Cleopatra

large view Cleopatra's image on an ancient coin. It was said she wasn't pretty but could be very charming. large view A sculpture of how Queen Cleopatra may have looked.

Cleopatra - Queen of Egypt

Queen Cleopatra was born as Cleopatra VII in the city of Alexandria, which was the capital of Egypt at that time (about 69 BC). Her father was Egypt’s pharaoh at the time. His name was Ptolemy XII, but was nicknamed Auletes or “Flute-Player”.

Her mother, Cleopatra V, was probably one of Ptolemy XII’s sisters. It was very common in those days to marry brothers and sisters so no other family could try to take away the ruler's power.

The family originally came from the country of Macedonia. Ptolemy I helped Alexander the Great as one of his generals. When Alexander died in 323 BC, Ptolemy I became King.

Cleopatra had older sisters named Berenice and Cleopatra VI and younger brothers both named Ptolemy (XIII and XIV) after their father, plus she also had another younger sister.

Berenice became queen for about three years when her father left the country because he had many enemies. Cleopatra VI died during that time, no one seems to know for sure what happened to her.

When Ptolemy XII came back and took over Egypt again, he had his own daughter (Queen Berenice) killed. When Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC, Cleopatra VII was his oldest living child. That was how Cleopatra VII became Queen of Egypt!

Cleopatra was never queen by herself, however. She ruled for a time with each of her younger brothers and also toward the end, she ruled with her young son (another Ptolemy - Ptolemy XV).

Cleopatra was 17 or 18 when she became queen. She was very smart (and clever). She learned nine (9) different languages so she could speak to people from all the surrounding areas. In fact, Queen Cleopatra was the only Ptolemy ruler that could actually speak Egyptian!

Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Many say she died by allowing herself to be bitten by an asp (a poisonous snake). For sure, she ended her own life in some way. It is said she did this so she would not be captured by the Roman armies that came and took over Egypt. She died at the age of 39.

- Research completed by Adam S. and Noah L.

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