by Belinda Brown

Created on: October 08, 2010

Cleopatra was born in 69BC in Alexandria, Egypt. Cleopatra was the last Egyptian to reign over Egypt, until it fell into Roman control shortly after her death.

Cleopatra was a descendant of one of Alexander the Great's predecessors and therefore she belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt. The majority of the Ptolemies spoke Greek as most had refused to speak the native tongue of Egypt. Cleopatra however, was the only Ptolemaic Pharaoh who learned and spoke the Egyptian language. She had defined herself as Egyptian and had adopted the Egyptian religion. Cleopatra had the strong belief she was the reincarnation of an Egyptian goddess and had portrayed herself as such.

Cleopatra had become Queen to the throne in 51BC at the tender age of seventeen, after the death of her Father, Ptolemy XII. Initially, she had joint rule over Egypt with her brother, Ptolemy XIII. During her reign, Egypt was suffered with famine after drought which had stopped the Nile River from flooding and replenishing the crops.

Pompey, her father's senate-appointed guardian had been defeated in battle at Pharsalus in August of 48BC. He had fled to Alexandria to seek refuge and upon his arrival in Alexandria, he had been executed. Julius Caesar, in pursuit of Pompey had arrived in Alexandria four days later bringing with him a large army which consisted of 800 cavalry men and 3200 legionaries. Caesar had declared himself ruler over Egypt and a riot ensued as a result of his declaration. Ptolemy XIII, the King of Egypt had fled to Pelusium and Caesar had taken charge over the royal palace, where he had ordered his men to force Ptolemy XIII to return to Alexandria.

Cleopatra had willingly invited herself to Caesar's palace and had initiated one of the greatest love affairs in history by seducing Caesar. Caesar had fallen in love with Cleopatra. Upon Ptolemy's return, he was outraged by the love affair and declared betrayal and treason to the city of Alexandria. For a short time, Cleopatra had been overthrown from her reign and war had been declared against Caesar and his army. Caesar had defeated Ptolemy XIII and after his death, Caesar restored Cleopatra's position as Queen of Egypt.

By law and custom, Cleopatra was forced to marry her younger brother, Ptolemy XIV in order to become Queen, although she was in love with Caesar. They continued their love affair despite her marriage and several months later, she had fallen pregnant. She gave birth to Caesar's son, which she named Caesarion,

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