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date: 18 February 2025

Cleopatra VIIlocked

, 69–30 BCE

Cleopatra VIIlocked

, 69–30 BCE
  • Dorothy J. Thompson

Extract

Cleopatra VII (69–30 bce), the final and best known of the Ptolemies, was daughter of *Ptolemy (1) XII (Auletes). On the latter's death in 51 she became queen, alone at first and subsequently with her younger brothers, first *Ptolemy (1) XIII (who opposed Caesar) and then (47–45) with *Ptolemy (1) XIV. A joint reign with *Ptolemy (1) XV Caesar (Caesarion, reputedly Caesar's son) is recorded from 45 bce. Her later children by Mark Antony were the twins Alexander and Cleopatra (born 40 bce after Antony's winter in *Alexandria (1)), and Ptolemy Philadelphus (born 36). In 37/6 she marked Antony's gift to her of Chalcis in Syria by instituting a double numeration of her regnal years (year 16 = 1). She died by her own hand (and the bite of a royal asp) soon after Octavian (see augustus) took Alexandria on 3 August 30.

Subjects

  • Near East
  • Roman History and Historiography

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