The Death of Cleopatra - Murder or Suicide
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was murdered. The circumstances surrounding her death have been the subject of great debate for many years and will likely continue to be controversial until more physical evidence is discovered. At this point her mummy has never been found and many questions still remain unanswered about her death. Historians argue that she either committed suicide during a point of extreme sadness after the death of her beloved husband, Mark Antony, or was murdered by one of her many enemies. Her beauty, intelligence, charisma and power weren’t favored by everyone that knew her and made her a target of hatred.
The name Cleopatra was given to many princesses of the Ptolemies, the Greek family who ruled Egypt for three-hundred years. Cleopatra was the seventh in the Ptolemy dynasty and the rumored favorite daughter of Ptolemy XII. Though she was not an Egyptian, she was the queen of Egypt and last of the Macedonian Greek dynasty. Also, she was the only one in her family that learned the original Egyptian language and knew at least six different languages, which was unusual for women in that era.
Cleopatra started her rule over Egypt at a very young age in the year 51 B.C. She was only eighteen and shared her rule with her half-brother Plotemy XIII, who was only ten years old at the time. As was customary during this time, Ptolemy XIII also became Cleopatra's husband. The Pharaohs typically married their siblings to ensure that the rulership never leaves a royal family. Their marriage was only a formality because they were both so young.
Cleopatra was a strong, beautiful, powerful, determined, and ambitious young woman which was unusual behavior for that time. She wanted to see Egypt return to what it had once been and had plans for her country. Her brother Plotemy had three advisors named Photinos, Achillas, and Theodotus that didn't believe that Cleopatra could be an effective leader and wanted to see her driven out of the country. She tried to
The name Cleopatra was given to many princesses of the Ptolemies, the Greek family who ruled Egypt for three-hundred years. Cleopatra was the seventh in the Ptolemy dynasty and the rumored favorite daughter of Ptolemy XII. Though she was not an Egyptian, she was the queen of Egypt and last of the Macedonian Greek dynasty. Also, she was the only one in her family that learned the original Egyptian language and knew at least six different languages, which was unusual for women in that era.
Cleopatra started her rule over Egypt at a very young age in the year 51 B.C. She was only eighteen and shared her rule with her half-brother Plotemy XIII, who was only ten years old at the time. As was customary during this time, Ptolemy XIII also became Cleopatra's husband. The Pharaohs typically married their siblings to ensure that the rulership never leaves a royal family. Their marriage was only a formality because they were both so young.
Cleopatra was a strong, beautiful, powerful, determined, and ambitious young woman which was unusual behavior for that time. She wanted to see Egypt return to what it had once been and had plans for her country. Her brother Plotemy had three advisors named Photinos, Achillas, and Theodotus that didn't believe that Cleopatra could be an effective leader and wanted to see her driven out of the country. She tried to