Cleopartea

Emily Foss

Professor Gloster-Coates

HIS 196C

Due 28 November 2012

Research Paper

Main Focus of my paper: Cleopatra: the rise and demise; how these elements effected Egyptian culture; relationship with Marc Anthony; influence on Egyptian culture and people; the impact of her death on Egypt

Brief overview: Cleopatra brought her son, Caesarion to Rome in triumph and declared him the next ruler. After Julius Caesar died, she set up an alliance with Marc Anthony. He was defeated by Augustus Caesar’s troops. Augustus arranged the assassination of Casesarion in 30 B.C. after Cleopatra committed suicide by holding an asp to herself. (Rome Lecture and Agenda for HIS 196C 10/8/12 Prof. Gloster-Coates)

Cleopatra by Ernie Bradford: Section: Queen of Egypt

* “The whole of her life was devoted to her country” (pg11)

* “She was the seventh Egyptian queen of her name, but it is doubtful if she had any Egyptian blood in her viens. She was a Macedonian Greek” (pg11)

* The first of her “line” that learned the language of her own country

* “She was finally defeated in her attempt to keep Egypt free from Roman rule” :recorded by historians and poets that lived under Roman Emperors

* Augustus portrayed her as evil, treacherous and with sexual excess (shows his distaste for her attempt to prevent Roman rule

* “Cleopatra was capable of the ruthlessness and even murder in defense of her throne and her kingdom, but her actions were as nothing compared with those of Roman leaders who were fighting among themselves for the mastery of the world” (pg11)

* 18 when she took throne of Egypt in 51 B.C

* Married older brother Ptolemy XIII (a boy at the time; married to keep family reign over Egypt) (pg12)

* Matrilineal system (connection to class notes about this topic)

* Last sovereign ruler of Egypt

* Very beautiful and esthetically pleasing features

* “The eyes, the height of the brow, the clarity of the features, the nose and chin, all...