Although she died over two thousand years ago, the name of Cleopatra lives on, worldwide. None more so than in the land she adopted. Visitors on Egypt holidays are confused at the number of attractions that bear her name, like the Cleopatra Pool in the Siwa Oasis or the Cleopatra Bath at Mersa Matruh, which have no connection with her whatsoever. The name itself conjures up images of beauty and refinement. So who was this enigmatic woman, known for her beauty and by everyone, for seducing Roman generals and shaping the history of Egypt so dramatically?
Cleopatra was not Egyptian by birth. She was born in Alexandria in 69 BC and was the third daughter of Ptolemy Xll. He was much hated by the Egyptians, so much so, that he sought sanctuary in Rome for several years. When her father died in 51 BC, Cleopatra ruled with her brother, Ptolemy Xlll, whom she married, as was the custom at the time. She was 17. Her brother wanted to rule alone and sent her into exile. At the time she ascended to the throne, the Ptolemics strength was weakening, whilst the Roman Empire was growing in strength.
Tributes had to be paid to Rome to keep them out of Egypt. Cleopatra decided to enlist the help of Rome by promising herself to Caesar, wrapped in a carpet, if he got rid of her brother/ husband. Such was the allure of Cleopatra that Caesar had him killed, and Cleopatra and Caesar became lovers. In 47 BC, Cleopatra dutifully married the next brother in line, 11 year old Ptolemy XIV, but straight after the ceremony, she went on a cruise with Caesar. The union of the two lovers would have made Egypt a world power, ruled jointly by Caesar and Cleopatra. Republicans in the Senate were worried about this and decided to have Caesar killed, knifed by conspirators, led by Brutus on the steps of the Senate on the infamous Ides of March.
After the assassination, Cleopatra took a Roman general, Marc Antony as her lover. She needed an ally to save her from the rightful heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Augustus, who hated her. With Marc Antony, she had three children. Augustus's forces clashed with a rebel army led by Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium and vanquished them. Marc Antony committed suicide and Cleopatra followed him on August 12th, 30 BC by killing herself with an asp bite. Many tourists on Luxor holidays believe that she is buried in the Valley of the Queens but she is buried next to Marc Antony in a mausoleum in Alexandria.
Throughout history, many have told the tale of Cleopatra. Even Shakespeare immortalised her in the play 'Anthony and Cleopatra'. Jules Massenet wrote an opera about her life, Cleopatre and in 1963, a film was made starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It was the highest grossing film of the year and yet still made a loss of $18 million dollars as it was so expensive to make. There were plans for two films to be made 'Caesar and Cleopatra' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' but these were later modified to make just the one film, which itself went way over budget. Tourists on Egypt holidays can do a Cleopatra Tour, where they learn of her turbulent life and take in the sites of Egypt, having connections with the Egyptian Queen. There is also an exhibition in Philadelphia 'Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt' which has some very interesting artefacts.
Cleopatra was not Egyptian by birth. She was born in Alexandria in 69 BC and was the third daughter of Ptolemy Xll. He was much hated by the Egyptians, so much so, that he sought sanctuary in Rome for several years. When her father died in 51 BC, Cleopatra ruled with her brother, Ptolemy Xlll, whom she married, as was the custom at the time. She was 17. Her brother wanted to rule alone and sent her into exile. At the time she ascended to the throne, the Ptolemics strength was weakening, whilst the Roman Empire was growing in strength.
Tributes had to be paid to Rome to keep them out of Egypt. Cleopatra decided to enlist the help of Rome by promising herself to Caesar, wrapped in a carpet, if he got rid of her brother/ husband. Such was the allure of Cleopatra that Caesar had him killed, and Cleopatra and Caesar became lovers. In 47 BC, Cleopatra dutifully married the next brother in line, 11 year old Ptolemy XIV, but straight after the ceremony, she went on a cruise with Caesar. The union of the two lovers would have made Egypt a world power, ruled jointly by Caesar and Cleopatra. Republicans in the Senate were worried about this and decided to have Caesar killed, knifed by conspirators, led by Brutus on the steps of the Senate on the infamous Ides of March.
After the assassination, Cleopatra took a Roman general, Marc Antony as her lover. She needed an ally to save her from the rightful heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, later known as Augustus, who hated her. With Marc Antony, she had three children. Augustus's forces clashed with a rebel army led by Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium and vanquished them. Marc Antony committed suicide and Cleopatra followed him on August 12th, 30 BC by killing herself with an asp bite. Many tourists on Luxor holidays believe that she is buried in the Valley of the Queens but she is buried next to Marc Antony in a mausoleum in Alexandria.
Throughout history, many have told the tale of Cleopatra. Even Shakespeare immortalised her in the play 'Anthony and Cleopatra'. Jules Massenet wrote an opera about her life, Cleopatre and in 1963, a film was made starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It was the highest grossing film of the year and yet still made a loss of $18 million dollars as it was so expensive to make. There were plans for two films to be made 'Caesar and Cleopatra' and 'Antony and Cleopatra' but these were later modified to make just the one film, which itself went way over budget. Tourists on Egypt holidays can do a Cleopatra Tour, where they learn of her turbulent life and take in the sites of Egypt, having connections with the Egyptian Queen. There is also an exhibition in Philadelphia 'Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt' which has some very interesting artefacts.
No comments:
Post a Comment