Cleopatra

I assume she looked better NOT as a statue.

I believe the name Cleopatra is fairly common. For the most part, people know she's Egyptian, lived a long time ago, walked like the people in those paintings, and was likely somewhat of a babe. I hardly knew much more than that either, and realistically I know hardly any more now - but, true to this blog's purpose, I know enough information that if a kid came up and asked me "hey, what the heck was Cleopatra all about?" I could give him a quick run-down on a few important things she did, hopefully opening the door for him to read more in depth on his own time. Good enough for me.

Anyways, like most leaders way back when, she came to power through lineage. Meritocracy wasn't really a thing back then. She came to power when she was only fourteen years old, the leadership falling to her and her younger, ten year old brother Ptolemy XIII through a number of deaths (assassinations, likely) that placed her as the next in line. At the time, Egyptian rulers were joint monarchs, one a man and one a woman, and the power was meant to be at least somewhat shared, although favouring the man.

Cleopatra, almost wearing a shirt.

The first three years of her rule were difficult; economic issues, a lack of food, the floods of the Nile and political strife plagued her lands, and in lack of a better term, crap was hitting the fan. She felt it was her time to really take control, not needing the help of her younger brother. She began to sign only her name on official documents and had her face on the coins - basically saying she was the one ruler. This was all well and good until the arguments that arose with the Gabiniani, Roman soldiers placed in Rome. At the time, Egypt was connected to the Roman Empire and had to bow down to their rule as they saw fit. The problems began to occur when the Roman governor of Syria sent his sons to ask for assistance in a war, which resulted in a very literal "killing the messenger" type response from the Gabiniani, despite the fact that they were Roman as well. Cleopatra got word of this, captured the murderers, and handed them over in chains to the governor. This, however, displeased Rome as locking up their soldiers, regardless of what cause, typically makes them a little cranky. The result was a fall from power for Cleopatra, forcing her to flee, leaving the power in Ptolemy XIII's small, childish hands.

During her absence, the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey was reaching its end. Pompey, having his armies defeated and thus on the run from Caesar, travelled to Egypt basically to lay low for a while and possibly rebuild. Expecting to be welcomed with open arms, being a Roman and all, he was most likely somewhat surprised when Ptolemy III had his head lopped off in front of his wife and kids. Now, the relationship with Caesar and Pompey was rather complicated - yes they were at war, but Caesar was traditionally quite merciful, and did not wish Pompey any harm. He was furious at the assassination at his friend (in all fairness, I wouldn't have guessed that either if I was Ptolemy III) and demanded that the murderer find the same beheaded fate as his dear, warring friend. Tensions were high between Ptolemy III and Caesar.

The death of Cleopatra. Her servants, evidently,
were shot. Dramatically. I believe this is the first
painted case of overacting. 

Cleopatra recognized the opportunity and decided to take advantage - she had herself smuggled into Caesar's chambers, apparently by being rolled up into a rug, and decided to, well, woo him. Caesar being a middle aged man and Cleopatra being young and all good looking and such, she quickly became his mistress. This was quite the scandal as Caesar was married back home. She eventually had a son with Caesar of which they named Caesarian, meaning "little Caesar". Aww... adorable. Having pleased Caesar in ways that Ptolemy just couldn't do, he decided to back Cleopatra's claim to the throne. In a war between the two previously joint monarchs, Ptolemy was defeated and left to drown in the Nile. Poor guy just had the wrong gender. As a result, she established Caesarian as her co-regent and successor to the throne.

Unfortunately for her, down went Caesar at the hands of Brutus and his crew way back in Rome. The result was a civil war (again) that led to the sides of Brutus and Mark Antony, with the backing of Octavian, the heir of Caesar, to war it out. Antony, stationing himself in Egypt, became quite taken with Cleopatra. She pledged loyalty to him, and gave birth to twins. This all occurred while Antony was married to Octavian's sister... whoops. Basically Cleopatra was in a lot of ways a home-wrecker. Naturally, this put a bit of stress on the relationship of Octavian and Antony, as cheating on one's sister is usually worthy of an argument or two - especially when he's so bloody brazen about it. Antony eventually married Cleopatra, and Octavian eventually went to war with Antony. Of course it was over a heck of a lot more than just Cleopatra, but she definitely played a part. Antony was eventually defeated, and knowing that, he committed suicide. Cleopatra followed suit, and the most likely manner in which she died was she allowed an asp to bite her. They're poisonous. I believe you most likely have figured that out.

 Since, Cleopatra has been modernized as a slutty costume for Halloween. A wonderful legacy.

Famous Historical Figures Say the Darndest Things!

1. "Her beauty, as we are told, was in itself not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her; but converse with her had an irresistible charm, and her presence, combined with the persuasiveness of her discourse and the character which was somehow diffused about her behaviour towards others, had something stimulating about it. There was sweetness also in the tones of her voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings, she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased..." This is from Plutarch, a Greek historian. Uh... I guess he's saying she wasn't that hot, but had a charm about her. 
2. "Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed." The words of a French theologian, saying if her face was a different face the face of the world would be a different face.
3. "All strange and terrible events are welcome; but comforts we despise, our size of sorrow; proportion'd to our cause, must be great." From the play Antony and Cleopatra. Even the great Egyptian leader is not immune to the boredoms of Shakespeare.