Who was Cleopatra VII?Who was Cleopatra VII? Born in Alexandria, then capital of Born in Alexandria, then capital of

Egypt in 69 BC Egypt in 69 BC

Parents: Father Pharaoh, Ptolemy XII, Parents: Father Pharaoh, Ptolemy XII, aka Auletes or “Flute Player” and her aka Auletes or “Flute Player” and her mother was probably Auletes’s sister mother was probably Auletes’s sister Cleopatra V Tryphaena (it was Cleopatra V Tryphaena (it was common place for members of the common place for members of the Ptolemaic dynasty to marry their Ptolemaic dynasty to marry their sibilings)sibilings)

Cleopatra had several siblings: elder Cleopatra had several siblings: elder sister, Cleopatra VI; elder sister sister, Cleopatra VI; elder sister Berenice; younger sister, Arsinoe and Berenice; younger sister, Arsinoe and two younger brothers both called two younger brothers both called Ptolemy.Ptolemy.

Cleopatra’s family was not truly Cleopatra’s family was not truly Egyptian, they were Macedonian Egyptian, they were Macedonian which is Greek.which is Greek.

Cleopatra’s Early LifeCleopatra’s Early Life Cleopatra’s father dies in 51 BCCleopatra’s father dies in 51 BC

Cleopatra and her brother Cleopatra and her brother Ptolmey XIII are left the throne.Ptolmey XIII are left the throne.

Cleopatra was not particularly Cleopatra was not particularly beautiful but was very beautiful but was very intelligent. intelligent.

She spoke 9 languages including She spoke 9 languages including Egyptian. She was the first Egyptian. She was the first Ptolemy Pharoh every to speak Ptolemy Pharoh every to speak Egyptian.Egyptian.

Cleopatra rules for 3 years on Cleopatra rules for 3 years on her own until her brothers her own until her brothers advisers exile her to Syria .advisers exile her to Syria .

Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar

Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar While Cleopatra was in exile Julius Caesar was vying against While Cleopatra was in exile Julius Caesar was vying against

Pompey for control of the Roman Empire. Pompey went to Pompey for control of the Roman Empire. Pompey went to Alexandria to seek protection from Ptolemy, but his advisers Alexandria to seek protection from Ptolemy, but his advisers found it safer to side with Caesar. found it safer to side with Caesar.

Pompey arrived in Alexandria ahead of Caesar he was Pompey arrived in Alexandria ahead of Caesar he was

stabbed to death while Ptolemy watched.stabbed to death while Ptolemy watched.

When Caesar arrived, Ptolemy thought it would please him When Caesar arrived, Ptolemy thought it would please him to present him with Pompey’s head.to present him with Pompey’s head.

Caesar was not amused and immediately took control of the Caesar was not amused and immediately took control of the Palace.Palace.

He called for Ptolemy and Cleopatra to come together and He called for Ptolemy and Cleopatra to come together and he would settle their dispute and restores Cleopatra to the he would settle their dispute and restores Cleopatra to the Egyptian Throne.Egyptian Throne.

Cleopatra and Julius CaesarCleopatra and Julius Caesar Immediately upon meeting her Immediately upon meeting her

Caesar was bewitched by her and Caesar was bewitched by her and they became lovers that night.they became lovers that night.

Even though Caesar and Cleopatra Even though Caesar and Cleopatra were lovers, she married her brother were lovers, she married her brother Ptolemy. She was about 17 he was Ptolemy. She was about 17 he was 12.12.

She later gave birth to a son She later gave birth to a son

Caesarion or “Little Caesar” Caesarion or “Little Caesar”

In 44 BC Caesar was killed, Rome In 44 BC Caesar was killed, Rome was in turmoil and Cleopatra was in turmoil and Cleopatra returned to Egypt with her son. Her returned to Egypt with her son. Her brother/husband died shortly after brother/husband died shortly after their arrival, it is believed by their arrival, it is believed by poisoned at her hands.poisoned at her hands.

Mark AntonyMark Antony Born Marcus Antonius in 83 BC Born Marcus Antonius in 83 BC

in Rome.in Rome.

Father died at an early age, Father died at an early age, leaving him and his brothers leaving him and his brothers with his mother Julia. He was with his mother Julia. He was 2nd cousin of Julius Caesar.2nd cousin of Julius Caesar.

With very little guidance, they With very little guidance, they were considered rebels for their were considered rebels for their time. time.

By the age of 20 he was heavily By the age of 20 he was heavily in debt and fled to Greece in debt and fled to Greece

After a short time studying in After a short time studying in Athens he became a member of Athens he became a member of Caesar’s army.Caesar’s army.

Mark AntonyMark Antony Mark Antony ultimately became Mark Antony ultimately became

Caesar’s “Master of the Horse”, Caesar’s “Master of the Horse”, his right hand man.his right hand man.

After Caesar’s death Mark Antony After Caesar’s death Mark Antony set out for Egypt. set out for Egypt.

He wanted Cleopatra for Egypt’s He wanted Cleopatra for Egypt’s wealth and she wanted him for the wealth and she wanted him for the Roman Armies under his control. Roman Armies under his control.

Mark Antony was married 4 times.Mark Antony was married 4 times.

His last marriage was to Octavia, His last marriage was to Octavia, sister of Octavian who later Ruled sister of Octavian who later Ruled Rome and was known as Rome and was known as AugustusAugustus

Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra

They meet nearly 3 years after Julius Caesar’s death.They meet nearly 3 years after Julius Caesar’s death.

Antony Summons Cleopatra to Tarsus to discuss her possibly funding his Antony Summons Cleopatra to Tarsus to discuss her possibly funding his enemies.enemies.

She arrives on a lavishly gilded barge with Purple sails and dressed as She arrives on a lavishly gilded barge with Purple sails and dressed as Venus. Antony is so enthralled that he spends the winter in Alexandria and Venus. Antony is so enthralled that he spends the winter in Alexandria and forgets about his responsibilities.forgets about his responsibilities.

6 months after Antony returns to Rome, Cleopatra gives birth to twins.6 months after Antony returns to Rome, Cleopatra gives birth to twins.

(http://www.Royalty.nu/Africa/Egypt/Cleopatra.html)

Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra They do not see each other for 4 They do not see each other for 4

years, once they reunite they years, once they reunite they remain together and marry even remain together and marry even though Antony is still married to though Antony is still married to Octavia..Octavia..

Cleopatra and Antony live a Cleopatra and Antony live a lavish lifestyle and name lavish lifestyle and name themselves as gods.themselves as gods.

The people Rome are outraged The people Rome are outraged by their behavior and war is by their behavior and war is called on Egypt. called on Egypt.

When Octavian arrives the When Octavian arrives the Egyptian army joins forces with Egyptian army joins forces with him.him.

Mark Antony’s DeathMark Antony’s Death

After being defeated and felt of being betrayed by his consuming love After being defeated and felt of being betrayed by his consuming love for Cleopatra, he falls on his sword and eventually dies on her bed.for Cleopatra, he falls on his sword and eventually dies on her bed.

After a royal burial for Mark Antony, Cleopatra was determined to die. After a royal burial for Mark Antony, Cleopatra was determined to die.

Cleopatra’s DeathCleopatra’s Death Because she no longer Because she no longer

wanted to live, Octavian wanted to live, Octavian had guards watching had guards watching over her. Being very over her. Being very clever she had an Asp clever she had an Asp placed into a basket of placed into a basket of figs that was being figs that was being delivered. delivered.

She wrote a note to She wrote a note to Octavian begging to be Octavian begging to be buried in Mark Antony’s buried in Mark Antony’s tomb.tomb.

By the time he received By the time he received the note and arrived she the note and arrived she was already gonewas already gone

As she wished, she was As she wished, she was buried beside Mark buried beside Mark Antony and last Pharoh Antony and last Pharoh of Egypt had reignedof Egypt had reigned

Probably the mostWidely recognizedPortrayal of CleopatraWas by Elizabeth Taylor In 1963.

Shakespeare’s take on Shakespeare’s take on HistoryHistory

Antony and Cleopatra was Antony and Cleopatra was very historically correct very historically correct concerning most of the concerning most of the political battles that political battles that occurred during the 10 year occurred during the 10 year period this was meant to period this was meant to portray.portray.

Shakespeare’s primary Shakespeare’s primary source for information was source for information was from Plutarch’s from Plutarch’s Lives of the Lives of the Noble Grecians and RomansNoble Grecians and Romans, , which was translated by Sir which was translated by Sir Thomas North in 1579.Thomas North in 1579.

Many passages were quoted Many passages were quoted directly from this text directly from this text without change.without change.

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s EmbellishmentsEmbellishments

Cleopatra was portrayed as very strong, Cleopatra was portrayed as very strong, extremely beautiful and irresistible. extremely beautiful and irresistible.

Octavius Caesar views the Pharaoh and Octavius Caesar views the Pharaoh and Queen of Egypt as little more than a dramatic Queen of Egypt as little more than a dramatic whore.whore.

Antony, while a Roman Hero was portrayed as Antony, while a Roman Hero was portrayed as totally blinded by love .totally blinded by love .

Octavia is portrayed as a healer of sorts Octavia is portrayed as a healer of sorts between the two men, Antony and Octavius between the two men, Antony and Octavius Caesar.Caesar.