Cleopatra lived from 69 BC to 30 BC in ancient Egypt. Her full name was Cleopatra VII Philopator and she was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. The name Cleopatra comes from the Greek name Κλεοπάτρα (Kleopatra) which means "she who comes from the glorious father" or "glory of the father". She was a member of the Ptolemy dynasty and was the seventh person from that dynasty to be named Cleopatra. She was a daughter of Ptolemy XII. The Ptolemies were not of Egyptian origin but were Macedonian Greeks. Cleopatra also had two brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. As was the custom in ancient Egypt, daughters and sons of the ruling family often married. This was how they could continue to control and rule Egypt for many generations within the same royal family. Ultimately, Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII, died in 51 BC. When he died, he wanted the throne to pass to Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. As a result, Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII married and ruled Egypt together. Cleopatra was determined to rule alone and her brother's guardians knew it. As a result, they revolted against her and forced her to leave Alexandria in 49 BC. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Cleopatra, who still wanted to rule Egypt on her own, so decided to come up with a plan to create a relationship with Julius Caesar, a Roman ruler. , to help him achieve this. In 48 BC, Cleopatra impressed Caesar, not because of her beauty, but most likely because of the audacity of her plan to approach him for help in seizing power and ruling Egypt. It may also have helped that Cleopatra was one of, if not the richest, richest women in the world at the time. In 47 BC, Cleopatra became Caesar's mistress and Caesar used his army to defeat his ruling brother, Ptolemy XIII. Caesar then made Cleopatra and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIV, the new rulers of Egypt. A year later, Cleopatra gives birth to Caesar's child, whom they name Ptolemy Caesar but also Caesarion. Cleopatra joins Caesar in Rome with their son and his brother Ptolemy XIV. In 44 BC, Caesar was assassinated because his enemies in the Senate saw him becoming too powerful. Shortly after, Cleopatra left Rome and returned to Egypt with her son and brother. Shortly after, his brother, Ptolemy XIV, died of poisoning. Many believe that this poisoning was ordered by Cleopatra so that she could make her son, Caesarion, a co-ruler as Ptolemy XV. In 42 BC, Mark Antony, leader of the Roman forces, wanted to attack the Persian Empire and asked Cleopatra to join him. him. He did this because he needed her help, both financial and military. Cleopatra, having lost the protection provided by Caesar, needed another Roman leader to protect her. They form a partnership and she aids Mark Antony in his battles and provides protection for his continued rule over Egypt. She even had Mark Antony send orders for her younger sister, Arsinoe, to be killed in Rome, as she was a rival for his throne. Eventually, Mark Antony and Cleopatra have twins, a boy named Alexander Helios and a girl named Cleopatra Selene. In 37 BC, Marc Antony married Cleopatra in Antioch. At this time, Mark Antony and Julius Caesar's adopted son Octavian are fighting to rule the Romans while attempting to expand the Roman Empire. Over the next few years, their relationship deteriorated more and more. In 31 BC, they ended up fighting at the Battle of Actium. The forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra.