Cleopatra VII Philopator was born 69BC and died in 30BC. If we consider then that her brief life has lasted so long in our minds as glorious and perhaps infamous it is because she truly was a wonderous creature in her time.
Egyptian history is broken up into different time periods:
Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom
New Kingdom
Late Period
Greco-Roman Period
Cleopatra belonged to the Greco-Roman Period and was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic family. She is believed to have been a very intelligent and charming ruler, speaking Greek (as did all the Ptolemies before her) but Egyptian as well. These qualities made her a formidable ruler as opposed to her beauty. Images found on coins from the time show us that she wasn't much of a looker at all really (which is why I chose the stunning, easily recognisable image of Ms Taylor). But then other sources contest that she did have great physical and sexual appeal and it is merely our perception of beauty over time that has changed. I guess we'll never know.
Known for her love affairs with the Roman statesman Julius Caesar and his political successor Mark Antony, Cleopatra bore the former a son, Caesarion, and a son Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene to the latter.
Cleopatra and Mark Antony fought to keep Egypt an independent state, but they lost the important sea battle at Actium to Octavian, Caesar's adopted son. Octavian later became the Emperor Augustus and Egypt became a Roman occupied territory.
After Mark Antony's death Cleopatra committed suicide by the venom of a snake, possibly asp or cobra - depending on the sources.
Her infamy today is due, I think, to Elizabeth Taylor's famous portrayal in the movie of the same name in 1963 and I think the charismatic queen would have been pleased with the depiction. Don't you?
Source: Egypt: The World of the Pharaohs, ed R. Schulz and M. Seidel, Konemann
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