Monday 29 th July 2020 LG to describe

Monday 29 th July 2020 LG: to describe how a significant individual or movement has influenced the UK or wider world.

Task: 15 – 20 mins • Find out about the life and events leading up to the death of Cleopatra VII, the last Egyptian queen. • Present a short talk about your findings.

Who’s Who? Cleopatra VII – co-regent of Egypt for nearly 30 years Mark Antony – general of Rome and friend ally of Julius Caesar Ptolemy XIII – younger brother of Cleopatra Brutus and Cassius - politicians and generals of Rome Julius Caesar – dictator of Rome Octavian (later called Augustus) – ally and adopted son of Caesar, military leader of Rome

Horrible Histories – Learn about Cleopatra Song about her life: https: //www. bbc. co. uk/iplayer/episode/p 078 r 5 wd/horriblehistories-songs-4 -ra-ra-cleopatra Whole episode special: https: //www. bbc. co. uk/iplayer/episode/b 060 pwn 6/horriblehistories-series-6 -7 -crafty-cleopatra-special

Cleopatra was born around 69 BC. Her father was Ptolemy XII and ruled Egypt. When he died in 51 BC, Cleopatra became co-regent of Egypt with her 10 -year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII. Not long after becoming co-regent, Cleopatra had to escape to Syria as her brother’s advisers threatened her life.

In 48 BC, there was conflict developing between the leader of Rome, Julius Caesar and Pompey (a military and political leader). Pompey escaped to Alexandria, the capital city of Egypt. Ptolemy ordered Pompey to be killed by the Egyptian military. Caesar arrived in Alexandria. With help from the Roman army, Cleopatra returned from exile in Syria and was reinstated as queen. The story goes that she was smuggled into the palace wrapped in a carpet, to meet with Caesar. Her brother, Ptolemy, was killed in battle and her other younger brother, 13 -year-old Ptolemy XIV, was made the coregent of Egypt.

Caesar began a relationship with Cleopatra and in 47 BC, she gave birth to his son, Caesarion, also referred to as Little Caesar. Around that time, Ptolemy XIV died in mysterious circumstances that meant Cleopatra could make her three-year-old son co-regent. After some time, Caesar left Egypt and returned to Rome. Cleopatra followed with her son but when Caesar was assassinated in 45 BC, she returned to Egypt.

In 41 BC, there was conflict between Caesar’s allies, Mark Antony and Octavian, and the two men who murdered Caesar, Brutus and Cassius. Both sides requested support from Egypt and eventually, Cleopatra sent an army to help Caesar's allies. Mark Antony and Octavian were victorious and divided the power in Rome between themselves. Mark Antony requested a meeting with Cleopatra. According to a written source, she sailed on a golden barge with silver oars to the Turkish coast, dressed in robes like the goddess Isis, to meet him.

Mark Antony was entranced by Cleopatra and he promised to support her. He returned to Egypt with her, leaving his family in Rome. Cleopatra later gave birth to twins; Alexander Helios (meaning sun) and Cleopatra Selene (meaning moon). They later had another son called Ptolemy Philadelphus.

In 31 BC, a furious war began between Mark Antony and Octavian over the succession of Roman leadership. Octavian’s army crushed Mark Antony’s in the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra escaped to Egypt and Mark Antony managed to follow. The city of Alexandria was under siege and Mark Antony heard a rumour that Cleopatra was dead. He fell on his sword and died. On hearing this, Cleopatra locked herself in her chamber and ended her life. There are different theories about how she died but many say she allowed a poisonous snake to bite her.

Although the most popular version of events is that Cleopatra committed suicide by placing a poisonous snake on her body and letting it kill her, some scientists disagree as this would have likely taken days, been very painful, and the snake venom may not have killed her.

The things we know about Cleopatra were written about her after she died by Romans, who served Octavian. This means they would have shown a bias against her. They believed if a woman held authority over men, she must have tricked him. They therefore made her seem extra beautiful, bloodthirsty and power-crazed.

Cleopatra is known for her political awareness, power and rule during a time when all rulers were under threat of being overthrown or killed. She was well educated in mathematics, philosophy and astronomy, and spoke a number of different languages. She led a fleet of ships into battle, influenced two of the most powerful men of that time and ruled Egypt for thirty years, during one of the most turbulent periods in time in that region. Photo courtesy of Eslam 17 (@wikimedia. org) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution

Cleopatra and Mark Anthony on a coin made in 36 BC. This is the only evidence we have from the time as to what she looked like. Her tomb hasn’t been discovered yet so we don’t have records of her life, written by Egyptians.