Unit 05
Cleopatra: Power, Beauty, Intelligence, Wiles, and Charm
[based on actual events]
Getting Started

Cleopatra's lovers were two of the most powerful men that ever lived, making Cleopatra the most powerful woman in the world, possibly in history. Not only was Cleopatra powerful, she was beautiful and highly educated, speaking 9 languages fluently.

In her early years, Cleopatra, 18, was made co-ruler of Egypt with her 10 year old brother after their father died. Cleopatra, however, did not want to share power. Unfortunately, her brother's supporters forced Cleopatra to flee Egypt.

Around 49 B.C., however, Cleopatra's brother made a serious mistake. He angered the most powerful man in the world, Julius Caesar, by cutting off the head of Caesar's friend. Caesar had come to visit her brother on official matters and was staying in the palace.

Cleopatra, now 21, decided to take advantage of her brother's mistake by allying herself with Caesar. However, Cleopatra had to find some way of getting past her brother's soldiers and into the palace. She was able to get to Caesar by having herself rolled up in a carpet and carried into Caesar's room. There, with her beauty and feminine wiles, she captivated Caesar and they became lovers.

When the army of Cleopatra's brother attacked her and Caesar, they became trapped inside the palace. However, the Roman army arrived just in time to save them. Afterwards, Cleopatra became the sole ruler of Egypt. Later, Cleopatra had a son by Caesar.

The leaders in Rome were jealous of Caesar's power, and also felt that Caesar was insulting his Roman wife with his open affair with Cleopatra. In the summer of 44 B.C., while Cleopatra was in Rome living in Caesar's country house, Julius Caesar was assassinated. Cleopatra fled back to Egypt.

After Caesar's death, his nephew, Octavian, and Caesar's right-hand man, Marc Antony, became co-rulers of Rome. Marc Antony was also Octavian's brother-in-law.

Later, Antony met Cleopatra and fell in love. Antony left his Roman wife behind, and with his army, moved to Egypt to be with Cleopatra where they married and lived for many years. They had twins, and later, a third child.

Octavian decided to take sole power of Rome, so he took an army to Egypt and defeated Marc Antony. Marc Antony, having no place to run, committed suicide and died in Cleopatra's arms. Cleopatra was taken prisoner by Octavian, but she also managed to commit suicide from the bite of a poisonous snake. She was 39 years old.

Octavian allowed Antony and Cleopatra's three children to live, but her son with Julius Caesar, Caesarion, was captured and killed. Octavian became the first Roman emperor.

Comprehension Questions
  1. Describe Cleopatra.
  2. Why did Cleopatra flee Egypt soon after gaining power?
  3. What serious mistake did Cleopatra's brother make?
  4. How did Cleopatra take advantage of her brother's mistake?
  5. How did Cleopatra become the sole ruler of Egypt?
  6. Why was Julius Caesar assassinated? What did Cleopatra do?
  7. When Antony fell in love with Cleopatra, what did he do?
  8. Why did Octavian attack Marc Antony?
  9. When Marc Antony was defeated, what did he do?
  10. When Cleopatra was taken prisoner by Octavian, what did she do?
Discussion
  1. You are King or Queen of the world. What changes would you make? What new laws would you enact?
  2. What other advantages might you have as a Queen/King?