Cleopatra from a Roman Perspective

At age 17, Cleopatra ascended to the Egyptian throne. She reigned between 50 and 30 B.C. Cleopatra's father was forced to pay tribute to the Roman Empire in order to keep them from invading Egypt. What was Cleopatra's motive of involvement with Roman leaders? Hunger to empower her dynasty, or revenge?

Many Roman leaders had affairs with Cleopatra. She was hungry for power in the Roman Empire, and succeeded somewhat, even though it cost her life. Julius Caesar had an affair with Cleopatra. While in Alexandria, Caesar received a very unique gift: an oriental rug with a 22-year-old Cleopatra wrapped in it. They had an affair and Cleopatra bore him a son, Caesarion.

After Julius' assassination, Octavius became the new leader. Mark Antony, a powerful force in Rome had plans to invade Parthia, a campaign Caesar was working on before his murder.

Antony ordered Cleopatra to meet him in Tarsus. In the style of Cleopatra, she met him on a great barge dressed as the Goddess Venus, and swept Antony off his feet. She was aware of his taste for banquets and carousing. Antony followed her back to Alexandria, postponing his Parthia campaign.

In the interim, Italy's situation was grave and civil war was on the horizon. Antony returned to Italy. When he returned, the Caesar Octavius agreed that he would be supreme in the west and Antony would be supreme in the east. This was sealed by Antony's marriage to Octavia, Octavius' sister (Antony's wife had died). Octavia bore him two daughters.

Antony finally pursued his Parthia campaign, but met Cleopatra en route in Syria. There he finds she has bore him twins. He acknowledged the children and married Cleopatra by Egyptian ceremony. She soon bore him another child.

When Antony did finally pursue the Parthia campaign, it was a devastating disaster, costing him 20,000 men.

Antony formally made the "Donation of Alexandria", giving many territories of Roman East to Cleopatra, and divorcing Octavia. The Roman Senate outlawed Antony and declared war on Cleopatra. Antony had Cleopatra on his flagship, which his soldiers sorely resented. After he lost his fleet and the loyalty of his soldiers, Antony killed himself with his own sword.

Cleopatra met Octavius on one occasion, and it was presumed she was trying to seduce him. When she discovered Octavius had plans to capture her and parade her through Rome, she had a Asp smuggled in and died of it's bite. She was age 39.

Octavius gave his power to the Senate, which gave it back to him, declaring him Augustus. He was actually the first of the Roman Emperors.