, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. It is believed that Cleopatra VI may have died as a child and Auletes had Berenice beheaded. Cleopatra (Cleopatra VII Philopator) took the throne as co-regent with her brothers "Ptolemy XIII" (51- 47 B.C.E) and "Ptolemy XIV" (47 – 44 B.C.E). As according to Egyptian Law, Queen was forced to have a consort, who was either a brother or a son, no matter what age, throughout her reign.
She was married to her younger brother Ptolemy XIII when he was twelve. She soon dropped her brother's name from any official documents regardless of the Ptolemaic insistence that the male presence be first among co-rulers.
She also had her own portrait and name on coins of that time, ignoring her brother's. After death of Ptolemy XIII she had a consort with Ptolemy XIV who was eleven that time just to please Alexandrians and Egyptian priests. She had him assasinated by influencing Marc Antony in mid 44 B.C.E and established his son from Julius Caeser, Ptolemy XV Caesarion (44 - 30 B.C.E) as her co-regent at the age of four. He was given the Royal title of the "King of Kings" and Cleopatra called the "Queen of Kings" which was higher position than Caesarion's till her death on 12 Aug 30 B.C.E after her defeat by Octavian in the war of Actium.
In the same Royal Ceremony with Marc Antony sitting on throne with her, their children Alexander Helios (means The Sun) was named Great King of Seleucid empire when it was at its highest, Cleopatra Selene (means The Moon) was called Queen of Cyrenaica and Crete. Ptolemy Philadelphos was named King of Syria and Asia Minor at the age of two. After her death Octavian had Ptolmey XV Caesarean killed in August 30 B.C.E to become the Roman Emperor Augustus.
He reportedly commented on his act that "two Caeser's are one too many", being Caesarean and himself heirs to Julius Caeser, but he spared Cleopatra's other children Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene and Ptolemy Philadelphos from Marc Antony.
It is believed that she had no other lovers other than Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius. Many believe that she did what she felt was necessary to try to save Alexandria, whatever the price. Cleopatra had sought the near impossible - to prevent Rome from subjugating Egypt, and to make Alexandria capital of the East, equal in power with Rome, even through an alliance gained by marriage with a Roman.
Reign of Cleopatra
Though she was the queen of Egypt her family heritage was of Macedonian Greek. When Cleopatra became co-regent, her world was crumbling down around her. Cyprus, Coele-Syria and Cyrenaica were gone. There was anarchy abroad and famine at home. Cleopatra was a strong-willed Macedonian queen who was brilliant and dreamed of a greater world empire. She almost achieved it. Whether her way of getting it done was for her own desires or for the pursuit of power will never be known for certain. However, like many Hellenistic queens, she was passionate but not promiscuous.
Where did she live?
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was the Egypt's last Pharaoh, she reigned over Egypt from her capital city Alexandria a cosmopolitan centre of culture and learning. This wealthy harbour city on the Meditteranean is still remembered for its Library and Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.
But for two years during her reign she lived in Rome. Why? A romantic liasion with Julius Caeser led her there, in pursuit of power and continued independence for Egypt. She had dreams of becoming the Empress of The World and she was very close to achieve that and her favourite oath was:
"As surely as I shall yet dispense justice on the Roman Capital"
Beauty Redefined
There are various illustrations and accounts of Cleopatra's beauty and charm.
Reports of Cleopatra's beauty are apparently exaggerated, according to articles published in the British media. On the occasion of her exhibition in the British Museum in London, some reports in the media would have us believe that Cleopatra was hook-nosed, dumpy and had bad teeth.
The statues on display and the coins carrying Cleopatra's head show a royal looking image with firm features and wide eyes.
Philosopher Blaise Pascal made the famous remark that:
"Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed."
There may be a slight exaggeration of the nose proportion in one of the statues, but the coin illustrates a fine pointed nose, in good proportion to the face. Cleopatra was certainly not ugly.
Unless it is a publicity stunt, no one as well as Egyptologists would take such descriptions of Cleopatra seriously. Even the curators of the British Museum admit that very few portraits of the queen survived, and they are anything but consistent.
The evidence of contemporary description of Cleopatra was discounted out of hand, because the writers, such as Cicero, were born a few years after Cleopatra's death. There was mention of her irresistible charm, her seductive voice and eloquent speech in his writings. Cicero wrote in the first century B.C.E:
"Her character, which pervaded her actions in an inexplicable way when meeting people, was utterly spellbinding. The sound of her voice was sweet when she talked".
Plutarch once quoted that " her beauty was not in itself quite incomparable we are told, but converse with her had an irresistible charm. Her presence, combined with the persuasiveness of her discourse and the character which was somehow diffused about her behavior towards others, had something stimulating about it. There was a sweetness also in the tones of voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings, she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased, so that in her interviews with barbarians she seldom had need of an interpreter, but mostly made her replies unaided, whether the men were Ethiopians, Hebrews, Arabians, Syrians, Medes, or Persians."
The evidence given for being fat, is also flimsy. Her ancestors were believed to suffer from weight problems. There is also no evidence of Cleopatra being only 5 ft. tall, except a description in a recent catalogue that she was "petite".
A report in 'Quality' publication said that "Cleopatra the queen of ancient Egypt who seduced Julius Caeser and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) with her irresistible beauty, has been revealed as a short, frumpish and in need of a good dentist. Though the alleged teeth problem was attributed to eating the awful Egyptian bread.
The statues of her show the queen as a plain looking with a streak of sternness and she appears to be plump.
Yet no hard evidence has been given for her magical influence and ability to seduce the most powerful men of her time. Her charm was attributed to strength of character and mental charisma.
She was the first of the Ptolemies to learn to speak Egyptian in addition to several other languages she had command over. But her first language was Greek. Her handwriting has been found in Greek on a royal decree. With the words "Make It Happen", she granted tax exempt status to a Roman General who was Marcus Antonius's right hand man.
Cleopatra was the first woman since Queen Artemisia of Halicarnassus (who invaded Greece with Xerxes) to take a fleet to sea.
She reputedly wrote a pamphlet on cosmetics, another on Egyptian weights and measures, and still another on alchemy.
The evidence of beauty of Cleopatra, whom we know as the Goddess of beauty can be found in this coin that dates from the reign of Cleopatra. It may be a good likeness, since it was an official portrait.
The painters , playwrights, poets, sculptors and movie makers have created their own images of Cleopatra from ancient times, through middle ages to modern world Hollywood. Their versions may vary and have helped build a myth of her beauty. Perhaps she was beautiful, but her power and charisma also enhanced how people saw her.
Julius Caeser and Cleopatra
Assuming Cleopatra's beauty beyond doubt, the love of two powerful men of her era testified to that.In 47 B.C.E when Caeser came to Egypt she was brought into Caesar's presence wrapped in a carpet on the shoulder of her servant Apollodorus, who proceeded to unroll her - a dramatic entrance which delighted Caesar and they become lovers that night only.
Cleopatra and Caesar spent that winter together, often feasting until dawn, and in the spring they went on a trip up the Nile, as much for propaganda as pleasure, in a 300-ft.-long barge, a floating palace with gardens, banquet rooms, and grottoes, followed by 400 ships carrying troops and supplies.
Caesar celebrated his Egyptian triumph (the parade was complete with a rare giraffe and a model of the Pharos) and made the mistake of dedicating a gold statue to Cleopatra in the Temple of Venus Genetrix (the divine ancestor of the Roman people).
It was Caesar who went as far as putting up a golden statue of Cleopatra in the Temple of Venus in Rome, making her the first living human to share a temple with a Roman God - a frank recognition of her divinity and beauty by Caesar himself which added to the Romans' alarm at his affair with a queen from the exotic and militarily dangerous East, and it was fuel for his enemies' fire.
Romans were in favour of a republic and hated ancient kings. In 48 BC. Julius Caesar obtained a one year dictatorship and to consolidate his power he further engaged in warfare. By the end of December 47 B.C.E he defeated Cato, his republican opponent. When this news spread to Rome the City payed tribute to the triumphant Caeser and they offered him dictatorship for a period of no less than ten years.
Marcus Brutus and other senators with him, formed a conspiracy and murdered Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 B.C.E, with 23 stab wounds.
Though Cleopatra VII was not as pretty as her charm and ambition, that made two Roman leaders - Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) fall into deep love with her. Despite her political foresight, she had notably contributed to the fall of both, and her political career ending in absolute failure.
Cleopatra as Goddess
Cleopatra VII was Egypt's last Pharaoh and Pharaohs were believed to be Gods and Goddesses by the people. Cleopatra used this status to increase her power and control promoting herself as Isis, the Mother Goddess of ancient Egypt.
Cleopatra imitated other Goddesses as well.
After battle of Philippi, Mark Antony called Cleopatra, with other Eastern rulers, to Tarsus (today Turkey). With her great sense of style, she sailed up the River Cydnus in a purple-sailed barge, silver oars beating time to flute music. Maidens dressed as sea nymphs and graces clustered around her as she lay, dressed as Greek Goddess Venus (Aphrodite) under a canopy, as Antony waited in the forum. .
It was perhaps the most deservedly famous and extravagant entrance in all history. The banquets she served Antony were equally extravagant. In a salon where mirrors reflected the light and incense burned, guests ate from jewel-inlaid gold plates and drank from gold goblets while they sat on embroidered couches, at the end of the banquets, they were given everything, including the couches, to take home. One night, the room was carpeted 18 in. deep in roses.
To Greeks they presented themselves as Dionysus and Aphrodite and to Egyptians as Osiris and Isis.
She was rich beyond imagination. As Pharaoh she owned all of Egypt, its people, its land and its material goods. She received a share of all crops, products and trade and she could order the creation of anythingshe desired. Egypt was conquered by Rome in 30 B.C.E, its riches were plundered and taken to Italy. Her fortune was so great, that the influx caused an instant drop in Rome's interest rate from 12% to 4%.
Death of An Era
Antony, after a valiant last stand against Octavian's army in Battle of Actium, heard through a false report that Cleopatra had committed suicide, he fell on his sword. After Antony's death, Cleopatra was taken to Octavian where her role in Octavian's triumph was carefully explained to her. He had no interest in any relationship, negotiation or reconciliation with the Queen of Egypt. She would be displayed as a slave in the cities she had ruled over.
She decided against living this way and she had an asp, which was an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs. She died on August 12, 30 B.C.E at the age of 39. The Egyptian religion declared that death by snakebite would secure immortality. With this, she achieved her dying wish, to not be forgotten. Roman soldiers found her dead on a couch, dressed in the robes of Isis. Her exit was as spectacular as her entrances had been.
Her death was the mark of the end of the Egyptian Monarchs. The Roman Emperors came in to rule in Egypt after her death.
Epilogue:
What is often not associated with Cleopatra was her brilliance and her devotion to her country. She was a quick-witted woman who was fluent in nine languages, however, Latin was not one of them. She was a mathematician and a very good businesswoman.
She had a genuine respect for Caesar, whose intelligence and wit matched her own. Antony on the other hand almost drove her insane with his lack of intelligence and his excesses. She dealt with him and made the most of what she had to do. She fought for her country. She had a charismatic personality, was a born leader and an ambitious monarch who deserved better than suicide.
* B.C.E (Before Common Era) is equivalent to B.C(Before Christ) and C.E (Common Era) is equivalent to A.D (Anno Domini). Due to increased usage is expected to get replaced by B.C.E and C.E.
All pictures are in public domain
Which of these portrayals is true?
Her name is synonymous with beauty and intrigue. Although her ambitions were never realized. She has achieved immortality through her personal story of love and tragedy.
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator (means Goddess loving her father) was born in January 69 B.C.E* in Alexandria, Egypt. She descended from the line of rulers that began with Ptolmey I, a General who served under Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C.E. Ptolemey I became the king of Egypt in 323 B.C.E that is, after the death of
Alexander The Great.Since two centuries preceding Ptolemy Auletes's death (father of Cleopatra VII) in 51 B.C.E the Ptolemies' strength was failing and the Roman Empire was rising. City after city was falling to the Roman power and the Ptolemies could do nothing but create a pact with them. When Ptolemy Auletes died, the fall of the Dynasty appeared to be even closer.
Cleopatra's Rise as a Ruler
She took the throne at the age of eighteen years after the death of her father Ptolemy XII Auletes, her mother was probably Auletes's sister Cleopatra V Tryphaena.
It was common for the members of Ptolemic dynasty to marry their siblings according to prevalent laws. She had two elder sisters Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV as well as a younger sister Arsinoe IV. She had two younger brothers as well, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. It is believed that Cleopatra VI may have died as a child and Auletes had Berenice beheaded. Cleopatra (Cleopatra VII Philopator) took the throne as co-regent with her brothers "Ptolemy XIII" (51- 47 B.C.E) and "Ptolemy XIV" (47 – 44 B.C.E). As according to Egyptian Law, Queen was forced to have a consort, who was either a brother or a son, no matter what age, throughout her reign.
She was married to her younger brother Ptolemy XIII when he was twelve. She soon dropped her brother's name from any official documents regardless of the Ptolemaic insistence that the male presence be first among co-rulers.
She also had her own portrait and name on coins of that time, ignoring her brother's. After death of Ptolemy XIII she had a consort with Ptolemy XIV who was eleven that time just to please Alexandrians and Egyptian priests. She had him assasinated by influencing Marc Antony in mid 44 B.C.E and established his son from Julius Caeser, Ptolemy XV Caesarion (44 - 30 B.C.E) as her co-regent at the age of four. He was given the Royal title of the "King of Kings" and Cleopatra called the "Queen of Kings" which was higher position than Caesarion's till her death on 12 Aug 30 B.C.E after her defeat by Octavian in the war of Actium.
In the same Royal Ceremony with Marc Antony sitting on throne with her, their children Alexander Helios (means The Sun) was named Great King of Seleucid empire when it was at its highest, Cleopatra Selene (means The Moon) was called Queen of Cyrenaica and Crete. Ptolemy Philadelphos was named King of Syria and Asia Minor at the age of two. After her death Octavian had Ptolmey XV Caesarean killed in August 30 B.C.E to become the Roman Emperor Augustus.
He reportedly commented on his act that "two Caeser's are one too many", being Caesarean and himself heirs to Julius Caeser, but he spared Cleopatra's other children Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene and Ptolemy Philadelphos from Marc Antony.
It is believed that she had no other lovers other than Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius. Many believe that she did what she felt was necessary to try to save Alexandria, whatever the price. Cleopatra had sought the near impossible - to prevent Rome from subjugating Egypt, and to make Alexandria capital of the East, equal in power with Rome, even through an alliance gained by marriage with a Roman.
Reign of Cleopatra
Though she was the queen of Egypt her family heritage was of Macedonian Greek. When Cleopatra became co-regent, her world was crumbling down around her. Cyprus, Coele-Syria and Cyrenaica were gone. There was anarchy abroad and famine at home. Cleopatra was a strong-willed Macedonian queen who was brilliant and dreamed of a greater world empire. She almost achieved it. Whether her way of getting it done was for her own desires or for the pursuit of power will never be known for certain. However, like many Hellenistic queens, she was passionate but not promiscuous.
Where did she live?
Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was the Egypt's last Pharaoh, she reigned over Egypt from her capital city Alexandria a cosmopolitan centre of culture and learning. This wealthy harbour city on the Meditteranean is still remembered for its Library and Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World.
But for two years during her reign she lived in Rome. Why? A romantic liasion with Julius Caeser led her there, in pursuit of power and continued independence for Egypt. She had dreams of becoming the Empress of The World and she was very close to achieve that and her favourite oath was:
"As surely as I shall yet dispense justice on the Roman Capital"
Beauty Redefined
There are various illustrations and accounts of Cleopatra's beauty and charm.
Reports of Cleopatra's beauty are apparently exaggerated, according to articles published in the British media. On the occasion of her exhibition in the British Museum in London, some reports in the media would have us believe that Cleopatra was hook-nosed, dumpy and had bad teeth.
The statues on display and the coins carrying Cleopatra's head show a royal looking image with firm features and wide eyes.
Philosopher Blaise Pascal made the famous remark that:
"Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed."
There may be a slight exaggeration of the nose proportion in one of the statues, but the coin illustrates a fine pointed nose, in good proportion to the face. Cleopatra was certainly not ugly.
Unless it is a publicity stunt, no one as well as Egyptologists would take such descriptions of Cleopatra seriously. Even the curators of the British Museum admit that very few portraits of the queen survived, and they are anything but consistent.
The evidence of contemporary description of Cleopatra was discounted out of hand, because the writers, such as Cicero, were born a few years after Cleopatra's death. There was mention of her irresistible charm, her seductive voice and eloquent speech in his writings. Cicero wrote in the first century B.C.E:
"Her character, which pervaded her actions in an inexplicable way when meeting people, was utterly spellbinding. The sound of her voice was sweet when she talked".Plutarch once quoted that " her beauty was not in itself quite incomparable we are told, but converse with her had an irresistible charm. Her presence, combined with the persuasiveness of her discourse and the character which was somehow diffused about her behavior towards others, had something stimulating about it. There was a sweetness also in the tones of voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings, she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased, so that in her interviews with barbarians she seldom had need of an interpreter, but mostly made her replies unaided, whether the men were Ethiopians, Hebrews, Arabians, Syrians, Medes, or Persians."
The evidence given for being fat, is also flimsy. Her ancestors were believed to suffer from weight problems. There is also no evidence of Cleopatra being only 5 ft. tall, except a description in a recent catalogue that she was "petite".
A report in 'Quality' publication said that "Cleopatra the queen of ancient Egypt who seduced Julius Caeser and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) with her irresistible beauty, has been revealed as a short, frumpish and in need of a good dentist. Though the alleged teeth problem was attributed to eating the awful Egyptian bread.
The statues of her show the queen as a plain looking with a streak of sternness and she appears to be plump.
Yet no hard evidence has been given for her magical influence and ability to seduce the most powerful men of her time. Her charm was attributed to strength of character and mental charisma.
She was the first of the Ptolemies to learn to speak Egyptian in addition to several other languages she had command over. But her first language was Greek. Her handwriting has been found in Greek on a royal decree. With the words "Make It Happen", she granted tax exempt status to a Roman General who was Marcus Antonius's right hand man.
Cleopatra was the first woman since Queen Artemisia of Halicarnassus (who invaded Greece with Xerxes) to take a fleet to sea.
She reputedly wrote a pamphlet on cosmetics, another on Egyptian weights and measures, and still another on alchemy.
The evidence of beauty of Cleopatra, whom we know as the Goddess of beauty can be found in this coin that dates from the reign of Cleopatra. It may be a good likeness, since it was an official portrait.
The painters , playwrights, poets, sculptors and movie makers have created their own images of Cleopatra from ancient times, through middle ages to modern world Hollywood. Their versions may vary and have helped build a myth of her beauty. Perhaps she was beautiful, but her power and charisma also enhanced how people saw her.
Julius Caeser and Cleopatra
Assuming Cleopatra's beauty beyond doubt, the love of two powerful men of her era testified to that.In 47 B.C.E when Caeser came to Egypt she was brought into Caesar's presence wrapped in a carpet on the shoulder of her servant Apollodorus, who proceeded to unroll her - a dramatic entrance which delighted Caesar and they become lovers that night only.
Cleopatra and Caesar spent that winter together, often feasting until dawn, and in the spring they went on a trip up the Nile, as much for propaganda as pleasure, in a 300-ft.-long barge, a floating palace with gardens, banquet rooms, and grottoes, followed by 400 ships carrying troops and supplies.
Caesar celebrated his Egyptian triumph (the parade was complete with a rare giraffe and a model of the Pharos) and made the mistake of dedicating a gold statue to Cleopatra in the Temple of Venus Genetrix (the divine ancestor of the Roman people).
It was Caesar who went as far as putting up a golden statue of Cleopatra in the Temple of Venus in Rome, making her the first living human to share a temple with a Roman God - a frank recognition of her divinity and beauty by Caesar himself which added to the Romans' alarm at his affair with a queen from the exotic and militarily dangerous East, and it was fuel for his enemies' fire.
Romans were in favour of a republic and hated ancient kings. In 48 BC. Julius Caesar obtained a one year dictatorship and to consolidate his power he further engaged in warfare. By the end of December 47 B.C.E he defeated Cato, his republican opponent. When this news spread to Rome the City payed tribute to the triumphant Caeser and they offered him dictatorship for a period of no less than ten years.
Marcus Brutus and other senators with him, formed a conspiracy and murdered Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 B.C.E, with 23 stab wounds.
Though Cleopatra VII was not as pretty as her charm and ambition, that made two Roman leaders - Julius Caesar and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony) fall into deep love with her. Despite her political foresight, she had notably contributed to the fall of both, and her political career ending in absolute failure.
Cleopatra as Goddess
Cleopatra VII was Egypt's last Pharaoh and Pharaohs were believed to be Gods and Goddesses by the people. Cleopatra used this status to increase her power and control promoting herself as Isis, the Mother Goddess of ancient Egypt.
Cleopatra imitated other Goddesses as well.
After battle of Philippi, Mark Antony called Cleopatra, with other Eastern rulers, to Tarsus (today Turkey). With her great sense of style, she sailed up the River Cydnus in a purple-sailed barge, silver oars beating time to flute music. Maidens dressed as sea nymphs and graces clustered around her as she lay, dressed as Greek Goddess Venus (Aphrodite) under a canopy, as Antony waited in the forum. .
It was perhaps the most deservedly famous and extravagant entrance in all history. The banquets she served Antony were equally extravagant. In a salon where mirrors reflected the light and incense burned, guests ate from jewel-inlaid gold plates and drank from gold goblets while they sat on embroidered couches, at the end of the banquets, they were given everything, including the couches, to take home. One night, the room was carpeted 18 in. deep in roses.
To Greeks they presented themselves as Dionysus and Aphrodite and to Egyptians as Osiris and Isis.
She was rich beyond imagination. As Pharaoh she owned all of Egypt, its people, its land and its material goods. She received a share of all crops, products and trade and she could order the creation of anythingshe desired. Egypt was conquered by Rome in 30 B.C.E, its riches were plundered and taken to Italy. Her fortune was so great, that the influx caused an instant drop in Rome's interest rate from 12% to 4%.
Death of An Era
Antony, after a valiant last stand against Octavian's army in Battle of Actium, heard through a false report that Cleopatra had committed suicide, he fell on his sword. After Antony's death, Cleopatra was taken to Octavian where her role in Octavian's triumph was carefully explained to her. He had no interest in any relationship, negotiation or reconciliation with the Queen of Egypt. She would be displayed as a slave in the cities she had ruled over.
She decided against living this way and she had an asp, which was an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs. She died on August 12, 30 B.C.E at the age of 39. The Egyptian religion declared that death by snakebite would secure immortality. With this, she achieved her dying wish, to not be forgotten. Roman soldiers found her dead on a couch, dressed in the robes of Isis. Her exit was as spectacular as her entrances had been.
Her death was the mark of the end of the Egyptian Monarchs. The Roman Emperors came in to rule in Egypt after her death.
Epilogue:
What is often not associated with Cleopatra was her brilliance and her devotion to her country. She was a quick-witted woman who was fluent in nine languages, however, Latin was not one of them. She was a mathematician and a very good businesswoman.
She had a genuine respect for Caesar, whose intelligence and wit matched her own. Antony on the other hand almost drove her insane with his lack of intelligence and his excesses. She dealt with him and made the most of what she had to do. She fought for her country. She had a charismatic personality, was a born leader and an ambitious monarch who deserved better than suicide.
* B.C.E (Before Common Era) is equivalent to B.C(Before Christ) and C.E (Common Era) is equivalent to A.D (Anno Domini). Due to increased usage is expected to get replaced by B.C.E and C.E.
All pictures are in public domain
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