Cleopatra And The Ptolemaic Dynasty

In 51 B.C., Ptolemy XII died, leaving the throne to 18-year-old Cleopatra and her brother, the 10-year-old Ptolemy XIII. It is likely that the two siblings married, as was customary at the time. Over the next few years Egypt struggled to face down a number of issues, from an unhealthy economy to floods to famine.

Cleopatra also invested in infrastructure projects such as the expansion of ports along the Nile River and the Mediterranean coast, which helped trade and created employment opportunities for labourers, which is another reason why Cleopatra’s economic contributions were so significant to her society. This viewpoint can be backed up by Bob Bianchi, on the website ‘American Research Centre in Egypt’, who wrote about Cleopatra’s economic influences. This website also indicates that she strengthened Egypt’s economy by clarifying the value and trustworthiness of the bronze coinage. Cleopatra had long-term impacts by establishing clear standards, ensuring currency stability, and encouraging trust in the monetary system. Therefore, through alliances, making changes, and infrastructure investments, she brought wealth and stability to Egypt's economy.

Cleopatra is one of the most significant historical figures when it comes to beauty. Known as the prototype of the femme fatale, her image has prevailed throughout history. “The story of Cleopatra has influenced many historians, painters, writers and filmmakers... She is often described as an evil and sexy beauty who liked to take control of men.” During ancient times recounts of Cleopatra were told by Romans who may have seen her as a threat and wanted to ruin her image.

Cleopatra VII Philopator was believed to be born in 69 B.C., and was known in history has the last active pharaoh of Ptolemaic

Cleopatra believed herself to be a living goddess, and she often used clever stagecraft to woo potential allies and reinforce her divine status. A famous example of her flair for the dramatic came in 48 B.C., when Julius Caesar arrived in Alexandria during her feud with her brother Ptolemy XIII. Knowing Ptolemy’s forces would thwart her attempts to meet with the Roman general, Cleopatra had herself wrapped in a carpet—some sources say it was a linen sack—and smuggled into his personal quarters. Caesar was dazzled by the sight of the young queen in her royal garb, and the two soon became allies and lovers. Cleopatra later employed a similar bit of theater in her 41 B.C. encounter with Mark Antony.

Almost every pharaoh-queen was named Cleopatra, yet only one is ever thought of, Cleopatra Thea Philopator VII, “The Goddess and Beloved of her Father”. Every moment of her life from 69 BCE until August 12, 30 BCE was a story larger than life, epic in scale, and over the top in its grandeur. As the last reigning pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Ancient Egypt, she is remembered for her ability to rule as a political genius and a strong female leader living in a male-dominated world despite all odds being against her. Firstly, Cleopatra grew up in the Ptolemaic palace living a life of luxury, yet her subjects worshipped and even felt connected to her as more than just their queen. Secondly, after Cleopatra was exiled by her incompetent brother, Ptolemy XII, she came back with an army of mercenaries and took back Egypt to be its sole and more qualified ruler. Lastly, Cleopatra went to any means to secure her power and to ensure her nation’s financial and political strength; therefore what started off as a strategic alliance with Rome slowly became her dominance over most of the ancient world.

The last pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Empire, Cleopatra was indeed a successful ruler, however many speculations exist, as to why this is so. There are two representations of this powerful woman, one that positively enhanced her superiority, the other diminishing it; a highly intelligent being who's wits made it possible for Egypt to return to its former glory and a seductress who manipulated Rome's finest generals for political gain. Having most information, especially these portrayals, originated long after her death and written by her enemies, sources and evidence will require profound analysis for any bias that could've possibly shaped the way we interpret this Egyptian queen. Cleopatra, very much, was intelligent, a trait that most definitely

The first time that Cleopatra shows exceptional amounts of intelligence and control is when her father, Ptolemy Auletes, died when Cleopatra was eighteen, leaving herself and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII as co-rulers of Egypt. From the start, Cleopatra was forced to act efficiently, as a harsh famine was plaguing Egypt, the Roman Empire was already rising beyond control, and her desperation to become the dominant leader of Egypt was staunched due to laws of a mandatory inter-familial consort, leaving her to compete her brother for the power over their country. With all of these problems, Cleopatra resorted to tactics that would set her apart from her lazy and generally unimpressive father and her brother; she learnt how to speak Egyptian, unlike many of her other family members, giving her the opportunity to

Almost everyone is familiar with Cleopatra VII, an Egyptian queen who had an impact on much of the world in her time. She not only affected her own country, but many countries around her. Cleopatra made an impact on ancient Rome through her political wisdom and her affairs with some powerful Roman leaders. While she led her own country, she made decisions that impacted not only her own people, but also those who weren’t under her direct control. Cleopatra affected Rome by keeping Egypt under her control instead of letting it become Roman territory, bearing heirs for Caesar and Marc Antony, and by backing and assisting Marc Antony in opposition to Octavian.

At the time Cleopatra gained power the future of the Dynasty was in danger. Places like Cyprus, Coele-Syria, and Cyrenaica were not under her kingdom anymore, and in the remaining places there was poverty and famine. But Cleopatra was an ambitious woman and wanted her kingdom to be a strong and great empire. Between Pompey and Julius Caesar there was a conflict which leads to in a struggle. Cleopatra supported him however he was defeated and after his defeat Caesar came in Egypt, in Alexandria.

(“Cleopatra: The Woman…”) In 49 B.C., Cleopatra was forced to flee to Syria after Pothinus, Achillas, and Theodotus, who were Ptolemy XIII’s advisors, sought to overthrow her. They convinced the Egyptian people that Cleopatra was the cause of the famine that they were experiencing. (“Cleopatra.”)(“Cleopatra VII’s Childhood…”) She smuggled herself into the royal palace in a rug to plead her case with Julius Caesar. Cleopatra and Caesar became lovers. Ptolemy XIII discovered this and declared war on Caesar. Caesar overpowered Ptolemy XIII’s army and Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile River while trying to escape. (Cleopatra: The Woman…”)

Even though rulers have different stories to tell, the theme of their quest is quite similar. The main aspect of acquiring power is wealth. It can quite fairly be said that these two words, wealth and power, can be used as synonyms, because they complete one another. While being born into a “royal family”, means being born into wealth. With money, one can easily keep their country and people reasonably happy, and therefore stay in power. When Cleopatra came to power, Egypt was already a wealthy country, therefore she did not have to work for the power she gained, but Egypt at the beginning of Cleopatra's reign was not enough for her. People, who gain power and wealth, typically tend to want more of it as time passes by. This human need of wealth and power pushed Cleopatra to drastic strategies, yet she wouldn't stop until her kingdom was the wealthiest of them all. She of course, achieved this, through her relationship with Julius Cesar and Mark Anthony, and as Stacy Schiff said, “She now outranked them in both wealth and influence” (321). For Cleopatra the goal was infinite wealth, like for any other ruler. Through her story readers see that without wealth being at power and being successful is not possible, therefore wealth pays an important role in the quest for power. While

When I think back to Roman and Egyptian times the first name that comes to mind is Cleopatra. I envy her for many reasons. She was a great ruler, she had riches, she had fame and most of all she had an epic love story. There were not many female rulers or females with power when you look into history. Cleopatra is an example of many things, and is the epitome of a powerful historical female. Her name is synomious with beauty, power, intrigue and ultimately tragedy.

Cleopatra was a noteworthy Egyptian Pharaoh whose legacy and role was shaped by her experiences and achievements in ancient Egypt. It can be argued Cleopatra was a significant figure and her role and legacy was formed by her experiences, achievements because she stood for a symbol of power and strength in a time where society was male dominated. Cleopatra’s personality and early life impacted the beginning of her rise to power and in 51 BC she became sole leader of the Egypt. The key events in Cleopatra’s reign and the role she played during the alliance between herself and Caesar impacted on her reign. External factors informed her motives, which pushed her to make decisions during her rule, as it significantly impacted her relationship with Mark Antony. Cleopatra’s legacy had short and long-term effects; the consequences of her decisions pushed her to commit suicide, the events and choices she made during her life portrayed her significance.

Cleopatra innovatively utilised Roman politicians to benefit both herself and Egypt. Cleopatra's skillful manipulation of Roman generals consequences in her triumphs but also ultimately the downfall of Egypt. Many agree that Cleopatra never truly loved Caesar or Antony but it does seem evident that at least Casar did in fact love Cleopatra. While Cleopatra skillfully used Caesar and Antony to rid her of enemies and threats to the throne it was also a Roman politicians that effected the end of her reign and the prosperity of Egypt. Cleopatra’s manipulation of Roman politians which at first benefited her but ultimately was the source of her destruction.