This is partly because, despite some sharp flashes of insight, her grip on the history, culture, and law of the Greco-Roman world is not always as firm as it might be. Updates? The text explains that placing gold foil on the tongue would ensure the deceased would be able to breathe, eat and speak in the afterlife. Knowing Ptolemys forces would thwart her attempts to meet with the Roman general, Cleopatra had herself wrapped in a carpetsome sources say it was a linen sackand smuggled into his personal quarters. Author of. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Cleopatra, now married to her brother Ptolemy XIV, was restored to her throne. Cleopatra and Antony died at their own hand in 30 BC, after being cornered by Octavians forces in Alexandria. She was born in 69 BC and died by suicide in August of 30 BCbut more on that later. Emma has contributed to various art and culture publications, with an aim to promote and share the work of inspiring modern creatives. Reliefs of Cleopatra and Caesarion at the Temple of Dendera Egypt. Her full name is Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator (meaning "the father-loving goddess" in Greek). Poison, however, was most likely her method of choice. With this, Cleopatra knew what she had to do, and began to form her devious plan. Octavian (Romes first emperor, later known by the name Augustus) is said to have visited the tomb in 30 BC after he had finally defeated Cleopatra and Mark Antony, her partner and his Roman rival: in his enthusiasm to touch the mummified body, Octavian actually broke off a piece of Alexanders noseor so one Roman historian alleged. They were reputed to be not just rowdy and sometimes violent, but at the same time rich, cultured, fast-living, spectacular showmen, intellectual, cosmopolitan, and avant-garde (although, in a contrasting image, their local government became a byword for bureaucracyPtolemaic office practices being entangled in red tape). Ptolemy I Soter began ruling Egypt after Alexanders death in 323 BCE., launching a powerful dynasty of Greek-speaking rulers that lasted for nearly three centuries. One of the highlights, and a triumph of Alexandrian engineering, was an eight-cubit-tall (approximately twelve feet) statue that stood up mechanically without anyone laying a hand on it and sat back down again when it had poured a libation of milk. Another attraction was the chariots not pulled by men or horses, but by ostriches. Many of Cleopatras ancestors partnered with cousins or siblings, and its likely that her own parents were brother and sister. In one account, he was taken to her side while still barely alive, where he told her that he had one ally left from Octavians side, and that she should trust him. Octavian was furious that the symbol of his victory was gone, but nevertheless, he consented to let Cleopatra be buried side by side with her love Mark Antonybut mysteries still abound about her death and final resting place. In 40 bce Cleopatra gave birth to twins, whom she named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. Oh, and she was also determined that Mark Antony know about it. In order to preserve the purity of their bloodline and to consolidate power, royals of the Ptolemaic dynasty married within the family. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons [Public Domain]). What's certainly true is that Cleopatra was purposely portrayed as a cold-blooded seductress, who was using her sexual wiles to make Antony forget his duty to Rome. Plutarch explains that a young medical student, Philotas, was there and witnessed life below stairs. Make no mistake: This was one smart cookie. ), Read another story from us:The Forgotten Son of Caesar and Cleopatra. When she faced him, hed seized her palace and her three sons, but she refused to back down, telling him I will not be led in a triumph.. One of the most expensive beauty secrets of Cleopatra was that she slept with a golden mask on her face. She may have been dubbed Queen of the Nile, but Cleopatra wasnt Egyptian by birth. She died in August, 30 BC, at the age of 39, alongside two of her servants. More than a dozen of Cleopatras ancestors tied the knot with cousins or siblings, and its likely that her own parents were brother and sister. We know as little of the actual birth as we do of the intimacy that preceded it, she writes. Omissions? Cleopatra, (Greek: "Famous in Her Father") in full Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator ("Cleopatra the Father-Loving Goddess"), (born 70/69 bce died August 30 bce, Alexandria), Egyptian queen, famous in history and drama as the lover of Julius Caesar and later as the wife of Mark Antony. After burying him, the 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own life, though how is uncertain. 14 September 407 (aged c. 58) Comana in Pontus. After graduating with a BA in Fashion and Textile Design in 2013, Emma decided to combine her love of art with her passion for writing. But we should probably be more skeptical. In 48 BCE, she wrapped herself in carpet and smuggled herself into Julius Caesar's personal quarters. In 50 BC, only a year after she ascended to the throne, Cleopatra became embroiled in a dispute between Roman troops and a Syrian governor. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. A group of around 60 men quickly mobbed the dictator of Rome. Why, it's because she was actually Greek. Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon in 1969, 2,038 years after the birth of Cleopatra. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. The name "Cleopatra" (in Greek "") means "she who comes from glorious father." Flickr 2. In keeping with this custom, Cleopatra eventually married both of her adolescent brothers, each of whom served as her ceremonial spouse and co-regent at different times during her reign. To be sure, the death of Antony devastated Cleopatra. She would go on to romance both men, but the relationships were as much about strategic maneuvering on both sides as they were about lust. This caused a massive scandal, not only because of its heinous nature, but also because it was a gross violation of temple rules. The mummy with the golden tongue was highly unusual, but it is only one of the fascinating relics that have been found in the 16 new burial shafts recently discovered by Kathleen Martinez and her Dominican-Egyptian team. Cleopatra the Alchemist ( Greek: ; fl. According to legend, she coaxed an asp specifically an Egyptian cobra to bite her arm, but theres no proof to support that. Antony, meanwhile, desired access to Egypts resources. Cleopatra and Mark Antony must have had some grand times together, in the true Dionysian style. In short, Antony was a goner. Impressively, Cleopatra spoke as many as a dozen languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory, and astronomy. Even without a turbulent queen, Egypt was always liable to be trouble. John was born in 347 in Antioch, Syria. As Schiff herself admits, childhood was not a big seller in the ancient world, by which she means that for almost every biographical subject there is a total void to be filled before the age of twenty or thirty. When John converted to Christianity at age 23, he decided to live with the monks in the mountains on the outskirts of Antioch. Ptolemy reigned Egypt after Alexanders death in 323 B.C., and he launched a dynasty of Greek-speaking rulers that lasted for nearly three centuries. Hollywood has made no less than four worshipful big-screen movies and Stacy Schiffs biography, Cleopatra: A Life, made The New York Times Best Seller list not too long ago not to mention the number of women who don kohl eyes and trinkets each year to attend Halloween bashes as the Egyptian queen. True, Alexandrian cultural brilliance may have waned somewhat by the reign of Cleopatra; the leading intellectual of her palace was a secondhand compiler by the name of Didymus, who was credited with writing more than 3,500 treatises (and was nicknamed the book-forgetter since he could not remember what he had said in his earlier books, so was always contradicting himself). In fact, she was the first member of her family to learn the Egyptian language a smart move, which helped gain her peoples respect and trust. back to Egypt, where she was co-regent with her younger brother/husband, Ptolemy XIV. After her death, the history of Egypts great dynasties fell away, and in 30 BC, the country disappeared under the sandal of Rome, becoming a mere province of the great Roman Empire. She's officially known as Cleopatra VII Philopater. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Cleopatra's family, the Ptolemies, migrated to Egypt from Greece. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); There is something elusive, even a whiff of spin, about him, Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge. A much-favored coif: hair braided and pulled off the face into a tight bun wound at the nape of the neck, with short curls around her forehead. Either way, many of the events surrounding the final days of Cleopatra and Mark Antony are conjecture, and as Plutarch put it, what really took place is known to no one.. Cleopatra often used elaborate costumes and dramatic entrances to reinforce her elite status and win over potential allies. Alternate titles: Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. The 18-year-old Cleopatra, older than her brother by about eight years, became the dominant ruler. For there had been the ancient equivalent of a brain-drain to Ptolemaic Alexandria. When you think of Cleopatra, theres likely just one Egyptian queen that comes to mind. . Cleopatra buried Antony and then committed suicide. According to lore, Cleopatra and Mark Antony enjoyed dressing up in disguise and wandering Rome while playing pranks on its unwitting citizens. Cleopatra joined Julius Caesar in Rome beginning in 46 B.C., and her presence seems to have caused quite a stir. But what of the myth? The epithet (Chrysostomos, anglicized as Chrysostom) means golden-mouthed in Greek and denotes his celebrated eloquence.John Chrysostom. But she didnt want to share the power with him either, so had him murdered in order to make her son her co-ruler. In addition to the affair setting tongues wagging, Cleopatra became a fashion and beauty icon amongst Roman women. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. When unrolled, she charmed Caesar and the two became allies, leading to her retaking the Egyptian throne. And this is not to mention a wealth of writing on technology, geography, mathematics, and medicine, some of which now survives only in Arabic translation. Cleopatra not only spoke Greek and Egyptian. Schiffs problem lies more in the nature of the project that she has set herself: namely to write the biography of an ancient character as if it were possible to tell a reasonably reliable story from cradle to grave (on the model of her earlier excellent studies of Antoine de Saint-Exupry and Mrs. Vladimir Nabokov). . That means that for those 300 years, the person ruling the Egyptians didnt even speak their language. A fragment of papyrus excavated from the rubbish dumps of the Egyptian town of Oxyrhynchus gives a precious glimpse of Germanicus visit. With Caesar at her side, Cleopatra set her plan in motion to reinstall herself as the ruler of Egypt. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The sculpture was made by Franciszek Pinck (1733-1798). Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. All Rights Reserved. Caesar was dazzled by the sight of the young queen in her royal garb, and the two soon became allies and lovers. She personally led her fleet of over a dozen ships alongside Antonys own. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. But this much is clear: Cleopatra is one historical figure that we just cant see to get enough of. In fact, Germanicus took an antiquarian cruise up the Nile, visiting the vast ruins of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, just as his great- grandfather Julius Caesar had done in the company of Cleopatra herself in 47 BC. Thats not to say she wasnt irresistible in her own way. Their daughter, Cleopatra Selene, became an important ruler in her own right. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Is it OK for a 13 year old to shave their legs? Like everyone in Chronophobia, Cleo represents a time period and was given a codename in order to hide her own identity. According to popular belief, Cleopatra killed herself by allowing an asp (Egyptian cobra) to bite her, but for Greek and Roman historians, Cleopatra poisoned herself using either a toxic ointment or by introducing the poison with a sharp implement such as a hairpin. Why, its because she was actually Greek. Even today, no one knows exactly where the tomb that houses the bodies of Cleopatra and Mark Antony is. The rumour quickly spread that Antony also intended to transfer the capital from Rome to Alexandria. So not only did he sort-of ditch Cleopatra, he also had two children with Octavia. Following the war, Cleopatra remarried her other younger brother, Ptolemy XIV. Antony proclaimed Caesarion to be Caesars sonthus relegating Octavian, who had been adopted by Caesar as his son and heir, to legal illegitimacy. 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We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Rome at the time, despite its enormous population and its political and military dominance over most of the Mediterranean, looked more like a provincial backwater, for the most part a jumble of twisting lanes and densely packed tenementsits public buildings decidedly unimpressive by Alexandrian standards. Corrections? Soon after, Cleopatra was forced to flee Egypt for Syria, where she raised an army and in 48 bce returned to face her brother at Pelusium, on Egypts eastern border. It does not store any personal data. He took the name Emperor Augustus, and he carried a statue of her through Romes streets every August in triumph. For 300 years, her family spoke only Greek, so court documents, including the Rosetta stone, were bilingualwritten in both in Greek and Egyptian. The means of her death is uncertain, though Classical writers came to believe that she had killed herself by means of an asp, symbol of divine royalty. Cleopatra not only adopted the Egyptian religion and worshiped traditional Egyptian gods, she actually believed she was one of them. This included worshipping traditional Egyptian gods rather than those of the Greek religion Cleopatra was never one to be casual about anything, and she took this practice to extreme lengths. When Mark Antony was served his second course, he was shocked to discover that his dish contained only strong vinegar. Some believe that she died by enticing an aspa viper or Egyptian cobrato bite her arm, but other historians believe otherwise. Cleopatra was 255 years removed from Ptolemy I, but she was definitely of Macedonian/Greek origin and culture, not African. But as we know, Cleopatra wasnt interested in sharing the throne with anyone, and one again, the wheels began turning in her mind. When Ptolemy XII died in 51 bce, the throne passed to his young son, Ptolemy XIII, and daughter, Cleopatra VII. She has a refreshing, outsiders perspective on this period of Mediterranean history, and plenty of pithy phrases to match. Cleopatra plucked a priceless pearl from her earrings and dropped it into the vinegar. This is, in part, thanks to the inventive traditions of modern drama, from William Shakespeare to Elizabeth Taylor, which have indelibly fixed a languorous and decadent queen bathing in asss milk in the popular imagination. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Cleopatra and Julius Caesar were lovers for two years, during which Cleopatra gave birth to his son, Ptolemy Caesar, who was nicknamed Caesarion, or Little Caesar. In the days between Cleopatra's death and the Roman triumvir Octavian's formal annexation of Egypt, Caesarion was officially the sole ruler of Egypt at just 16 years old. This was just one way she asserted herself over himand in time, her methods would become much more disturbing. Some claim it was by means of an asp, the symbol of divine royalty. This was seen amongst many Romans as sacrilege, which didnt improve Cleopatras position. Cleopatras reign would have been a tough act to follow, and as it happened, no one did. As part of this settlement, he married Octavians sister, Octavia (Fulvia having died). For the most part, however, we have no knowledge of many of the most basic facts of Cleopatras life. But the queen wasnt much of a looker. Or, see all newsletter options here. Despite traditions of female rulers being subordinate to males, Cleopatra erased her brother Ptolemy XIIs name from official documents, and only her face appeared on coins minted during their reign. Barbara Stepko is a New Jersey-based freelance editor and writer who has contributed to AARP magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Cleopatra actively influenced Roman politics at a crucial period, and she came to represent, as did no other woman of antiquity, the prototype of the romantic femme fatale. The only member of her house to learn Egyptian, she was said to be a popular ruler. Cleopatra was actually the seventh woman in the Ptolemaic dynasty to bear the name. German historian Christoph Schaefer has offered yet another theory: The queen may have used a potent mixture of opium, hemlock, and wolfsbane a potion likely tested on a few unfortunate souls to ensure it was pain-free. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. After the death of Ptolemy XIII, there was just one heir eligible for the Egyptian throne leftanother younger brother, this one named Ptolemy XIV. They spent the winter of 41-40 BCE living a life of leisure in Egypt, where they founded their own drinking society known as the Inimitable Livers. The members engaged in nightly feasts and boozy binges, as well as elaborate games and contests. Cleopatra eventually married Mark Antony and had three children with him, but their relationship also spawned a massive scandal in Rome. Thanks for your help! 10. As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. We do not know. I should prefer to praise you, he insisted, as being self-restrained enough to keep silentthe highest praise you can accord a mass meeting is to say that it listens well. By all accounts, this did not make much impact on the Alexandrians whose riots and unruliness were notorious well into the Christian period (and provide the backdrop to the Spanish director Alejandro Amenbars recent movie Agora, which is set in fourth-century-AD Roman Egypt). The conflict reached its climax the following year in a famous naval battle at Actium. Her father promoted the teenage Cleopatra to joint regent and deputy, and she ruled alongside her father for four years, during which time she gained valuable knowledge and experience. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. What does it mean when you wear a bandana in your back pocket? Foreign Influence Why would an Egyptian queen bear a Greek name, you ask? Cleopatra had been made up to look like the goddess Aphrodite, and she sat beneath a gilded canopy while attendants dressed as cupids fanned her and burned sweet-smelling incense. For those keeping tally, she had a hand in the deaths of three of her siblings. Indeed, in 53 BC, Cleopatra had fled . Like most men, women, and even children of Egypt at the time, Cleopatra shaved her head. She spoke (at least) a dozen languages, was well-versed in mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy. One of its most famous librarians, in the early third century BC, was the poet Callimachus, originally from Cyrene (in modern Libya). Cleopatra and Antonys relationship had its political advantages. Originally pharaonic obelisks made about 1450 BC, they were later transferred, perhaps by Augustus, to form the entrance to the shrine of Julius Caesar in Alexandria, which had almost certainly been planned and inaugurated by Cleopatra before her death. Some writers consider her to be the inventor of the alembic, a distillation apparatus. More posts you may like. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. She died in August, 30 BC, at the age of 39, alongside two of her servants. Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile River after being defeated in battle. Archaeologists continue to search for it. Antony, who equated himself with the god Dionysus, was captivated. Cleopatra is responsible for a confounding phenomenon that we still deal with today. They were buried together, as both of them had wished, and with them was buried the Roman Republic. Nonetheless, the Alexandrians had a reputation for being particularly rowdy. In order to meet Caesar face to face, in hopes of enticing him over to her side, she had herself smuggled through enemy lines while rolled up in a carpet, which was brought to Caesars private quarters. Alexander Helios was awarded Armenia and the territory beyond the Euphrates, his infant brother Ptolemy the lands to the west of it. Cleopatras father was king, and consequently also a god; she inherited the divine blood, so to speak. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff Little, Brown, 368 pp., $29.99 Mary Beard Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge. Finally, she went where she knew she would have at leastsomepowerback to Egypt, where she was co-regent with her younger brother/husband, Ptolemy XIV. It all sounds more like the melting pot of New York than the showy decadence of Versailles. Her mother died under mysterious circumstances. Cleopatra fancied herself the reincarnation of the Egyptian goddess Isis. An impressive move, and one that endeared herself to Mark Antony, who fancied himself to be an embodiment of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. Like any good Egyptian ruler, a luxurious tomb was already waiting for her. Cleopatra was equally crafty in her first encounter with Antony in 41 BC. While she writes every day, shes also devoted to her own creative outletEmma hand-draws illustrations and is currently learning 2D animation. Marble bust of Cleopatra VII of Egypt from ca. Cleopatra for her part attempted to reunite the Egypt of Ptolemy I Soter. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-queen-of-Egypt, Jewish Virtual Library - Biography of Cleopatra, LiveScience - Cleopatra: Facts and Biography, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Biography of Cleopatra VII, Cleopatra - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Cleopatra - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Following her defeat at the hands of her husband-brother, Cleopatra was forced to flee along with her sister, Arsinoe IV. Despite not being ethnically Egyptian, Cleopatra embraced many of her countrys ancient customs and was the first member of the Ptolemaic line to learn the Egyptian language. But aside from that, they were also deeply fond of each other. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Antony had already left Alexandria to return to Italy, where he was forced to conclude a temporary settlement with Octavian. The name Cleopatra has become synonymous with exotic beauty and allure, but the real Cleopatras beauty was further down the list of her charms. Oh, she was seductive all right. 40-30 BCE. Following Caesars death, Cleopatra tried to have her son Caesarion recognized as his heir to no avail. He wasnt actually an ally of Antonys at all, and he dragged Cleopatra kicking and screaming from her tomb to bring her to Octavian. The library is supposed to have been organized by Demetrius of Phaleron (a suburb of Athens), who was himself a pupil of Aristotle. Antonys rival Octavian used propaganda to portray him as a traitor under the sway of a scheming seductress, and in 32 B.C., the Roman Senate declared war on Cleopatra. In a bid to curry favor with the Romans, he married Octavians sister Octavia (they were very creative with names back then). Cleopatra first began her legendary love affair with the Roman general Mark Antony in 41 B.C. Her multilingual tongue meant that she could speak to generals and rulers of other countries without an interpreter, which would have given her an upper hand. Cleopatra believed herself to be a living goddess, and she often used clever stagecraft to woo potential allies and reinforce her divine status. Least ) a dozen languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, and was! Part, however, was there and witnessed life below stairs All you... True Dionysian style popular ruler just cant see to get enough of who has contributed to various art and publications! ] ) been a tough act to follow your favorite communities and start taking part conversations! When john converted to Christianity at age 23, he married Octavians sister, IV! Waiting for her historys most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you in battle cleopatra nickname golden mouth reunite Egypt... At Actium is uncertain west of it thats not to say she wasnt irresistible her... 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No knowledge of many of Cleopatras life without a turbulent queen, Egypt always! Rome to Alexandria the monks in the deaths of three of her siblings contributed to magazine... About eight years, the person ruling the Egyptians didnt even speak their language part of this,...