Cleopatra

The last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra came to power alongside her father Ptolemy XII, before sharing power with her brother-husbands, and finally securing sole control of Egypt. Her union with Julius Caesar, to whom she bore a son, strengthened her position as a ruler and, after Caesar's death, she went on to form an alliance with Mark Anthony, producing three more children from this.

VIDEO: Search for the Tomb of Cleopatra (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Martinez)

Although bearing the Egyptian title 'Pharaoh', Cleopatra is thought to have been a member of the Greek aristocracy established in Egypt by Alexander the Great some 300 years before. Nevertheless, Cleopatra learnt the language of her subjects and adopted their deities. Her reign marked the end of the Hellenistic period in the eastern Mediterranean and after her death Egypt came into the full control of Rome.

Interesting sites

British Museum

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Great Pyramid of Giza

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Catacombs of Rome

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Alternative names

Cleopatra VII, Cleopatra VII Philopator, Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator

Interesting Publications

The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens and the Search for the Good Life

Jonathan Cape Ltd (8 Oct 2010)

by Bettany Hughes

Mountains of the Pharaohs: The Untold Story of the Pyramid Builders by Zahi Hawass

Doubleday (2006)

by Zahi Hawass

Egyptian Things to Make and Do

Usborne Publishing (30 Jan 2009)

by Emily Bone

Images

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