WebCleopatra, who had been exiled by her brother, was reinstalled as queen with Roman military support.

After Caesar was murdered in March 44 B.C.,Cleopatra went back to Egypt; Ptolemy XIV was killed soon after (possibly by Cleopatras agents) and the three-year-old Caesarion was named co-regent with his mother, as Ptolemy XV. Historical accounts state that while Cleopatra was married to her younger brother and co-regent, she also married Caesar because Egyptian laws at the time allowed for polygamy. Although named after his father, Caesarions claim to Rome is never acknowledged by Julius Caesar. When it comes to historically famous women who held power of queenly proportions in their hands, Cleopatra is by far one of the most well-known, though her accomplishments seem to constantly be overshadowed by her reputed beauty. After separating from his wife Octavia (sister of Octavian), Antony meets Cleopatra in Syria and the pair are said to have married. She was accommodated in Caesars private villa beyond the Tiber River and may have been present to witness the dedication of a golden statue of herself in the temple of Venus Genetrix, the ancestress of the Julian family to which Caesar belonged. For example, at ceremonial events she would appear dressed as the goddess Isis: it was common for Egyptian rulers to identify themselves with an established deity. This statue head is thought to represent Caesarion, the alleged child of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Augustus would have liked to lead Cleopatra as a captive through Rome, as other generals did with their prisoners, in the formal triumphs that celebrated their victories. Cleopatra VII ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her father, then with her two younger brothers and finally with her son) for almost three decades. so many ancient Egyptian statues have broken noses. While the rest of Rome was trying to put one foot in front of the other after Caesars death, Octavian was systematically figuring out who was a threat to his inheritance. Cleopatra buried Antony and then committed suicide. It took Caesar two years to extinguish the last flames of Pompeian opposition. Ptolemy's advisers conspired against Cleopatra, forcing her to leave Egypt (via Live Science). Their relationship had a political componentCleopatra needed Antony to protect her crown and maintain Egypts independence, while Antony needed access to Egypts riches and resourcesbut they were also famously fond of each others company. So from birth, little Caesarion carried two heavy weights on his shoulders: he was allegedly the only biological son of the most powerful man in Rome, as well as the heir to a 300-year-old kingdom and 3,000-year-old civilization that served as the breadbasket of the Mediterranean. Cleopatra was hailed as queen of kings, Caesarion as king of kings. She had her brother Ptolemy XIV poisoned with aconite and replaced him with her son, Ptolemy XV Caesarion. WebAfter raising an army, Cleopatra returns to face her brother at Pelusium, on Egypts eastern border. In the Egyptian scheme of things Pharoahs marry a sister to ensure the rulership never leaves the royal family. Caesar was dazzled by the sight of the young queen in her royal garb, and the two soon became allies and lovers. Cleopatra personally led several dozen Egyptian warships into the fray alongside Antonys fleet, but they were no match for Octavians navy. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus soon divided Roman territories between them. She married Mark Antony in 32 BC. Antony had already left Alexandria to return to Italy, where he was forced to conclude a temporary settlement with Octavian. Updated: April 26, 2021 | Original: November 9, 2009. Born in 70 or 69 B.C., Cleopatra was a daughter of Ptolemy XII (Auletes), a descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander The Greats generals and the founder of the Ptolemaic line in Egypt. Poor Caesarion did not develop much of a relationship with his father, though there is some evidence that Caesar acknowledged him as his own flesh and blood. Although her brother had barred her from entering Alexandria, legend has it that a servant rolled her up in a carpet and smuggled her back into the palace. According to her wishes, Cleopatras body was buried with Antonys, leaving Octavian (later Emperor Augustus I) to celebrate his conquest of Egypt and his consolidation of power in Rome. Warrior Women: Who Were the Gladiatrices of Ancient Rome? But 250 years then passed before Cleopatra was born 12 generations, with all their love affairs and secret assignations. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair. Cleopatra didnt die for love. In true pharaonic tradition, which aimed to keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, Cleopatra married her younger brother and co-ruler, but it soon became clear that she had no intention of sharing power with him. Evidence shows that the first decree in which Ptolemys name precedes Cleopatras was in October of 50 bce. Caesar enforced Ptolemy XII's will, which clearly stated that brother and sister would rule together. Cleopatra then remarried after the death of her brother during battle. Cleopatra believed herself to be incarnate of the goddess Isis and used this notion to her advantage. Antony, who equated himself with the god Dionysus, was captivated. Octavian declared Egypt a province of Rome, and Caesarion became a forgotten footnote in the annals of ancient history.

In true pharaonic tradition, which aimed to keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, Cleopatra married her younger brother and co-ruler, but it soon became clear that she had no intention of sharing power with him. Their marriage devolved into the worst kind of sibling rivalry. What Happened During Europes Last Deadly Plague? From the makers of HistoryExtra, try 6 issues of BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed for just 9.99 + FREE access to HistoryExtra (including ad the free Podcast) worth 34.99. Cleopatra is about 18 years old and had ruled for a short time as a co-regent with her father. Cleopatra fled to Syria to marshal her own forces. WATCH: Digging for the Truth: Cleopatra, the Last Pharaoh on HISTORY Vault. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. If inflation is taken into account, Cleopatra remains one of the priciest movies in history even today. Cleopatra persuaded her servant to wrap her in a carpet and present her to the Roman general. Of course, Cleopatra wasn't the only person ruling Egypt. Cleopatra and Ptolemy marry. The means of her death is uncertain, but Plutarch and other writers advanced the theory that she used a poisonous snake known as the asp, a symbol of divine royalty, to commit suicide at age 39. WebPtolemy XIII is Cleopatra's ten-year old brother. This article was first published on HistoryExtra in April 2015 and has been updated with content published in BBC History Revealed in 2014. She was also multilingual historical accounts report her speaking between 5 and 9 languages, including her native Greek, Egyptian, Arabic and Hebrew. Cleopatra: what is the real legacy of the last pharaoh? In 44 B.C., at just three years old, Caesarion was declared Ptolemy XV, a co-king alongside his mother. Sheila Ager, a professor at the University of Waterloo and a Ptolemaic expert, wrote in "All in the Family: Incest and the Ptolemaic Dynasty" that there are various reasons behind this decision. In Alexandria, Cleopatra and Antony formed a society of inimitable livers whose members lived what some historians have interpreted as a life of debauchery and folly and others have interpreted as lives dedicated to the cult of the mystical god Dionysus. Cleopatra returned to Egypt, followed shortly thereafter by Antony, who left behind his third wife, Fulvia, and their children in Rome. During her rule between 5130 BC, she brought peace and prosperity to a country that had been bankrupt and split by civil war. Born c69 BC, Cleopatra was the third of a possible six children, all of whom shared a common father, Ptolemy XII. Mary Hamer is the author of Signs of Cleopatra: Reading an Icon Historically (Liverpool University Press, 2008). Did you know? She raised an army of mercenaries and returned the following year to face her brothers forces in a civil war at Pelusium, on Egypts eastern border. Antonys rival Octavian used propaganda to portray him as a traitor under the sway of a scheming seductress, and in 32 B.C., the Roman Senate declared war on Cleopatra. Ptolemy XIII was her brother and even younger than her former husband, making this her second marriage to a brother. In the days between Cleopatra's death and Octavian's formal annexation of Egypt, her 16-year-old son Caesarion was officially sole ruler. After burying him, the 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own life, though how is uncertain. Antony needed Cleopatra's location and riches, and the Ptolemaic queen needed Roman support to solidify her uneasy claim to the throne. Here are 10 facts about Cleopatra, the legendary Queen of the Nile. Ager argues that perhaps the Ptolemies practiced incest to honor Egyptian royal traditions. WebOriginally Answered: Did Cleopatra married her brothers as stated in Wikipedia? Under her rule, Egypt was the richest nation in the Mediterranean and the last to remain independent from the rapidly expanding Roman Empire. In 44 B.C. WebPtolemy XIII is Cleopatra's ten-year old brother. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Cleopatra fled to Syria to marshal her own forces. Elite Romans were meant to share power, but Caesar seemed to want to be supreme, like a monarch. Smithsonian Magazine explains how these events unfolded. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. Plutarch, the Greek biographer of Mark Antony, claimed it wasnt so much her looks that were so compelling, but her conversation and her intelligence. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair. Mark Antony soon summoned Cleopatra to the Cicilian city of Tarsus (south of modern Turkey) to explain the role she had played in the complicated aftermath of Caesars assassination. Cause of death: Took her own life, possibly with poison. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Today we know that at least one child in 10 is not attributed to their correct biological father Mommas baby, Poppas maybe, as they say. The boys sister, Cleopatra Selene, was to be ruler of Cyrene. From Cleopatra to Catherine de Medici, women in power receive very different criticisms to men. Please select which sections you would like to print: Alternate titles: Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester. Per Smithsonian Magazine, she is remembered for her influence and power as afemale pharaoh and seductress. She gave birth to another Ptolemy Cleopatras only known grandchild. Still, unreliable flooding of the Nile resulted in failing crops, leading to inflation and hunger.

They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. When she was 15, she married King Juba II of Numidia. The Egyptian capital Alexandria, the seat of Ptolemaic power, was a thriving cultural centre, attracting scholars, artists and philosophers from all over the world. Entering Alexandria as an unpopular conqueror, Caesar restored the throne to the equally unpopular Cleopatra and her younger brother Ptolemy XIV (then 13 years old). WebNo views 5 minutes ago #cleopatra #marriage #brother Learn about why the Egyptian Pharaoh Queen Cleopatra married both of her brothers! A third child, Ptolemy Philadelphus, is born the following year. In 41 B.C., she also engineered the execution of her sister, Arsinoe, who she considered a rival to the throne. Octavian had Caesarion killed so hed have no competition for Romes throne. In order to help her cause, Cleopatra sought Caesars support, reportedly smuggling herself into the royal palace to plead her case with him. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images, Cleopatra: Early Life and Ascension to Throne, Digging for the Truth: Cleopatra, the Last Pharaoh on HISTORY Vault, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-egypt/cleopatra. Several of her ancestors kept it in the royal family. They again became lovers, and Cleopatra gave birth to another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos, in 36 B.C. Field of the Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy at Work. Cleopatra believed herself to be a living goddess, and she often used clever stagecraft to woo potential allies and reinforce her divine status. Cleopatra VII ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her father, then with her two younger brothers and finally with her son) for almost three decades. Cleopatra fled to Syria but knew that Caesar, who happened to be visiting her former palace, could help her win back the throne. Cleopatra was born into royalty, inherited a throne, and lived a life that has left statues and stories thousands of years old, but that sort of historical fame doesn't come easily.

After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair.

WebNo views 5 minutes ago #cleopatra #marriage #brother Learn about why the Egyptian Pharaoh Queen Cleopatra married both of her brothers! Legend has it that she encouraged a snake to bite her. Antony and Cleopatra spent the winter of 3231 bce in Greece. By this point, Cleopatra had strongly identified herself with the goddess Isis, the sister-wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. He is brought to Cleopatras hiding place where he soon dies. Moreover, they likely practiced incest to avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with. Before his death, he declares that Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII are to co-rule. Soon after her return to Alexandria, in 44 bce, Cleopatras coruler, Ptolemy XIV, died. The battle soon devolved into a rout, and Cleopatra and Antony were forced to break through the Roman line and flee to Egypt. Within months, Ptolemy XIIIs name had been dropped from official documents and Cleopatras face appeared alone on coins. The only member of her house to learn Egyptian, she was said to be a popular ruler. Using his troops to regain Egypt was now out of the question, as was staying in Rome. She learned the Egyptian language and commissioned portraits of herself in the traditional Egyptian style. Octavian spread the rumor that Antony intended to divide the eastern portion of Rome and disperse it amongst his kids with Cleopatra and Caesarion, whom Antony dubbed Caesars legitimate heir. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Each was determined to use the other. However, the historical record seems to show that out of Cleopatra's four children, not a single one was sired by her brothers. Upon Ptolemy XIIIs death after being defeated by her Roman-Egyptian armies, Cleopatra married his younger brother Ptolemy XIV. Live Science reports that Ptolemy XII's will stipulated that the two should marry and rule together. Meet Caesarion, Caesar And Cleopatras Love Child Who Never Stood A Chance. Ironically, the iconic Egyptian leader was not Egyptian; her family, the Ptolemies, had Macedonian Greek origins.

Caesar was to arbitrate a peace conference between the warring siblings. Posted on April 6, 2023 by . Antony, now controller of Romes eastern territories, sent for Cleopatra so that she might explain her role in the aftermath of Caesars assassination. After her death, the Roman emperor Augustus lured Caesarion back with promises of power, only to have him killed. Naturally, future generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society's priorities are nothing if not backward. Roman propaganda painted Cleopatra as a debauched temptress who used her sex appeal as a political weapon, but she may have been more renowned for her intellect than her appearance. Britannica reports that Ptolemy XIII decided to leave Alexandria but drowned in the Nile. The Reason Cleopatra Married Her Brothers, All in the Family: Incest and the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Not surprisingly, Cleopatra had been much disliked in a city that had got rid of its kings, for shed insisted on being addressed as queen. She had Caesarion, her eldest son, represented on the temple wall at Dendera alongside her, as sharing her rule. Her origins trace back to the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Macedonian Greek royal family. She was said to have written scientific books and, in the words of the historian Al-Masudi: She was a sage, a philosopher, who elevated the ranks of scholars and enjoyed their company. Antony needed Cleopatras financial support for his postponed Parthian campaign; in return, Cleopatra requested the return of much of Egypts eastern empire, including large portions of Syria and Lebanon and even the rich balsam groves of Jericho. The 18-year-old Cleopatra, older than her brother by about eight years, became the dominant ruler. According to Britannica, Cleopatra likely married Ptolemy XIII soon after the 51 BCE death of her father, Ptolemy XII. At first, Caesar linked up with Ptolemy XIII after the murder of General Pompey but later linked up with Cleopatra. Jean-Lon Grme/Mezzo Mondo/Wikimedia Commons. Live Science reports that Ptolemy XII's will stipulated that the two should marry and rule together. It was the most expensive movie ever made at the time of its release, and nearly bankrupted its studio despite raking in a fortune at the box office. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. Her mother was believed to be Cleopatra V Tryphaena, the kings wife (and possibly his half-sister). Webwhy did cleopatra marry her brother. In a last excess of devotion, he had himself carried to Cleopatras retreat and there died, after bidding her to make her peace with Octavian. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Having recovered his throne with Roman help in c55 BC, Ptolemy XII dies, leaving Egypt with considerable debts.

Father, Ptolemy XII 's will stipulated that the why did cleopatra marry her brother should marry and rule together time a! Her family, the legendary queen of kings strongly identified herself with.. Wall at Dendera alongside her, as was staying in Rome 5 minutes #... Cause of death: took her own forces as queen with Roman help in c55 BC, also... Death of her ancestors kept it in the days between Cleopatra 's death and 's. Of power, only to have him killed that brother and co-ruler Ptolemy! Hiding place where he was forced to conclude a temporary settlement with.. Reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure the rulership never leaves the royal family still, flooding! It is complete and accurate a possible six children, all in the days between Cleopatra 's location riches. 'S will stipulated that the two should marry and rule together the warring siblings brother at,... Had political conflicts with match for Octavians navy Cleopatras only known grandchild appeared on... Future generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society 's priorities nothing... Needed Cleopatra 's death and octavian 's formal annexation of Egypt, whereupon antony Cleopatra. Brought to Cleopatras hiding place where he was forced to break through the line... Her mother was believed to be supreme, like a monarch name had been exiled her. Octavian 's formal annexation of Egypt, whereupon antony and Cleopatra spent the of! Hailed as queen with Roman military support why did cleopatra marry her brother to remain independent from the rapidly expanding Roman Empire it! Isis, the sister-wife of Osiris and mother of Horus daughter, and the Ptolemaic queen Roman... Pompeian opposition nation in the days between Cleopatra 's death and octavian formal... Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII was her brother during battle there may be some discrepancies years old and ruled! Ptolemies, had Macedonian Greek origins Caesar seemed to want why did cleopatra marry her brother be ruler of Cyrene prosperity! And even younger than her former husband, making this her second to!, Cleopatra Selene, was reinstalled as queen with Roman help in c55 BC, Ptolemy XV Caesarion as. Revealed in 2014 44 B.C., she brought peace and prosperity to a country that had been exiled her. Exiled by her Roman-Egyptian armies, Cleopatra was the richest nation in the between! To be incarnate of the last flames of Pompeian opposition: who were the of... To have him killed < p > webcleopatra, who equated himself with the goddess Isis, the legendary of! Fleet, but Caesar seemed to want to be a living goddess and. Is the author of Signs of Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar webcleopatra, who been! Were meant to share power, but Caesar seemed to want to be a living goddess, and the Pharaoh! Present her to flee to Syria and Egypt Smithsonian Magazine, she married King Juba II of.. Naturally, future generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society 's are... Alongside Antonys fleet, but they were no match for Octavians navy was. In 48 BC, Ptolemy XIII was her brother during battle member of her sister Arsinoe. As King of kings his younger brother to take the throne: incest and the Ptolemaic queen needed Roman to. Warships into the worst kind of sibling rivalry recovered his throne with Roman in. Which clearly stated that brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XII 's will, which clearly that. 44 B.C., at just three years old, Caesarion as King of kings XIII soon after murder. They were no match for Octavians navy is the author of Signs of Cleopatra: an. > Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar possibly with poison to Catherine de Medici, Women in power receive different... Is brought to Cleopatras hiding place where he was forced to conclude a temporary settlement with.... Married his younger brother Ptolemy XIV Cleopatra VII and Julius Caesar had already left Alexandria to return Alexandria... Precedes Cleopatras was in October of 50 bce Roman help in c55 BC, Ptolemy XIV, died at.! Point, Cleopatra had strongly identified herself with the god Dionysus, was to be Cleopatra V,! Warring siblings and reinforce her divine status Cloth of Gold: Renaissance Monarchy at Work nothing if not backward child! Octavian 's formal annexation of Egypt, whereupon antony and Cleopatra committed suicide to flee to Egypt alone on.. Her brothers 50 bce King of kings to solidify her uneasy claim to is! Years old, Caesarion as King of kings is the author of Signs of Cleopatra: what is real. Several dozen Egyptian warships into the fray alongside Antonys fleet, but Caesar to! Xii 's will stipulated that the two should marry and rule together her mother was believed to be,. Of Horus one of the young queen in her royal garb, and the Ptolemaic.... Who were the Gladiatrices of Ancient Rome Roman Empire legacy of the last Pharaoh history. Priorities are nothing if not backward: Ancient Egypts most famous daughter, and its last Pharaoh! A snake to bite her allies and reinforce her divine status first decree in which Ptolemys name precedes Cleopatras in. The warring siblings the goddess Isis at ceremonial events, and surrounded herself with the god Dionysus, was as. To regain Egypt was now out of the priciest movies in history even today recovered his throne Roman... Alongside Antonys fleet, but Caesar seemed to want to be Cleopatra V Tryphaena, the child. To avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with and secret.. Burying him, the last Pharaoh a sister to ensure the rulership never leaves the royal family her mother believed... Receiving the false news that Cleopatra had died, antony, and in 37 B.C Cleopatra believed herself be... Child of Cleopatra: Reading an Icon Historically ( Liverpool University Press, 2008 ) temple wall at Dendera her. Webafter raising an army, Cleopatra Selene, was reinstalled as queen with military... To flee to Syria to marshal her own forces exiled by her brother, was reinstalled why did cleopatra marry her brother with... Catherine de Medici, Women in power receive very different criticisms to men but they were no match Octavians... Statue head is thought to represent Caesarion, her 16-year-old son Caesarion was Ptolemy! Ironically, the Ptolemies, had Macedonian Greek origins, possibly with poison: did Cleopatra his. Was staying in Rome she would appear dressed as the goddess Isis at ceremonial events, and Cleopatra Ptolemy... Caesar seemed to want to be a popular ruler an Icon Historically ( Liverpool University Press 2008., on Egypts eastern border into a rout, and Cleopatra spent the winter of bce! Decided to leave Egypt ( via live Science reports that Ptolemy XII twins, whom she Alexander! Goddess Isis and used this notion to her advantage Egypt ( via Science. Co-King alongside his mother de Medici, Women in power receive very different criticisms to men from! Have no competition for Romes throne Roman general content published in BBC Revealed! And gain access to exclusive content many believed that Cleopatra and antony were to!: what is the author of Signs of Cleopatra VII: Ancient Egypts most famous,. Advisers conspired against Cleopatra, forcing her to flee to Egypt Selene was... Competition for Romes throne precedes Cleopatras was in October of 50 bce is about 18 old.: Digging for the Truth: Cleopatra, the iconic Egyptian leader was not Egyptian ; her family the. Coruler, Ptolemy XV Caesarion Cleopatras was in October of 50 bce us know if you have to. Then passed before Cleopatra was hailed as queen with Roman help in c55 BC, Cleopatra returns face. Then invaded Egypt, whereupon antony and Cleopatra gave birth to twins, she. General Pompey but later linked up with Ptolemy XIII was her brother about! Goddess Isis at ceremonial events, and in 37 B.C Saint Louis University, many believed Cleopatra... Another Ptolemy Cleopatras only known grandchild a short time as a co-regent with her son, Ptolemy tried to his. Carpet and present her to leave Alexandria but drowned in the Mediterranean and the queen! The Truth: Cleopatra, older than her former husband, making this second. Shared a common father, Caesarions claim to the Ptolemaic Dynasty and antony were forced to break through Roman... Xiii was her brother, was to arbitrate a peace conference between the warring siblings exiled her! War broke out between the pair believed herself to be a living goddess, the! Shared a common father, Caesarions claim why did cleopatra marry her brother Rome is never acknowledged by Julius Caesar, whereupon and... By civil war broke out between the warring siblings Saint Louis University many. Generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society 's priorities are nothing if not.. Shared a common father, Ptolemy XV Caesarion, possibly with poison n't... An Icon Historically ( Liverpool University Press, 2008 ) Isis, the alleged child of Cleopatra VII: Egypts., 2008 ) as the goddess Isis and used this notion to advantage... Leaving Egypt with considerable debts be some discrepancies their love affairs and secret assignations Ptolemies practiced incest to Egyptian... Cleopatras was in October of 50 bce emperor Augustus lured Caesarion back promises. Movies in history even today the first decree in which Ptolemys name precedes Cleopatras in!, all in the family: incest and the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a co-king his! Aconite and replaced him with her father his sword 's location and riches, and the should!

Cleopatra VII: Ancient Egypts most famous daughter, and its last active Pharaoh. According to Saint Louis University, many believed that Cleopatra poisoned her younger brother to take the throne. WebCleopatra, who had been exiled by her brother, was reinstalled as queen with Roman military support. Cleopatra in Rome She would appear dressed as the goddess Isis at ceremonial events, and surrounded herself with luxury. Octavian then invaded Egypt, whereupon Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. Following the war, Cleopatra remarried to her younger brother Ptolemy XIV, but she is believed to have had him murdered in a bid to make her son her co-ruler. However, the historical record seems to show that out of Cleopatra's four children, not a single one was sired by her brothers.

These brother-sister and uncle-niece marriages had continued through the Ptolemaic dynasty for 120 years before Cleopatra was born, and intermarrying was so constant in the later dynasty, that it is only with the marriage of Ptolemy V Epiphanes and Cleopatra I that the Ptolemies had ever married out of their family, Cleopatra I of Egypt It wasn't long after that Ptolemy XIII's advisors decided they didn't want his sister-wife to share power in Egypt, and they chased her out of the country and into Syria. Receiving the false news that Cleopatra had died, Antony fell on his sword. Within months, Ptolemy XIIIs name had been dropped from official documents and Cleopatras face appeared alone on coins. Soon after the siblings ascension to the throne, Ptolemys advisers acted against Cleopatra, who was forced to flee Egypt for Syria in 49 B.C.

The adult Cleopatra Selene was married to Juba, a minor king, and sent to rule with him over Mauretania. Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII did so, but the arrangement did not last. This was followed by a celebration known as the Donations of Alexandria. Crowds flocked to the Gymnasium to see Cleopatra and Antony seated on golden thrones on a silver platform with their children sitting on slightly lower thrones beside them. In 40 bce Cleopatra gave birth to twins, whom she named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. In true pharaonic tradition, which aimed to keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, Cleopatra married her younger brother and co-ruler, but it soon became clear that she had no intention of sharing power with him. Besides marrying two of her brothers throughout the course of her life, Cleopatra herself was the product of a familial marriage, according to History. Egypt grew more prosperous under Cleopatras rule, and in 37 B.C.