Cleopatra VII Philopator
Also known as: Cleopatra · Queen of the Nile
Queen of Egypt
Locations
Geographic Footprint
Life & Battles
Timeline
Born in Alexandria
Born into the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt after Alexander's empire.
Became Co-Ruler
Ascended the throne with her brother Ptolemy XIII after her father's death.
Alliance with Julius Caesar
Regained political control in Egypt with Roman support during civil conflict.
Battle of the Nile
Nile Delta, Egypt - vs Ptolemy XIII royal forces - Secured Cleopatra's position in Alexandria with Caesar's military support.
Met Mark Antony
Formed a political and military alliance that dominated eastern Mediterranean politics.
Defeat at Actium
Combined Egyptian and Antonian fleets were defeated by Octavian's forces.
Battle of Actium
Actium, Greece - vs Octavian and Agrippa - Strategic naval defeat that ended her alliance's chance to challenge Octavian.
Death in Alexandria
Died after Octavian captured Alexandria, ending the Ptolemaic kingdom.
Siege of Alexandria
Alexandria, Egypt - vs Octavian's Roman forces - Final collapse of Ptolemaic resistance and the end of independent Egypt.
Family Tree
Parents
Ptolemy XII Auletes
Father
c. 117-51 BC
Cleopatra V Tryphaena
Mother
fl. 79-57 BC
Subject & Siblings
Cleopatra VII
Self
69 BC - 30 BC
Ptolemy XIII
Brother and Co-Ruler
c. 62-47 BC
Ptolemy XIV
Brother and Co-Ruler
c. 60-44 BC
Spouses
Julius Caesar
Political and Personal Ally
100-44 BC
Mark Antony
Political and Personal Ally
83-30 BC
Children
Caesarion (Ptolemy XV)
Son
47-30 BC
Cleopatra Selene II
Daughter
40 BC-5 BC
Alexander Helios
Son
40 BC-after 25 BC
Ptolemy Philadelphus
Son
36 BC-after 29 BC
Key Contributions
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Crown Last Pharaoh of Egypt
The final sovereign of the Ptolemaic line before Roman annexation.
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Globe Diplomatic Strategy
Built power through alliance networks across Egypt, Rome, and the eastern Mediterranean.
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Language Multilingual Rule
Known for speaking multiple languages, unusual among Ptolemaic rulers.
Fact Cards
Book
Scholar Queen
Cleopatra was associated with Alexandria's intellectual culture and court scholarship.
Navy
Naval Command Presence
She personally accompanied fleets and military campaigns with Antony.
Died before Roman Triumph
Last Scene
Location: Alexandria, Egypt
Burial: Alexandria, Egypt (exact site unknown)
Key Figures
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Cleopatra VII
Final Ptolemaic ruler facing defeat by Rome
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Octavian
Roman leader whose victory led to Egypt becoming a Roman province
Aftermath
Cleopatra's death marked the end of independent Ptolemaic Egypt. After 30 BC, Egypt was incorporated into the Roman state, and Octavian soon became Augustus.
Chain of Events
August 30 BC
Alexandria Falls to Octavian
Roman forces took control of the city and ended armed resistance.
August 30 BC
Cleopatra's Death in Alexandria
She passed away before Octavian could display her as a captive in his triumph procession through Rome.
"I will not be triumphed over."
Plutarch, Life of Antony (attributed)