Cleopatra VII ruled Egypt as co-regent (first with her father, then with her two younger brothers, and finally her son) for almost three decades. She was born either 70 or 69 BCE. She was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes, a descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great’s generals, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty

Dynastic problems resulted in Cleopatra fleeing Egypt for Syria in 49 BCE. One year later, having raised an army, she attacked and won the battle of Pelusium, on Egypt’s eastern border. Meanwhile, the Roman general Pompey, landed in Egypt. He was murdered on landing. Ptolemy XIII, playing Roman-against-Roman allowed Pompey’s rival Caesar to land in Egypt. Cleopatra, to further her claim to the throne, sought Caesar’s aid by having herself smuggled into the palace to plead her case. Legend claims Cleopatra entered Caesar’s private quarters rolled within a carpet. This act is often seen as a ‘romantic’ gesture. No, the act was a calculated political gesture

Caesar was desperate for money, he marched to Alexandria and defeated Pompey’s troops. Yes, he restored Cleopatra to the throne

There is a romantic twist to the meeting of Cleopatra and Caesar. About the year 47 BCE, Cleopatra gave birth to a son, named Ptolemy Caesar, often referred to by Egyptians as Caesarion or Little Caesar

Sometime in 46-45 BCE, Cleopatra travelled with Caesarion to Rome. She was in Rome on the day of Caesar’s assassination

Caesar’s death resulted in civil war. Mark Antony, Octavian (Caesar’s nephew), and Lepidus, the second triumvirate, were arrayed against Brutus and Cassius, the assassins. Roman troops stationed in Egypt supported Antony and Octavian, winning the battle at Philippi. Antony and Octavian co-shared rule

Roman politics were acutely complicated post-Caesar’s assignation. Antony now associated himself with Cleopatra. In turn, the Roman Senate stripped him of all titles. Octavian perceiving a challenge, defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the naval battle of Actium, the western coast of Greece. Antony hearing post-battle, Cleopatra had committed suicide, also committed suicide. Antony fell on his sword at the same moment word arrived the rumour had been revealed false

Cleopatra returned to Egypt and buried Antony. She met Octavian the victor. Then, she entombed herself in the same vault as Antony. Caesarion, age 16, was murdered shortly after his mother’s death