After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E, Ptolemy I established control over Egypt, leading to the dawn of the Ptolemaic dynasty’s dominion. The Ptolemies then went on to rule Egypt for almost three centuries, creating a Hellenistic Egypt that became the intellectual and cultural center of the Mediterranean. The family, which was of Macedonian aristocratic descent, took advantage of Ptolemy I’s connection to Alexander and their possession of his body, in one historian’s words, to buy themselves
breaking the 300 years of Ptolemaic rule filled with rebellion and riots. Cleopatra’s impact on the world in still remembered today, as her achievements are highlighted in numerous books, playwrights, and movies developed based on her existence alone, which share her story of love, power, and tragedy. Being one of the few female rulers of her time, the task of gaining support was definitely not done with ease, especially as she hailed from a background of the Ptolemaic dynasty, one that ruled with
Cleopatra returned safely to the throne. Shortly after the coup, Cleopatra was noticeably pregnant. The product of this pregnancy was a son, named Caesarion, who is widely believed to belong to Caesar. After Cleopatra had successfully inherited the Ptolemaic territories of Syria and Palestine from Caesar, she vowed to find a new suitor who could further propel her towards a stranglehold over the governing power of the Middle East.
Around 69 B.C, one of the most famous female rulers ever known was born, she was Cleopatra. She was the descendent of the Egyptian ruler, Ptolemy XII, and she would eventually became the queen of ancient Egypt herself. She was known for being extremely intelligent and very charming, and because of this many romans feared her and viewed her as a threat. When her father died the throne of Egypt was left to her and her brother, Ptolemy XIII, and rivalry formed between the two, making her even more
countless tutors and she took full advantage of this opportunity. “Her father could read Egyptian symbols, and this may have sparked Cleopatra’s desire to master the Egyptian language, which had not been accomplished by any previous pharaohs in the Ptolemaic dynasty.” (Harold, 28). The earlier rulers were all Greek so they felt that there was no need to learn the tongue of their subjects. While Cleopatra was also of Greek background, she felt her subjects were of great importance and that it was a unique
time so that we may know her story. What better way to describe Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt, Ruler of the Nile, sent from the Gods themselves to lead her people, than “Glory of Her Race”? Cleopatra, the last ruling descendant of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, has arguably unparalleled fame as a female historical figure. Yet we must ask ourselves: why? What is it about this individual that strikes us as so intriguing that we, like the Elizabethans before us, centuries ago, like the Romans two
1 CLEOPATRA Cleopatra VII was the last pharaoh of the Ancient Egypt. Even though her actual name was Cleopatra VII, no one remembered the ones before her so she was simply as known as Cleopatra. Cleopatra is one of the most popular women figures of the ancient world who has ruled a Hellenistic Kingdom in Ancient Egypt between the years 51 BC to 12 BC. Her relationships with the Roman general; Julius Caesar and the Roman politician; Marc Anthony gave her a huge role on the development of the Roman
and also bettered the economy. Egypt was introduced to Greek methods in 331 BCE when Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria. The country of Egypt was left in the hands of Ptolemy when Alexander died. This was the beginning of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, the divided kingdom between Greek and Egyptian ideology. In the duration of the first three pharaohs, this was known as the kingdom’s golden age. During Cleopatra’s existence, Egypt continued to decline and this came across the minds of aspiring
Alexander the Great might be by far the most impressive conqueror of the ancient world. He adopted the progression of an empire that his father Philip II started and then created a cross continental empire. Heavily influenced by his father’s success Alexander the Great adopted many of the skills, mental and military, that King Philip II had. During his thirteen years of rule he achieved more as a conqueror than any man before him was ever able to accomplish. Although his short-lived reign was great
ancient times there was record keeping. Although many of the accounts written down were not preserved well enough to be available to this day. Cleopatra comes from the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The dynasty was started by Ptolemy I. It lasted from 323 B.C.E to 30 B.C.E ending with Cleopatra. The Ptolemaic Dynasty was an ancient dynasty of Macedonian Pharaohs who ruled Egypt. In 51 B.C.E after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, 18 year old Cleopatra and her 12 year old brother Ptolemy XIII were in succession
Cleopatra; thought to be one of the world’s first celebrities, was born in 69 B.C and was the last pharaoh to rule Egypt of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Like all sovereigns at the time she saw herself as a divine. From birth the Ptolemies were proclaimed to be gods and goddesses in their own right. This made them highly image conscious. Through the shows of her splendour she maintained her mystique and charmed the Egyptians. Cleopatra identified herself as the goddess Isis; sister wife of Osiris and mother
"For Rome, who had never condescended to fear any nation or people, did in her time fear two human beings; one was Hannibal, and the other was a woman" (Lefkowitz and Fant 126). During a time dominated by male rulers, Cleopatra VII Philopator (69 BCE – 31 BCE), the Last Pharaoh of Egypt, stood out among them all. With Egypt’s wealth at her disposal, she was “incomparably richer than anyone else” (Schiff 2). The amount of power a ruler had at the time of Cleopatra’s existence depended highly on the
It is important to look at the factors and event in Cleopatra’s life that influenced her rise and later, her ultimate demise. The surpass achievement of Ptolemy XII, her father, Ptolemaic dynasty was when Cleopatra first took over the throne. Cleopatra is a legendary figure in ancient history. It is her fame and glory as being a female pharaoh that has made her an ideal icon for many people worldwide. Cleopatra’s ethics and morality is something that truly defines the type of person she was during
Although the Hellenistic Era started with the death of Alexander the Great in 323BCE it is important to explore its beginnings. Both Greek and Oriental philosophies greatly influenced the formation of the Hellenistic Age. The spread of Hellenistic culture and its substantial scientific contributions produced an impact on civilization that is still evident today. One of the most important aspects of the thought, culture, and religion during the Hellenistic Era was its impact on the Jewish culture
The film Caesar and Cleopatra is about the sudden entanglement of the lives of Julius Caesar, portrayed by Claude Rains, and Cleopatra, portrayed by Vivien Leigh. When Julius Caesar visits Egypt, he finds Cleopatra and her younger brother/husband fighting over sole rule of the throne. Caesar helps Cleopatra earn her title and teaches her how to become a great ruler. This movie’s portrayal of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra is historically accurate. For example, Julius Caesar visits Alexandria, he finds
“Cleopatra was born in 69 BC - 68 BC.” She was “was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling Egypt from 51 BC - 30 BC.” 1 Cleopatra is well known female historical figure. “She is also well known for her beauty and love life. Typically, when looking at Egyptian history the rulers are mostly male however Cleopatra was the exception. Cleopatra’s time of rule had a great impact on Egypt, as she brought prosperity to a nation in a time of civil war. Cleopatra used ruthless tactics, and political
29). Euripides here degrades women as was the custom of Greek men of that... ... middle of paper ... ...long way. Leaving marks on the arts and poetry especially. Cleopatra VII found that her beauty and cleverness could help to secure the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt for years. She even had a child with the famous Roman emperor Caesar. Showing her strength and intelligence in the political sphere as well. And the occupations of Greek women in this time were expanded. Now women could leave the house
The Great Man Theory was extremely prominent in the 19th century, originating from historian Thomas Carlyle, who stated that “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” This mirrors his belief that heros shape history through their personal attributes and divine inspiration. According to this Great Man theory, history is written around the ‘Great Men’ or heroes who, due to their exceptional characteristics of charisma, intelligence, and wisdom utilize their power status to embark
XII died Ptolemy Xlll and Cleopatra fell in love with each other and got married, that meant Cleopatra was a queen and a pharaoh. Life Timeline Cleopatra was born January, 69 b.c. in Alexandria, Egypt. Cleopatra was the seventh girl in her dynasty to be named Cleopatra. Cleopatra was about 18 years old when she started to rule ancient Egypt. Ptolemy XII died, soon after Cleopatra became the queen and the pharaoh. Ptolemy left the position of the pharaoh to his son Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra
Cleopatra’s Wiles Mother, lover, warrior, femme-fatale. Mother of a country, lover of all that brings beauty, warrior of the state, femme-fatale over all men; this was Cleopatra Queen of the Nile. Cleopatra’s intelligence, wit and beauty are still remembered and written about to this day. Born a Greek, Cleopatra adapted to the Egyptian ways and even learnt their native tongue, a feat which had not been ccomplished since the Ptolemies had first ruled. Although not a “true Egyptian”, she utilized her