Ptolemy X And Cleopatra VII example essay topic

Cleopatra is a name that was given to many Queens who ruled in Egypt. The most famous of these women was Cleopatra VII. She was the daughter of Ptolemy XII, King of Egypt. Cleopatra VII lived from 69-30 B.C. and reigned as queen of Egypt from 51-30 B.C. (Stanly). Cleopatra is said to be far from beautiful, her picture on ancient coins made her look like she had a long hooked nose and masculine features.

She is also said to be very seductive with her enchanting musical voice and exuded charisma. She was also very intelligent and a great ruler. She spoke nine different languages. She was the only Egyptian Queen who could actually speak Egyptian (History). The Ptolemy family had ruled Egypt since 305 B.C. After the death of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy I declared himself King of Egypt. The Ptolemy family was of Macedonian descent, part Greek and part Iranian.

Cleopatra's father Ptolemy XII, full name was Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos Aul etes (which means flute-player in Greek), he began ruling in 80 B.C. and continued to rule until his death in 51 B.C. (Nardo). Cleopatra's mother is said to have been Cleopatra V Tryphaena, who either died or disappeared in 69 B.C. Cleopatra had two older sisters; Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV, and one younger sister, Arsine IV. She also had two younger brothers Ptolemy X and Ptolemy XIV, both of whom she had to marry (Nardo). In 58 B.C. Berenice IV took over the kingdom forcing her father, Ptolemy XII, to flee to Rome.

She ruled Egypt until he regained the throne in 55 B.C. and he had her beheaded (History). Cleopatra's other sister disappeared sometime between 58-55 B.C. Ptolemy XII named Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy X as heirs to the throne, and when he died they took over (Nardo). A rule established by Ptolemy II stated that you had to marry your sibling if ruling a country together. So Ptolemy X and Cleopatra VII married, but strictly as a rule. Cleopatra VII was eighteen and Ptolemy was only ten when they were named King and Queen of Egypt in 51 B.C. (History). For the most part Cleopatra did most of the ruling.

Ptolemy was very na " ive to with his advisors. They would tell him what to do. Finally, three years after Cleopatra had ruled they advised him to take total control of the kingdom. He went with his advisors and Cleopatra was forced in exile. Cleopatra fled to Syria where she began to construct an army for her revenge (Stanley).

Julius Caesar arrives in Alexandria to bring order among the King and Queen. Cleopatra knew she had to tell Caesar what was really happening. She disguised herself; by rolling herself up in carpet, and was carried into the castle. She knew that if anyone would catch her Ptolemy X would have her beheaded. She made it up to the room where Caesar was staying and when she fell out of the carpet "it is said they stayed the night together and that evening began one of histories greatest love stories" (Stanley). The next morning Ptolemy X was shocked to find Cleopatra at Caesars side.

He stormed out of the palace screaming that he had been betrayed. Caesar had Ptolemy arrested, but Pharaohs army attacked the palace. The Alexandrian War had started. The war went on for six months. It ended when Pothinus was killed in a battle, and Ptolemy X drowned in the Nile River trying to escape (Nardo). The city of Alexandria surrendered to Caesar.

Caesar held Aris noe captive and restored Cleopatra to the throne. Again she was forced to marry her other brother, Ptolemy XIV (Nardo). After the war, Cleopatra showed Caesar every pleasure and luxury she had to offer. A two-month tour up the Nile River is said to be the time when she became pregnant. After the cruise Caesar returned to Rome leaving behind three legions to look after and Cleopatra. She gave birth to his son, Ptolemy XV (Caesarion), on June 23 47 B.C. (Arab).

In 46 B.C. one year later Caesar invited them to Rome. The two were received with great honor in Rome and a golden statue was dedicated by Caesar to Cleopatra and placed in the temple of Venus Gene trix (History). Cleopatra stayed in Rome for two years. The Romans were starting to get upset by this extra marital affair the two were having. Caesar was already married to a woman named Calpurnia. (Ludwig) Caesar planned on becoming King of Rome, this enraged the Romans.

Caesar was assassinated at a Senate meeting in 44 B.C. Rome was then divided among three men. They were Octavian, Marcus Lepidus, and Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony). Fearing for her life Cleopatra and her family returned to Alexandria. She put her son Ptolemy XV (Caesarion) on the throne with her. After the battle of Philippi, in 42 B.C., Mark Antony called Cleopatra to Tarsus to arrange a meeting for helping him with his financial situation.

(Cleopatra). Cleopatra saw another chance to advance her power. She charmed Antony with her ways. She arrived in style on a barge with a gilded stem, purple sails, and silver oars. The boat was sailed by her maids dressed as sea nymphs, and she was dressed as the goddess Venus (goddess of love). She was under a golden canopy being fanned by boys dressed as cupid.

He began to fall in love with her (Cleopatra). Antony returned to Egypt with her and for a year from 41-40 B.C. she was his mistress, confidante, and companion. However, he was compelled to return to Rome to fulfill his duties there. For four years they were separated. During which time their twins were then born Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene (Arab).

Antony granted Cleopatra part of his territories in Syria. She then became pregnant again with Ptolemy Philadelphus. Antonys' powers were taken away from him by Rome. Octavian declared war on Antony and Cleopatra in 32 B.C. (Arab). It soon became clear to her that her dreams of power could not come true with him at her side (Cleopatra). Cleopatra then locked herself in her room with two servants and word got to Antony that she was supposedly dead; Antony tried to kill himself, he fell on his sword but did not die.

"As he laid suffering, a messenger came to him bearing the heartbreaking truth; The first message had been false. Cleopatra was alive, barricaded in her tomb" (Stanly). When Antony was brought into Cleopatra he died in her arms (History). After Antonys death Cleopatra too, killed herself by a snakebite. She died on August 12.30 B.C., at the age of 39 (History). Octavian put Caesarion to death ending the family's long rule of Egypt.

Egypt then became part of the Roman Empire (Cleopatra). Cleopatra is the definition of feminine power. She can very well be one of the first notable women in history. She was a very powerful woman; she knew what she wanted very early in life.

Cleopatra life storey is not how powerful she became for a woman in her time, but what she did for love; the love of Egypt and the love of a man..