Cleopatra (69 – 30 BCE) Queen of Egypt

Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great's death in 323 BC. Cleopatra was born in 69 BC and ascended to the throne in 51 BC, along with her younger brother Ptolemy XIII.

Cleopatra was a highly intelligent and cunning woman. She was fluent in several languages, including Egyptian, Greek, and Latin. She was also a skilled diplomat and politician. During her reign, she managed to maintain Egypt's independence from Rome, despite the growing power of the Roman Republic.

Cleopatra is perhaps best known for her relationships with two powerful Roman leaders: Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She met Caesar in 48 BC, when he came to Egypt to intervene in a civil war between Cleopatra and her brother. Cleopatra seduced Caesar and they became lovers. Caesar helped Cleopatra to defeat her brother and become the sole ruler of Egypt.

After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, Cleopatra aligned herself with Mark Antony, another powerful Roman general. Antony and Cleopatra became lovers and had three children together. They fought together against Octavian, Caesar's adopted son and heir. Octavian eventually defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.

Cleopatra and Antony fled to Egypt after their defeat. They knew that Octavian would not spare them, so they committed suicide rather than be captured. Cleopatra died by biting into a poisonous snake. Antony died shortly after her, by stabbing himself with a sword.

Cleopatra's death marked the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt. She is still remembered today as one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures in history.

Here are some additional facts about Cleopatra's life:

• She was the first Egyptian ruler to learn the Egyptian language and customs.
• She was a patron of the arts and sciences, and founded the first public library in Alexandria.
• She was a skilled military leader and strategist.
• She was said to be very beautiful, but there is no reliable evidence to support this claim.
• Her death was a major event in the ancient world, and was widely mourned.

Cleopatra's legacy is complex and contested. She is often portrayed as a seductress and a temptress, but she was also a powerful and intelligent ruler. She is a symbol of Egypt's ancient glory, and her story continues to fascinate and inspire people today.