Cleopatra
Cleopatra VII, last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt (69-30 BCE), and her alliances with Caesar and Mark Antony.
Category: Figures
- 51 BCECleopatra VII takes the throne
In 51 BCE Cleopatra, aged about 18, becomes ruler of Egypt with her brother Ptolemy XIII. A descendant of Ptolemy I and the last active Ptolemaic ruler, she is the first of her dynasty reported to have learned Egyptian.
- 48 BCEAlexandrian War; Caesar and Cleopatra
Besieged in the palace quarter of Alexandria, Caesar sides with Cleopatra against her brother Ptolemy XIII. After relief arrives and Ptolemy dies in early 47 BCE, he makes her queen. Caesarion is born around June.
- 34 BCEDonations of Alexandria
In autumn 34 BCE Antony proclaims Cleopatra queen of kings and Caesarion Caesar's legitimate heir, and gives lands to his children with Cleopatra. The Senate rejects the grants and Octavian intensifies his attacks on Antony.
- September 2, 31 BCEBattle of Actium
On 2 September 31 BCE Agrippa's fleet routs Antony's and Cleopatra's off Actium on the Ionian Sea. Antony escapes with a few ships and his army later deserts.
- August 30 BCEAlexandria falls; Antony and Cleopatra die
Octavian takes Alexandria on 1 August 30 BCE. Antony stabs himself and Cleopatra kills herself on 12 August. Caesarion is put to death and Egypt ends as a kingdom, becoming Octavian's personal possession.