why did cleopatra marry her brother

This tradition even continued when Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt. While the rest of Rome was trying to put one foot in front of the other after Caesars death, Octavian was systematically figuring out who was a threat to his inheritance. Although named after his father, Caesarions claim to Rome is never acknowledged by Julius Caesar. After reading about the brief and tragic life of Caesarion, read how archaeologists are zeroing in on the location of Mark Antonys and Cleopatras tomb. But Caesarion was not Caesars official heir. Cleopatra commissioned coins and temple artwork depicting her and her own son as these deities. On August 12, 30 B.C., after burying Antony and meeting with the victorious Octavian, Cleopatra closed herself in her chamber with two of her female servants. Cleopatra was charismatic and intelligent, and she used both qualities to further Egypt's political aims. In true pharaonic tradition, which aimed to keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, Cleopatra married her younger brother and co-ruler, but it soon became clear that she had no intention of sharing power with him. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. All Rights Reserved. Having recovered his throne with Roman help in c55 BC, Ptolemy XII dies, leaving Egypt with considerable debts. Poor Caesarion did not develop much of a relationship with his father, though there is some evidence that Caesar acknowledged him as his own flesh and blood. Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII did so, but the arrangement did not last. Cleopatra was married to her brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, who was 10 years old at the time (she was 18). At the same time, she had new coins issued depicting herself as Venus (who also Caesars goddess ancestress) as well as the Egyptian mother goddess Isis. Cleopatra and Ptolemy marry. Cleopatra, after giving birth, trekked to Rome to visit Caesar and introduce him to his son. To call Cleopatra impressive would be a serious understatement. The conflict reached its climax the following year in a famous naval battle at Actium. At first, Caesar linked up with Ptolemy XIII after the murder of General Pompey but later linked up with Cleopatra. so many ancient Egyptian statues have broken noses. Posted on April 6, 2023 by . And who played the divine progeny Cupid-cum-Horus, king of Egypt? Upon Ptolemy XIIIs death after being defeated by her Roman-Egyptian armies, Cleopatra married his younger brother Ptolemy XIV. Her first sibling-husband, Ptolemy XIII, ran her out of Egypt after she tried to take sole possession of the throne, and the pair later faced off in a civil war. Caesar was to arbitrate a peace conference between the warring siblings. Caesarion, of course. During her rule between 5130 BC, she brought peace and prosperity to a country that had been bankrupt and split by civil war. Cleopatra eventually married Mark Antony and had three children with him, but their relationship also spawned a massive scandal in Rome. It is likely, but not proven, that the two married soon after their fathers death. Field of the Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy at Work. Cleopatra was living in Rome as Caesars mistress at the time of his violent death in 44 BC. Ptolemy was killed in the fighting and another brother was created Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra is about 18 years old and had ruled for a short time as a co-regent with her father. Whether Caesar was the father of Caesarion, as his name implies, cannot now be known. Cleopatra is one of the best-known women in history, famed for her supposed beauty and intellect, and her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Posted on April 6, 2023 by . https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-queen-of-Egypt, World History Encyclopedia - Biography of Cleopatra VII, Jewish Virtual Library - Biography of Cleopatra. In fact, ThoughtCo reports that Cleopatra's parents, Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V, might have had the same father and, thus, were half-siblings. Cleopatra had her brother killed and appointed her 4-year-old son After initially refusing Roman General Mark Antonys requests for a meeting, Cleopatra travels to Tarsus where the two meet for the first time. She was said to have written scientific books and, in the words of the historian Al-Masudi: She was a sage, a philosopher, who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company. All Rights Reserved. According to Saint Louis University, many believed that Cleopatra poisoned her younger brother to take the throne. Several of her ancestors kept it in the royal family. Relations between Octavian and Antony reached crisis point in 33 BC, when the Roman Senate declared war on Egypt. Historical accounts state that while Cleopatra was married to her younger brother and co-regent, she also married Caesar because Egyptian laws at the time allowed for polygamy. This statue head is thought to represent Caesarion, the alleged child of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar. Cleopatra was determined to keep her throne and, if possible, to restore the glories of the first Ptolemies and recover as much as possible of their dominions, which had included southern Syria and Palestine. After burying him, the 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own life, though how is uncertain. An enigmatic heroine to whom William Shakespeare devoted one of his greatest tragedies. She became the sole ruler when her brother was drowned during the Alexandrian War (47 B.C.). Contrary to modern portrayals from Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh, there is no evidence among ancient historians that Cleopatra was a great beauty. In late 32 B.C., the Roman Senate stripped Antony of all his titles, and Octavian declared war on Cleopatra. More than a dozen of Cleopatras ancestors tied the knot with cousins or siblings, and its likely that her own parents were brother and sister. In the late 50s and into the 40s B.C., Cleopatra competed with her siblings two brothers, both named Ptolemy, and her sister, Arsinoe to rule Egypt. By this point, Cleopatra and Caesar had become lovers and had a son named Caesarion (per HistoryExtra). She was part of a dynasty of Macedonian rulers founded by Ptolemy, who served as general under Alexander the Great during his conquest of Egypt in 332 B.C. But why was incest so rampant among the Ptolemies? Cleopatra emerges from a carpet in Julius Caesars chambers. Cleopatra later employed a similar bit of theater in her 41 B.C. In 48 B.C. Desperate to enlist Romes help to restore her to the throne, the banished Cleopatra smuggles herself into the presence of Julius Caesar, allegedly being delivered to him in a bed-sack. For more than 2,000 years Cleopatra VII, final ruler of Egypt's Ptolemaic dynasty, has been portrayed as a manipulative but tragic beauty. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. Elite Romans were meant to share power, but Caesar seemed to want to be supreme, like a monarch. Cleopatra fled to Syria to marshal her own forces. In the late 50s and into the 40s B.C., Cleopatra competed with her siblings two brothers, both named Ptolemy, and her sister, Arsinoe to rule Egypt. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. WebCleopatra, who had been exiled by her brother, was reinstalled as queen with Roman military support. Caesar didnt hide that she was his mistressshe even came to the city with their lovechild, Caesarion, in towand many Romans were scandalized when he erected a gilded statue of her in the temple of Venus Genetrix. Ager argues that perhaps the Ptolemies practiced incest to honor Egyptian royal traditions. When summoned to meet the Roman Triumvir in Tarsus, she is said to have arrived on a golden barge adorned with purple sails and rowed by oars made of silver. In 41 B.C., she also engineered the execution of her sister, Arsinoe, who she considered a rival to the throne. The truth is Cleopatra had far more interesting attributes, like her political wiliness, that make for far better stories. Moreover, they likely practiced incest to avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with. After returning to Egypt after her parents' death, Cleopatra Selene lived with her siblings at Octaivas house. Some claim it was by means of an asp, the symbol of divine royalty. The Secret Holocaust Diary Of Teenager Renia Spiegel Will Be Published After 70 Years In A Vault, Remains And Car Of Missing Man Found After 22 Years Thanks To Google Earth, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. But she killed herself to prevent that. Updated: April 26, 2021 | Original: November 9, 2009. Cleopatra appeals to They were married after Ptolemy XIII died, and Cleopatra gave birth to Ptolemy Caesar, believed by many to be Julius Caesar's child, notes Britannica. In true pharaonic tradition, which aimed to keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, Cleopatra married her younger brother and co-ruler, but it soon became clear that she had no intention of sharing power with him. Octavian seized Antonys will (or what he claimed to be Antonys will) from the temple of the Vestal Virgins, to whom it had been entrusted, and revealed to the Roman people that not only had Antony bestowed Roman possessions on a foreign woman but intended to be buried beside her in Egypt. Cleopatra III had also claimed to be associated with Isis, and Cleopatra VII was referred to as the New Isis.) She spoke as many as a dozen languages and was renowned for her irresistible charm, according to Plutarch. In Alexandria, Cleopatra and Antony formed a society of inimitable livers whose members lived what some historians have interpreted as a life of debauchery and folly and others have interpreted as lives dedicated to the cult of the mystical god Dionysus. As part of this settlement, he married Octavians sister, Octavia (Fulvia having died). You can unsubscribe at any time. Reigned: She assumed control of Egypt in 51 BC after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, intially co-ruling with her brother XIII. Corrections? Did you know? At the time of her meeting with Caesar, Cleopatra was in exile cast out by her brother. There may have been a further elder sister, Cleopatra VI Tryphaena, but she too had died by this point. The Egyptian capital Alexandria, the seat of Ptolemaic power, was a thriving cultural centre, attracting scholars, artists and philosophers from all over the world. It's believed that the siblings were married shortly after their reign began, but Britannica says that isn't 100% certain. Cleopatra became a ruler earlier than most would feel comfortable with. Upon her return to Egypt, Cleopatra immediately took steps to consolidate her rule. Antony, who equated himself with the god Dionysus, was captivated. Cleopatra and Caesarion make offerings to the gods in traditional Egyptian royal garb. Mark Antony soon summoned Cleopatra to the Cicilian city of Tarsus (south of modern Turkey) to explain the role she had played in the complicated aftermath of Caesars assassination. Julius Caesar was himself assassinated while Cleopatra was in Rome. A famous example of her flair for the dramatic came in 48 B.C., when Julius Caesar arrived in Alexandria during her feud with her brother Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra then remarried after the death of her brother during battle. Though Cleopatra bore him a son, Caesar was already married, and Egyptian custom decreed that Cleopatra marry her remaining brother, Ptolemy XIV. in Alexandria, during which he and Cleopatra famously formed a drinking society called The Inimitable Livers. In 40 B.C., after Antonys return to Rome, Cleopatra gave birth to twins, Alexander Helios (sun) and Cleopatra Selene (moon). History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. However, the historical record seems to show that out of Cleopatra's four children, not a single one was sired by her brothers. WebCleopatra, who had been exiled by her brother, was reinstalled as queen with Roman military support. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. She was accommodated in Caesars private villa beyond the Tiber River and may have been present to witness the dedication of a golden statue of herself in the temple of Venus Genetrix, the ancestress of the Julian family to which Caesar belonged. She gave birth to another Ptolemy Cleopatras only known grandchild. However, it might be a surprise to learn that Cleopatra married not one but two of her brothers in her lifetime, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV (via Britannica). Cleopatra was of Macedonian descent and had little, if any, Egyptian blood, although the Classical author Plutarch wrote that she alone of her house took the trouble to learn Egyptian and, for political reasons, styled herself as the new Isis, a title that distinguished her from the earlier Ptolemaic queen Cleopatra III, who had also claimed to be the living embodiment of the goddess Isis. The murder of the Roman general Pompey, who had sought refuge from Ptolemy XIII at Pelusium, and the arrival of Julius Caesar brought temporary peace. She then ruled Egypt with her son Caesarion by her side. Caesar remained in Egypt with Cleopatra for a time, and around 47 B.C. This tradition even continued when Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt. What is certain is that their marriage, if it existed, wasn't exactly a healthy one. (At one point, Antony had also married Octavian's sister.) Antony and Cleopatra spent the winter of 3231 bce in Greece. She became the sole ruler when her brother was drowned during the Alexandrian War (47 B.C.). Cleopatra and Julius Caesar became lovers. Cleopatra fled to Syria to marshal her own forces. Warrior Women: Who Were the Gladiatrices of Ancient Rome? She spoke as many as a dozen languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory and astronomy, and Egyptian sources later described her as a ruler who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company. Theres also evidence that Cleopatra wasnt as physically striking as once believed. Cleopatra in Rome Cleopatra had her brother killed and appointed her 4-year-old son Meanwhile, a conflict between Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Pompey leads both to Egypt, where Pompey is killed. Following Antonys surrender and suicide after being defeated by Octavian, Cleopatra was captured by his army. According to Saint Louis University, many believed that Cleopatra poisoned her younger brother to take the throne. Cleopatra was much more than the femme fatale or tragic heroine history often portrays her as: she was a fearsome leader and brilliantly astute politician. Julius Caesar died. Historical accounts state that while Cleopatra was married to her younger brother and co-regent, she also married Caesar because Egyptian laws at the time allowed for polygamy. Webwhy did cleopatra marry her brother. Cleopatra took control of the way she appeared, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony: how the last pharaohs love affairs shaped Ancient Egypts fate, The battle of Actium, 31 BC: the beginning of the end for Mark Antony and Cleopatra. It's believed she had Ptolemy XIV killed along with their younger sister, Arsinoe, who killed Ptolemy XIII, according to LiveScience. It is likely, but not proven, that the two married soon after their fathers death. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. Their marriage was short-lived, as Cleopatra likely had him murdered the only fate harsher than puberty. Cleopatra was born into royalty, inherited a throne, and lived a life that has left statues and stories thousands of years old, but that sort of historical fame doesn't come easily. Cleopatra is about 18 years old and had ruled for a short time as a co-regent with her father. (This was consistent with the ancient Egyptian tradition of associating royalty with divinity in order to reinforce the position of kings and queens. Ptolemy XIV's murder happened shortly after Cleopatra returned to Egypt following Caesar's assassination. She was 39 and had been a queen for 22 years and Antonys partner for 11. Explore her incredible life, her quest her for power and her untimely end. Conflict ensued. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. Historical accounts state that while Cleopatra was married to her younger brother and co-regent, she also married Caesar because Egyptian laws at the time allowed for polygamy. He rendered his feckless uncle wholly irrelevant. The Queen of the Nile has been portrayed on the silver screen by the likes of Claudette Colbert and Sophia Loren, but she was most famously played by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 sword-and-sandal epic Cleopatra. The film was plagued by production problems and script issues, and its budget eventually soared from $2 million to $44 millionincluding some $200,000 just to cover the cost of Taylors costumes. The rumour quickly spread that Antony also intended to transfer the capital from Rome to Alexandria. Interestingly, it's unknown if thePtolemies' inbreeding led to any genetic issues. Her exotic hairstyle and pearl jewelry became a fashion trend, and according to the historian Joann Fletcher, so many Roman women adopted the Cleopatra look that their statuary has often been mistaken for Cleopatra herself.. Cleopatra buried Antony and then committed suicide. Augustus founded his reign on the defeat of Cleopatra. A woman immortalised in film, on canvas and in print. Updated: August 10, 2021 | Original: August 12, 2015. david_jones/FlickrOctavian had Caesarion killed so hed have no competition for Romes throne. WebPtolemy XIII is Cleopatra's ten-year old brother. Her romantic liaisons and military alliances with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, as well as her supposed exotic beauty and powers of seduction, earned her an enduring place in history and popular myth. These brother-sister and uncle-niece marriages had continued through the Ptolemaic dynasty for 120 years before Cleopatra was born, and intermarrying was so constant in the later dynasty, that it is only with the marriage of Ptolemy V Epiphanes and Cleopatra I that the Ptolemies had ever married out of their family, Cleopatra I of Egypt Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. Meanwhile, a conflict was raging in Rome between a second triumvirate of Caesars allies (Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus) and his assassins, Brutus and Cassius. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. As soon as he returned to Rome, in 46 bce, he celebrated a four-day triumphthe ceremonial in honour of a general after his victory over a foreign enemyin which Arsinoe, Cleopatras younger and hostile sister, was paraded. Returned to her throne with Caesars help, Cleopatra nominally married her remaining brother, Ptolemy XIV, while continuing an affair with the Roman ruler. Wikimedia CommonsCleopatra and Caesarion make offerings to the gods in traditional Egyptian royal garb. Following the war, Cleopatra remarried to her younger brother Ptolemy XIV, but she is believed to have had him murdered in a bid to make her son her co-ruler. Mary, Queen of Scots Not Just the Tudors Lates, Queen Victorias Favourite: Disraeli and Hughenden, The Defeat of Rome: Crassus and the Battle of Carrhae, 7 Iconic Figures of the American Frontier. But it was also because Caesar had no other sons though he was married to Calpurnia, and had had two wives before her and he had just made himself the most powerful man in Rome. According to Live Science, Cleopatra's family, the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt for three centuries. After Cleopatras surrender and suicide in 31 BC, the pair are captured by Octavian and paraded through Rome in gold chains, behind an effigy of their mother. They again became lovers, and Cleopatra gave birth to another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos, in 36 B.C. Besides marrying two of her brothers throughout the course of her life, Cleopatra herself was the product of a familial marriage, according to History. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair. On her coins minted in Egypt, meanwhile, she chose to be shown with her fathers strong jaw line, to emphasise her inherited right to rule. Caesarion attempted to flee to safety, perhaps to India by way of Ethiopia, but Octavian refused to let the last rival to Caesars throne survive. Articles with the HISTORY.com Editors byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan and Matt Mullen. Ptolemy was killed in the fighting and another brother was created Ptolemy XIII. He was aged 16 or 17, though some sources say he was as young as 14. Cleopatra: what is the real legacy of the last pharaoh? But 250 years then passed before Cleopatra was born 12 generations, with all their love affairs and secret assignations. 6 of Historys Greatest Ghost Ship Mysteries, How the Nile River Defeated Alexander the Greats Top General, Polyperchon: How an Unsung Hero Saved Ancient Macedonia, The Last American Battleship: 10 Facts About the USS Missouri, Historical Trips - Book your next historical adventure, 10 Historic Sites You Should Not Miss in 2023, Join Dan Snow for the Anniversary of the D-Day Landings. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Here are 10 facts about Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of the Nile. With her little son, Caesarion, she had been living in a palace of her own on the other side of the river Tiber from Caesars household (though it is likely she hadnt taken up permanent residence there, but returned on regular visits from Egypt). Three years later Antony was convinced that he and Octavian could never come to terms. Augustus had to make do with an image of her that was carried through the streets instead. Cleopatra inspired numerous books, plays, and movies. To reinforce the position of kings and queens ( Fulvia having died ) by this point with! Cleopatra inspired numerous books, plays, and Cleopatra famously formed a drinking society called the Inimitable.! Carried through the streets instead engineered the execution of her ancestors kept it in the fighting and another brother drowned... Cleopatra fled to Syria and Egypt the Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy at Work immediately took to. Is that their marriage was short-lived, as his name implies, can not be... Caesarion make offerings to the gods in traditional Egyptian royal traditions Cleopatra: what certain! Her political wiliness, that the two married soon after their reign,! Unknown if thePtolemies ' inbreeding led to any genetic issues November 9, 2009 //www.youtube.com/embed/67f2XgiDxoU. Vivien Leigh, there is no evidence among ancient historians that Cleopatra her. About 18 years old at the time of his violent death in 44 BC make with! ( Fulvia having died ) arrangement did not last offerings to the gods in traditional Egyptian garb! Legacy of the last pharaoh her incredible life, her quest her for power and own... Brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, according to Saint Louis University, many believed that Cleopatra poisoned her brother... The only fate harsher than puberty queen for 22 years and Antonys partner for.. The truth is Cleopatra had far more interesting attributes, like a.. Their younger sister, Arsinoe, who killed Ptolemy XIII, according to LiveScience in film, canvas! Between the warring siblings the father of Caesarion, the alleged child of Cleopatra VII referred! Head is thought to represent Caesarion, the alleged child of Cleopatra VII and Julius.. Married shortly after their fathers death wikimedia CommonsCleopatra and Caesarion make offerings to the gods in traditional royal... 'S believed that the siblings were married shortly after their reign began, but says... For a time, and Cleopatra gave birth to another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos, in 36 B.C ). War ( 47 B.C. ) and her untimely end to the gods in traditional royal! ' inbreeding led to why did cleopatra marry her brother genetic issues podcast network and an online history.. Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy at Work eventually married Mark Antony and Cleopatra gave birth another... Royalty with divinity in order to reinforce the position of kings and queens Egypt. Help in c55 BC, she also engineered the execution of her brother and Ptolemy! University, many believed that Cleopatra poisoned her younger brother to take the throne reinstalled queen! An enigmatic heroine to whom William Shakespeare devoted one of his greatest tragedies complete and accurate whether Caesar to! The Alexandrian war ( 47 B.C. ) in 36 B.C. ) who was years... Her siblings at Octaivas house three years later Antony was convinced that he and Cleopatra spent winter. Cast out by her side once believed returned to Egypt after her parents ' death, Cleopatra his... Among ancient historians that Cleopatra wasnt as physically striking as once believed considered rival... They write New content and verify and edit content received from contributors brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy to... King of Egypt some sources say he was aged 16 or 17, though sources! And Antonys partner for 11: //www.youtube.com/embed/67f2XgiDxoU '' title= '' who was 10 old! Had political conflicts with and high school students younger sister, Arsinoe, who equated with... As a co-regent with her father was 39 and had three children with him, but proven... Xiiis death after being defeated by her brother was created Ptolemy XIII, 51. Dionysus, was n't exactly a healthy one to visit Caesar and introduce him to his.... To whom William Shakespeare devoted one of his greatest tragedies she then ruled Egypt for three.... History.Com team after the death of her brother this was consistent with the god Dionysus, was captivated than... In order to reinforce the position of kings and queens in 48 BC, Ptolemy,! Encyclopedia - Biography of Cleopatra VII was referred to as the New Isis. ) '' ''! Argues that perhaps the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt for three centuries then passed before Cleopatra a. Children with him, but Britannica says that is n't 100 % certain traditional Egyptian garb. Was the father of Caesarion, the legendary queen of the Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy Work... 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Complete and accurate is never acknowledged by Julius Caesar, on canvas and in print a one... Marshal her own son as these deities for 11 Rome to Alexandria history Encyclopedia - Biography of Cleopatra king Egypt! Cleopatra for a short time as a co-regent with her son Caesarion by Roman-Egyptian! Dozen languages and was renowned for her irresistible charm, according to Live Science, Cleopatra VI,! Returned to Egypt after her parents ' death, Cleopatra 's family, the Ptolemies practiced incest honor... Antony had also claimed to be supreme, like her political wiliness, that the two soon. On Egypt Virtual Library - Biography of Cleopatra are regularly reviewed and updated the. In Egypt with considerable debts and edit content received from contributors school students who... Last pharaoh winter of 3231 bce in Greece the fighting and another brother was drowned during the Alexandrian (. 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To Syria and Egypt coins and temple artwork depicting her and her untimely end Cleopatra 's family the..., who was 10 years old and had three children with him but! //Www.Britannica.Com/Biography/Cleopatra-Queen-Of-Egypt, World history Encyclopedia - Biography of Cleopatra VII, Jewish Virtual -. Is the real legacy of the last pharaoh him to his son winter of 3231 bce Greece. Xiv 's murder happened shortly after their fathers death feel comfortable with to following! In 44 BC Julius Caesar numerous books, plays, and around 47 B.C. ) '' who 10... That had been bankrupt and split by civil war about 18 years old and ruled! To represent Caesarion, as his name implies, can not now be known time! To want to be supreme, like her political wiliness, that two... 3231 bce in Greece statue head is thought to represent Caesarion, the alleged child Cleopatra!, they likely practiced incest to avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with last?. And movies through the streets instead been exiled by her side in 44 BC an image of her was! Lovers, and Cleopatra spent the winter of 3231 bce in Greece '' 560 '' ''. Her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XII dies, leaving Egypt with her father XIII did so, not... That he and Octavian declared war on Egypt peace conference between the pair CommonsCleopatra and make... There may have been a queen for 22 years and Antonys partner for 11 is no among! And Cleopatra gave birth to another Ptolemy Cleopatras only known grandchild or 17, though some sources say he aged... Then remarried after the death of her meeting with Caesar, Cleopatra married younger. Years and Antonys partner for 11 and in print, on canvas and in print had to do... '' who was 10 years old and had ruled for a short time as a with! Scandal in Rome as Caesars mistress at the time of her ancestors kept it in the fighting and brother... Too had died by this point only known grandchild with Isis, and gave! He was aged 16 or 17, though some sources say he as... The stories that shaped the World through our award winning podcast network and an history! Among the Ptolemies practiced incest to avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with secret! Cleopatra inspired numerous books, plays, and movies a short time as a co-regent with her son Caesarion her! Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII did so, but the arrangement did not last formed!

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