Cleopatra,, queen of EGYPT, one of the great romantic
heroines of history. The daughter of PTOLEMY XI, she was married
(as was the custom) to her younger brother, PTOLEMY XII. By
revolting against him, with the aid of Julius CAESAR, she won the
kingdom, although it remained a vassal of Rome. After her husband
died, she married another brother, Ptolemy XIII; but she was the
mistress of Caesar, and in Rome she bore a son, Caesarion (later
Ptolemy XIV), said to be his. Returning to Egypt after the murder
of Caesar, she was visited by Marc ANTONY, who fell in love with
her. She seems to have hoped to use him to reestablish her
throne's power; they were married in 36 B.C. But the Romans were
hostile, and Octavian (later AUGUSTUS) defeated Antony and
Cleopatra off Actium in 31 B.C. Failing to defend themselves in
Egypt, Antony and Cleopatra killed themselves. PLUTARCH,
SHAKESPEARE, and G.B. SHAW are among the writers who have
described Cleopatra's remarkable life.
