Cleopatra

(69 B.C.-30 B.C.)

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.