Cleopatra — Vocabulary Study

people who support a person or cause

"Unfortunately, her brother's supporters forced Cleopatra to flee Egypt."

matters relating to formal government or public business

"Caesar had come to visit her brother on official matters and was staying in the palace."

to use an opportunity or situation to benefit oneself

"Cleopatra, now 21, decided to take advantage of her brother's mistake by allying herself with Caesar."

joining or uniting with another person or group for mutual benefit

"Cleopatra decided to take advantage of her brother's mistake by allying herself with Caesar."

a thick woven fabric floor covering; here, a rolled-up rug used to sneak inside

"She was able to get to Caesar by having herself rolled up in a carpet and carried into Caesar's room."

clever or cunning tricks used to persuade or attract someone

"There, with her beauty and feminine wiles, she captivated Caesar and they became lovers."

attracted and held the complete interest and attention of someone; charmed

"With her beauty and feminine wiles, she captivated Caesar and they became lovers."

at the last possible moment, before it would be too late

"However, the Roman army arrived just in time to save them."

being the only one; single and exclusive

"Afterwards, Cleopatra became the sole ruler of Egypt."

treating someone with disrespect or offense

"The leaders in Rome felt that Caesar was insulting his Roman wife with his open affair with Cleopatra."

a romantic relationship conducted publicly, without being hidden

"The leaders in Rome felt that Caesar was insulting his Roman wife with his open affair with Cleopatra."

murdered, especially an important political figure, often for political reasons

"In the summer of 44 B.C., while Cleopatra was in Rome living in Caesar's country house, Julius Caesar was assassinated."

a person's chief and most trusted assistant

"After Caesar's death, his nephew, Octavian, and Caesar's right-hand man, Marc Antony, became co-rulers of Rome."

beaten in a battle, contest, or war

"Octavian decided to take sole power of Rome, so he took an army to Egypt and defeated Marc Antony."

capable of causing illness or death through venom or toxins

"She also managed to commit suicide from the bite of a poisonous snake."

caught and taken prisoner or under someone's control

"But her son with Julius Caesar, Caesarion, was captured and killed."