Despite the fact that historians have learned a lot about Cleopatra, not everyone is familiar with the intriguing tale of who she was and how she came to be. The powerful Queen of Egypt has been the subject of scores of films and other urban legends, none of which are totally real. The truth is that Cleopatra’s life had much more to it than any of us ever realized. Let’s look at some interesting information about this fabled woman and discover the truth about who she was during the heyday of the magnificent Egyptian Empire.
She Wasn’t That Beautiful
Although Cleopatra has been described as a great beauty, the truth is that she may not have been one after all. She might have been really plain instead. It’s said that the Romans invented the idea of Cleopatra’s beauty, and she didn’t object at all.
She Wasn’t That Beautiful
Although she was described as being extremely beautiful in some accounts from her era, it seems that her intelligence and charm were more important factors in her success.
She Used Julius Caesar
To acquire what she desired, Cleopatra was willing to go to any lengths, even flirting with powerful men. She used men like Julius Caesar because she thought he could help her regain the crown. She was right.
She Used Julius Caesar
Cleopatra thought Caesar would be the solution for her as well because he had assisted her father in regaining his throne. It turns out that he was, and he also secured her the necessary military assistance.
She Smuggled Herself in a Rug
Even if the rumor that she sneaked into Julius Caesar’s room by hiding herself under a rug is untrue, don’t you think it makes for an intriguing tale? A stunning young woman, though we now know that’s untrue, being so enthralled with a man that she would have herself sent to him wrapped in a rug?
She Smuggled Herself In A Rug
She and Caesar’s connection seems a little bit more romantic and enjoyable despite the fact that the entire scenario may be complete rubbish.
Declared Herself a Goddess
Cleopatra chose to imitate Isis, the goddess who gave birth to all other gods. When she made the decision to declare herself one of the most powerful gods in their universe, she was undoubtedly not thinking small. She even went so far as to dress in goddess garb and have statues made of herself.
Declared Herself A Goddess
She actually profited from being referred to as “Nea Isis” by the Egyptians. She felt it was her birthright to play the goddess and be revered by her people.
Married Two of Her Brothers
In her day and age, women frequently married siblings, cousins, and other members of their families. But when it came to her marriages, she didn’t really have a voice in the issue. They had to be done because of the law.
Married Two Of Her Brothers
Therefore, Cleopatra shared the regency with two of her brothers and was consequently compelled to wed them. Although she was undoubtedly unhappy with the arrangement, she went through with it because she wanted to be a pharaoh.
Killed One of Her Brothers
Cleopatra definitely murdered at least one of her brothers, if not both. She probably contributed to the death of the other as well. However, Cleo wished to ensure that her own offspring would control Egypt.
Killed One Of Her Brothers
Given that Cleopatra had a son of her own and that Ptolemy XIV was thought to have been murdered, it is assumed that she intended for him to succeed her as pharaoh.
Stole From Alexander the Great
Who wouldn’t try to find new ways to increase their personal revenue? The burial of Alexander the Great was one of the items Cleopatra discovered when considering all the numerous ways she could make money. Even then, it was a popular tourist destination, but she didn’t care.
Stole From Alexander The Great
For her battle against Rome, Cleopatra stole precious metals from the grave, but she wasn’t the only one to do so. Even though it was her family that had set up Alexander with the tomb, it turns out that the majority of her family did as well.
Used her Son with Caesar
Although historians disagree with this assertion because it is unproven, it was once thought that Caesar was the son’s father. She then drove him to Rome in an effort to persuade Caesar to choose him as his successor. Additionally, she started asking questions while she was there.
Used Her Son With Caesar
Perhaps this contributed to Cleopatra’s ability to garner so much support since, while in Rome, she was seeking to forge vital alliances and wanted to ensure that she would reclaim her own throne.
Seduced Mark Antony as a Goddess
Of course, Caesar passed away before Cleopatra did, so she needed another person to assist her in carrying out her intentions. She needed Mark Antony, and in the form of a goddess, she sailed a barge up the river to get him.
Seduced Mark Antony As A Goddess
When Antony started talking to her, he was initially fairly surprised but quickly became enchanted when he realized that she could actually speak multiple languages and was quite intelligent in all subjects, including politics and the military.
Kept Mark Antony Through Entertainment
Cleopatra made an effort to keep Mark Antony entertained because it was already well known that he might have a limited attention span. She applied much more than just physical focus to accomplish that.
Kept Mark Antony Through Entertainment
In reality, Cleopatra and Mark Antony enjoyed fine dining and gambling. He constantly wanted to stay busy, so they would go fishing, drinking, and many other things.
Took Mark Antony from Wife
Cleopatra chose Antony to be her next consort even though he was actually Caesar’s best buddy because he made the ideal ally. She also made the decision to remove him from his wife and kids.
Took Mark Antony From Wife
In fact, she was successful despite Antony’s reluctance to leave his wife and children (they were a powerful alliance for him). The wife eventually had her revenge, though, as she was given custody of Cleopatra’s children following her passing.
Cleopatra Took Her Own Life
There are varying accounts of how Cleopatra committed suicide, but it is generally accepted that she did so. According to some legends, she persuaded a snake to bite her, at which point she passed away.
Cleopatra Took Her Own Life
According to the alternate story, she consumed poison. She may have even kept the poison on her person in a hair comb, so she was always ready.
Cleopatra Learned the Egyptian Language
Cleopatra was the first member of the Ptolemaic line to study Egyptian, but it was just the beginning. It was all written in Greek because her entire family had always utilized that language to do all official business on behalf of the state and beyond.
Cleopatra Learned The Egyptian Language
But Cleopatra made the decision to learn the language of the Egyptians, including many of the important officials, and she did it successfully, becoming the first member of her family to do so.
Two Sisters Failed as Queen
When their father went away for a while, her oldest sister tried to take the throne, but it didn’t go so well for her. Her two attempts to prolong her reign by marriage failed, and when her father returned, he had her murdered.
Two Sisters Failed As Queen
The second sister made an attempt to conquer an island in Cyprus and elsewhere, but she failed. She was indeed vanquished and delivered to Caesar, who had her executed.
Had One Sister Killed
It’s actually thought that Cleopatra persuaded Caesar to murder her youngest sister. She thought of her as a potential challenger for the crown and speculated that she could try to seize the power she felt was hers in the first place.
Had One Sister Killed
Caesar killed the youngest sister, Arsinoe, therefore Cleopatra must have been successful. Although he had sufficient justification to wish to kill her on his own for trying to stage a coup.
Cleopatra Had Four Children
Cleopatra had four kids in total, although it’s not entirely clear who their parents are. The first and oldest was a son who was thought to be Julius Caesar’s offspring, but she was unable to have him named as an heir.
Cleopatra Had Four Children
The three additional kids came from Mark Antony. a boy and a girl set of twins, a son, and another. Though her daughter was actually the most successful of those who did, not all of them would go on to become rulers.
Was the Product of Incest
In fact, most of the royalty of the historical period would marry cousins, siblings, and other members of their own family. Incest wasn’t that unusual during the reign of Cleopatra. After all, it served to preserve the purity of the bloodline.
Was The Product Of Incest
Although historians have not yet established it, it is thought that her parents were actually a brother and a sister. If they weren’t, they were probably at least distantly related.
Known for Her Irresistible Charm
Cleopatra was incredibly charming, which is the one element of her personality that is commonly recognized. It’s probably how she was able to reign so effectively, and it’s unquestionably the reason she was able to seduce both Caesar and Mark Antony.
Known For Her Irresistible Charm
She would be well renowned for utilizing her charms to get what she wanted out of anyone because she had no trouble speaking with anyone. But because she was such good company, no one appeared to care when she did succeed.
Thrived on Making an Entrance
If the idea that she thought of herself as a goddess hadn’t already made it clear, Cleopatra loved to make an entrance. Whether totally accurate or not, the ways in which she met Antony and Caesar were unquestionably proof of that.
Thrived On Making An Entrance
Even after those two crucial conversations, Cleopatra would undoubtedly spend her time planning how to enter meetings with influential people.
Lived with Caesar When Assassinated
She had actually arrived in Rome with her son at the time of Caesar’s murder. As the mistress of the powerful general, she was even living there bravely. But she had to leave right away after he was killed. After all, the Romans had been less than enthusiastic about her for a while.
Lived With Caesar When Assassinated
Although she was living with Caesar and had a love child, it seemed that the statue of her inside the Temple of Venus didn’t go over too well. Her charms did, however, help.
Left Her Stamp on Roman Fashion
The women in Rome continued to wear many of her trends even after she left. The well-known Cleopatra hairdo ended up being deeply ingrained in Roman culture and even made an appearance on a number of their statues.
Left Her Stamp On Roman Fashion
Of course, her jewelry was also a significant item that they kept, and pearl jewelry for a very long time became quite a fashion statement in Rome.
Created a Drinking Club
Cleopatra wanted to make sure Antony wasn’t going anywhere, so she thought a decent drinking club could be a good idea. So they established a drinking culture. They literally got together every night and were known as the “Inimitable Livers.”
Created A Drinking Club
The club members would have lavish feasts and plenty of wine, but they would also participate in activities and competitions while they were having a good time, so it wasn’t just drinking and partying.
Led a Naval Fleet Against Octavian
The marriage of Cleopatra and Antony caused him a lot of trouble in Rome, and when his ex-brother-in-law decided to launch a coup, the Senate resolved to wage war on the new bride. It sparked a significant naval conflict.
Led A Naval Fleet Against Octavian
Hundreds of Egyptian vessels were indeed commanded by Cleopatra alongside Antony, but they were unsuccessful. The newlyweds were compelled to flee Rome and head back to Egypt in order to preserve their own lives.
Last Ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
Any of Cleopatra’s children could have maintained the Ptolemaic Dynasty, but circumstances in Egypt at the time were changing fairly quickly, and her offspring would go on to rule other nations, marry into royalty, or perish.
Last Ruler Of The Ptolemaic Dynasty
However, Cleopatra was ready for the family line to continue, and she fulfilled what would have been expected of her by giving her kingdom a living heir (several of them at the time of her death).
Cleopatra Was Extremely Well Educated
She probably benefited from knowledge in a number of ways, including the ability to recruit new supporters (aside from her lovers) and to use her charm as a weapon. Although she lacked the typical attractiveness, she was bright and had even published her own books.
Cleopatra Was Extremely Well Educated
In actuality, Cleopatra wrote books on topics like philosophy and physics. She was fluent in mathematics, chemistry, and philosophy and was skilled at holding intelligent conversations. She didn’t have to be a gorgeous face, then.
Used Her Image as Political Tool
Cleopatra chose to show herself as a goddess as frequently as possible by dressing as Isis at any big events because she thought of herself as a deity and understood how much image could help with everything.
Used Her Image As Political Tool
It undoubtedly succeeded as a political instrument and attracted more participants. Although it also appears to have made her more likable to others.
Very Popular Among Her People
In fact, the Egyptian populace appeared to admire Cleopatra. She was truly regarded as one of them despite all of her eccentricities, including her lovers, schemes, and idea that she was the goddess-mother reincarnate.
Very Popular Among Her People
In order to become a legitimate Egyptian pharaoh, Cleopatra had to master the language as well as a great deal more. She also gave the whole thing her all, which made her even more popular with her people than other members of the group.
Successful Leader of Her People
Cleopatra was a successful ruler who was truly pretty strong. She was successful in raising the country’s monetary value, making Egypt the richest country in the Mediterranean. They were the final group to maintain their independence from the Roman Empire.
Successful Leader Of Her People
It seems that Cleopatra’s political allies played a role in this, particularly Egypt’s economic relations with the Arab countries, which aided in the emergence of Egypt as a great global power.
Took Political Allies as Lovers
There was no love in the connections Cleopatra made with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. It’s possible that she did grow to care for them or even cared about them from the beginning of the relationships, but it wasn’t the reason she went after them.
Took Political Allies As Lovers
Everything Cleopatra did was done for tactical and political benefit because she understood that she needed supporters in Rome. As a result, she adopted the roles of mistress and lover, choosing to attract the most politically advantageous individuals she could at the time.
Cleopatra’s Name is Greek
Actually, Cleopatra is a Greek name and not at all Egyptian. Its meaning is “Glory of her father,” and it would appear that all the things she was able to accomplish with the throne and the country would have pleased her father.
Cleopatra’s Name Is Greek
The name was further perpetuated with Cleopatra’s own daughter, one of the twins she had with Mark Antony; her mother was called Cleopatra, and her father was Ptolemy XII.
Cleopatra Was Not of Egyptian Descent
Cleopatra’s entire family was not actually an Egyptian native. Even though Cleopatra was actually born in Egypt since her ancestors had conquered the nation many years before, she was able to trace her family’s origins to Macedonian Greece.
Cleopatra Was Not Of Egyptian Descent
The first member of the family to genuinely pick up Egyptian and assume the role of an Egyptian king as opposed to a Greek one in Egypt was Cleopatra.
Seventh Woman to Bear the Name
Although most people immediately think of one person when they hear the name Cleopatra, she wasn’t the first or the last person to go by that name. In actuality, the Cleopatra that is familiar to us was the seventh lady to bear the name.
Seventh Woman To Bear The Name
Actually, she was the seventh person in her own family’s dynasty to hold it. As opposed to the more common practice of just calling her Cleopatra, her full name is Cleopatra VII Philopater.
Only 39 When She Died
You might not be aware, given all the things you’ve probably heard about Cleopatra, that she was relatively young when all of this happened to her. She was only 39 years old when she passed away, which, while older by modern standards, was still pretty young.
Only 39 When She Died
Her brief life seems to have been highly eventful, and she undoubtedly accomplished many things that her forebears were unable to. Her birth year is 69 BC.
Threw Herself into Egyptian Worldview
Cleopatra genuinely immersed herself completely in the Egyptian worldview out of a desire to be a part of her culture and country. She exerted every effort to understand the culture in addition to the language.
Threw Herself Into Egyptian Worldview
She started dressing in Egyptian attire and adapted many of the nation’s traditions for herself, converting to its faith and praising its gods. She was the first person in her family to do so in 300 years, which may have contributed to her popularity.
Became Regent with Father at 14
When Cleopatra was 14 years old, her mother passed away, and she and her father took over as regent and deputy. She would carry on in this manner for the following four years, truly learning a lot by his side.
Became Regent With Father At 14
In fact, she was prepared to take over as ruler when her father passed away. Of course, dealing with a royal family is never quite that simple. She thought she was the finest candidate for the job at the time because she was 18 years old.
Became Co-Ruler with Brother at 18
Cleopatra was the one who thought she was ready to become queen after her father passed away, but she and her 10-year-old brother were really appointed as co-rulers. She undoubtedly took a hit from it, but things actually got worse.
Became Co Ruler With Brother At 18
Cleopatra was compelled to wed the eldest of her brothers since tradition demanded that they be wed in order to govern together. She didn’t want to share anything with him, though.
Lost Throne to Brother at 19
After sharing the reign with her brother a year later, Cleopatra was involved in a conflict between the Romans and the Syrians. In fact, the Romans assisted her brother in displacing her when she picked the wrong side.
Lost Throne To Brother At 19
At the time, Cleopatra had only played the part of her brother for a year and was only 19 years old. But she wasn’t going to give up and go humbly into the night. Once she figured it out, she was certainly coming back.
Astronomer Invented the Leap Year,
Did you know that Cleopatra’s astronomer was actually responsible for the creation of the leap year? Therefore, for those who undoubtedly dislike this “holiday,” it may be traced all the way back to about 45 BC. That’s because Cleopatra introduced her astronomer to the Romans, specifically Caesar.
Astronomer Invented The Leap Year
The leap year was introduced by the astronomer and then incorporated into the Egyptian and Roman calendars. Therefore, there was no leap year before 45 BC. And Julius Caesar would not have found it without Cleopatra.
Regained Throne From Brother
Due to his displeasure with the way her brother had been running the kingdom, Caesar was able to assist Cleopatra in regaining control of her own country. It makes sense that he didn’t know what he was doing because he was only 13 years old.
Regained Throne From Brother
She had to wage a whole war to drive her brother out, and after a battle, he perished in the Nile River by drowning. But in order to do that, she had to wed her other brother. This is where she met her second husband, who was also one of her siblings.
Believed to Have Spoken Nine Languages
Speaking multiple languages was something Cleopatra truly thought would help her in politics, and she was undoubtedly correct. It made a difference because she could communicate with her allies and potential allies in their native tongue.
Believed To Have Spoken Nine Languages
She is thought to have been able to communicate with leaders, generals, and others by herself in nine different languages altogether. She always won these discussions since she didn’t require an interpreter.
Stopped in Her First Attempt
Cleopatra had indeed tried to commit herself before being stopped by Octavian when Antony murdered himself (perhaps after discovering that Cleopatra had also killed herself). Actually, Octavian planned to parade Cleopatra and Antony through Rome as evidence that he had vanquished both of them. No portion of that was requested by Cleopatra.
Stopped In Her First Attempt
For Cleopatra, the only thing Octavian would guarantee was that he would keep her alive. She made the decision to commit suicide as a result. This time, she actually accomplished her goal, which incensed Octavian.
Cleopatra and Antony Were Buried Together
A brilliant political pawn like Cleopatra was lost, and Octavian was not thrilled about either. He intended to exploit her as a representation of his own triumph. He truly made the decision to bury her alongside Antony, her spouse.
Cleopatra and Antony Were Buried Together
However, there are still a lot of questions about why he did it and what happened to Cleopatra and her husband’s bodies.
Cleopatra’s Grave is Unknown
Where Cleopatra and Antony were interred is a mystery. As a result, we cannot be certain that the two were interred in the same grave because we are unable to locate it. Due to historical writings, only historians hold this theory.
Cleopatra’s Grave Is Unknown
Actually, archaeologists are still looking for Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s tomb. After all, if it were ever discovered, it would be a significant historical find. Moreover, who knows what she might have been interred with?
The Last Pharaoh of Egypt
The very last pharaoh of Egypt was Cleopatra. Despite the fact that all but one of her four children survived her, none of them would rule Egypt as a pharaoh. Instead, each of her children would first go in with Octavia before being dispersed.
The Last Pharaoh Of Egypt
Even though this was a little strange, Cleopatra’s ex-wife from her last marriage, Mark Antony, would actually assist in rearing her kids until the twins passed away. The last daughter eventually married into a royal family.
Known as Queen of the Nile
There are currently numerous names that are used to refer to Cleopatra. She has been referred to as the Queen of the Nile and the real Queen of Egypt. She has a reputation for being divine and lovely. She has, in reality, earned a variety of reputations.
Known As Queen Of The Nile
But this Last Pharaoh of Egypt, Queen of the Nile, and Queen of Egypt left behind a powerful, enduring legacy that endures to this day.