Cleopatra was a princess of the illustrious Ptolemy dynasty of Egypt. Her life was already filled with danger and intrigue before she became romantically involved first with Julius Caesar and then with his successor Antony. In the case of both relationships, she initiated the liaison in order to provide herself with protection from her powerful enemies within Egypt. In both cases however, she succeeded in prevailing over her enemies within Egypt only to be undone by new and more powerful enemies from within Rome.
![]() |
A few years later, when she heard that Antony, the successor of Caesar, was in Asia, she contrived to meet him on a spectacularly adorned barge. Knowing his weaknesses for luxury and indulgence, it was not long before Antony too was in her clutches. Although they were separated for several years when Antony returned to Rome, eventually he returned to visit her in Egypt and became a captive of her charms. The Romans citizens, and Octavius in particular, were very displeased an Antony's neglect of his responsibilities and eventually sought to take away his command. The battle of Actium followed, but instead of fighting to the end, Antony and Cleopatra sailed back to Egypt while the battle was still raging. Since all was lost, they both committed suicide. Cleopatra's son by Julius Caesar, Caesarion, was put to death by Octavius, but the two young children of Antony were taken to Rome and raised in Octavia's household.
Married to her younger brother Ptolemy, in order to keep the throne with the family. | |
Flees towards Syria after dispute with her minister, but, on Caesar's arrival, returns to Alexandria. | |
Caesar restores Cleopatra to throne, after battling with her enemies in Alexandrine War. | |
Cleopatra bore a son, Caesarion, to Caesar, followed him to Rome and lived as his mistress there. | |
Returned to Egypt after death of Caesar. | |
Enchants Antony when she meets him in Asia on her barge. He later joins her in Egypt. | |
Antony returns to Rome and marries Octavia, sister of Octavius. | |
Antony returns to Cleopatra in Egypt, neglects responsibilities, alienates Romans. | |
Cleopatra bears twins to Antony. | |
Antony is stripped of his leadership in the Eastern Empire. | |
At Actium, Cleopatra and Antony sail back to Egypt before the battle was finished. | |
Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide in Egypt. Caesarion put to death by Octavius. |
Caesar in Egypt in | Julius Caesar by Jacob Abbott |
Man Who Looked Like Hercules in | Tales of the Romans: The Children's Plutarch by F. J. Gould |
Antony and Cleopatra in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Antony in | Our Young Folks' Plutarch by Rosalie Kaufman |
Antony and Cleopatra in | The Story of Rome by Mary Macgregor |
Antony and Cleopatra in | Historical Tales: Roman by Charles Morris |
Book Links |
---|
Image Links | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Cleopatra's Barge in Julius Caesar |
![]() Cleopatra Entering the Palace of Caesar. in Cleopatra |
![]() Cleopatra's Sister in the Triumphal Procession in Cleopatra |
![]() The Raising of Antony to the Upper Window of the Tomb. in Cleopatra |
![]() Antony and Cleopatra in The Story of the Romans |
![]() The Dead Cleopatra in Greatest Nations - Persia |
![]() Cleopatra Brought before Caesar in Greatest Nations - Rome |
![]() Caesar at Cleopatra's Court in Greatest Nations - Rome |
![]() The First Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra in Greatest Nations - Rome |
![]() The Last Feast of Cleopatra in Greatest Nations - Rome |
![]() Augustus Caesar and Cleopatra in Back Matter |
![]() The Galley of Cleopatra in Historical Tales: Roman |
![]() Cleopatra sailed up the river, in a gilded vessel, with purple sails and silver oars. in On the Shores of the Great Sea |
![]() Fete at the Court of Cleopatra. in Old World Hero Stories |
Conquered Gaul, prevailed in civil war. Mastermind of Roman empire. Killed by senators. | |
With Octavius, led empire after Caesar's death. Liaison with Cleopatra caused downfall. | |
First emperor. Reigned for over fifty years. Established the Imperial system. | |
Ptolemy XII | Younger brother and husband of Cleopatra. |
Pothinus | Minister who ruled Egypt in name of Ptolemy XII; enemy of Cleopatra. |
Caesarion | Son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Put to death by Octavius. |