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The Greco-Roman period was a time of great change and transition in Egypt, and one of the most famous figures to emerge during this time was the last pharaoh of Egypt, Queen Cleopatra. She is known for her intelligence, political acumen, and beauty, as well as her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Here is a closer look at the life and legacy of Queen Cleopatra during the Greco-Roman period.
Early Life of Queen Cleopatra
Cleopatra was born in 69 BC, the daughter of Ptolemy XII, the king of Egypt. She was the last of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Greek family that had ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. Cleopatra had a was well-educated and was a multilingual speaker, speaking Egyptian, Greek, and Roman. She was renowned for her brilliance and political savviness, and she also had a keen interest in science and literature. As Cleopatra helped Egypt grow, there is a greater demand for Egypt tours to see the locations where it was founded. Several of these locations bear her name, and you can visit them with our Egypt travel packages.
Cleopatra's rise to Power
In 51 BC, Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII, died, and Cleopatra, just 18 years old, became the sole ruler of Egypt and contribute to a lot of development, there are many attractions nowadays named after Cleopatra, such as Cleopatra springs in Siwa Oasis, and Cleopatra baths in Marsa Matrouh. All these attractions and more can visit with our Egypt luxury tours. However, her rule was immediately challenged by her brother Ptolemy XIII, who was only 10 years old at the time. Cleopatra was forced to flee Egypt and seek refuge in Syria.
In 48 BC, Julius Caesar, the Roman general, and dictator invaded Egypt and defeated Ptolemy XIII. Caesar restored Cleopatra to the throne, and she ruled alongside her younger brother Ptolemy XIV, who was appointed as her co-ruler by Caesar. These interesting historical stories can be more interesting when you listen to them from our guides in Egypt classic tours.
Cleopatra and Julius Caesar
During his stay in Egypt, Julius Caesar developed a close bond with Cleopatra. Together, they produced a son named Caesarion, whom Caesar claimed as his own. Cleopatra returned to Rome with Caesar, where she was accorded royal treatment and given a statue in the Temple of Venus. Yet after Caesar's murder in 44 BC, Cleopatra went back to Egypt. Her friendship with Mark Antony, one of Caesar's closest friends and supporters, afterwards developed. With our Egypt day tours to various historical landmarks from this era, your tour guide will fill you in on the remainder of the narrative.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony
Cleopatra and Mark Antony formed a powerful alliance, and together they conquered much of the eastern Roman Empire. They had three children together, including twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. However, the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony was not well-received by the Roman people or the Roman Senate, who saw it as a threat to Roman power. In 31 BC, Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar and the future emperor Augustus declared war on Cleopatra and Mark Antony. There are a lot of Roman attractions that dated back to this period in Alexandria, so what about enjoying Alexandria day tours with us?
The Battle of Actium
Between Octavian's army and the united armies of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, the Battle of Actium took place in 31 BC. Octavian won the conflict, which took place in the Gulf of Ambracia in modern-day Greece. Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra both escaped to Egypt, where they later committed suicide. The Ptolemaic dynasty came to an end with Cleopatra's death, and Octavian then conquered Egypt, ushering in Roman control.
Cleopatra's Legacy
Cleopatra was one of the most well-known queens in ancient Egyptian history, and several books, films, and other works of art have been based on her life. She is highly known for her intelligence, political knowhow, and attractiveness as well as for her associations with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Her contributions to the fields of science and literature are highly known.
If you want to discover more about the history of the Egyptian pharaohs, sign up for one of our Egypt cultural tours.
