23 interesting facts about Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt, is an undeniably iconic figure in world history. Known for her political acumen, her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and her tragic death, she has been a source of endless fascination for more than two millennia. Immortalised in numerous plays, films, and works of art, the allure of Cleopatra continues to captivate us. Let’s delve into the intriguing world of this legendary queen with some lesser-known facts about her life and reign.

1. Cleopatra was not Egyptian by ethnicity; she was actually of Greek descent and was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great.
2. She was the first Ptolemaic ruler who learned to speak Egyptian, in addition to speaking Greek and several other languages.
3. Cleopatra was reportedly highly educated and studied subjects like alchemy, history, medicine, and global economics.
4. She reportedly had a ‘melting’ pearl that she drank at a banquet to demonstrate her wealth and power.
5. Cleopatra wasn’t traditionally beautiful, according to ancient accounts; rather, her charm and intellect were her most appealing qualities.
6. She had four known siblings: three brothers and one sister.
7. Cleopatra was known to have had four children: Caesarion, with Julius Caesar, and Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene, and Ptolemy Philadelphus, with Mark Antony.
8. Cleopatra was an author who wrote about cosmetics, pharmacology, and weight loss.
9. Cleopatra became co-ruler of Egypt at the age of 18.
10. She was the last active pharaoh of Egypt and her death marked the end of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Kingdom.
11. The cause of Cleopatra’s death is believed to be a bite from an asp (Egyptian cobra), although no definitive historical proof exists.
12. Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s tomb has never been found, despite centuries of searching.
13. During her lifetime, Rome was a republic, but Cleopatra’s death indirectly led to Egypt becoming a province of the newly-formed Roman Empire.
14. Cleopatra wasn’t just a queen but was also declared a ‘Goddess’ by her people.
15. She is one of the most famous female rulers in history and her reign is known as the Cleopatra era.
16. Cleopatra reportedly had a hand in the deaths of three of her siblings.
17. She had a son named Caesarion, or “little Caesar,” with Julius Caesar.
18. Cleopatra once lived in Rome with Julius Caesar, until his assassination in 44 BC.
19. She committed suicide at the age of 39, just weeks after Mark Antony took his own life.
20. Cleopatra was reportedly rolled up in a carpet (or a sack) and smuggled into Julius Caesar’s private quarters, marking the beginning of their alliance and affair.
21. She has been played by Elizabeth Taylor in one of the most expensive film productions ever, ‘Cleopatra’ (1963).
22. Cleopatra was reportedly highly persuasive and used her intelligence and charm to turn enemies into allies.
23. While Cleopatra and Julius Caesar never married, they maintained a close alliance until his death.

The life of Cleopatra was filled with drama, political manoeuvring, and personal tragedies that have captured the imagination of people throughout history. Her reign saw the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty and the beginning of Roman dominion over Egypt. Her fascinating, if somewhat dramatised, relationships with two of Rome’s most famous figures, her dedication to Egypt, her intelligence, and her understanding of power dynamics all contributed to her enduring legacy. The impact she left continues to be seen in the way she has been depicted in various forms of media, confirming her status as one of history’s most memorable figures.

Cleopatra VII, the last queen of Egypt, is an undeniably iconic figure in world history. Known for her political acumen, her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and her tragic death, she has been a source of endless fascination for more than two millennia. Immortalised in numerous plays,…