Table of contentsIntroductionThe context of Cleopatra's lifeCleopatra's father and the opportunity for powerAlliance and exileRefuge and meeting Julius CaesarCleopatra's bold moveThe alliance of Caesar and CleopatraThe alliance with RomeThe Battle of Actium and the Demise of CleopatraCleopatra's LegacyConclusionIntroductionThe story of Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, has captivated people's imaginations for centuries. Her rise to power was a remarkable feat, considering the patriarchal society she lived in and the challenges she faced within her own family. Cleopatra's journey to becoming Queen of Egypt is a story of political maneuvering, strategic alliances, and sheer determination. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Context of Cleopatra's Life To understand how Cleopatra came to power, we must first examine the context in which she lived. Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE into the Ptolemy dynasty, a Greek-speaking dynasty that ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great. The Ptolemies had a complex and often tumultuous relationship with the Egyptian people, who viewed them as foreign rulers. Cleopatra's family had a long history of infighting and power struggles, which would ultimately shape their own path to the throne. Cleopatra's Father and the Opportunity for Power Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII, was a weak and ineffective ruler who faced many challenges during his reign. He was forced into exile several times and relied heavily on support from Rome. It was during one of these exiles that the opportunity presented itself for Cleopatra to take power. In 58 BCE, Ptolemy XII died, leaving the throne to his eldest daughter, Berenice IV. However, Cleopatra, who was only 18 years old at the time, was determined to assert her rights. Alliance and Exile Cleopatra's first move was to form an alliance with her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, who was only 10 years old at the time. By marrying him, Cleopatra secured a powerful ally and positioned herself as co-ruler. However, this alliance was short-lived, as Ptolemy XIII's advisors, led by the eunuch Pothinus, considered Cleopatra a threat to their power. They managed to convince Ptolemy XIII to exile Cleopatra from Alexandria. Refuge and meeting with Julius Caesar Undeterred, Cleopatra sought refuge in the city of Thebes, where she began to gather an army to challenge her brother's rule. It was during this time that she met Julius Caesar, the Roman general who would play a central role in her rise to power. Cleopatra saw this as an opportunity to align herself with Rome, a powerful empire that could provide her with the military support she needed. Cleopatra's Bold Move In 48 BCE, Cleopatra smuggled herself into Caesar's palace in Alexandria, wrapped in a carpet. This bold move not only caught Caesar's attention, but also showcased Cleopatra's ingenuity and determination. Caesar, impressed by her boldness, saw the potential in aligning with Cleopatra to secure his own interests in Egypt. The alliance of Caesar and Cleopatra. Caesar and Cleopatra formed a romantic and political alliance, with Cleopatra giving birth to their son, Caesarion, in 47 BCE. This union solidified Cleopatra's claim to the throne and ensured Roman support for her rule. With Caesar's support, Cleopatra managed to oust her brother from power and became sole ruler of Egypt in 47 BC.