Facts about Cleopatra

Cleopatra, the name usually conjures up the image of a sensual and extremely gorgeous female in our minds. Hollywood movies have created such an image of Cleopatra in the mind of almost all the people. However, most of us have no idea that the famous ruler of ancient Egypt was probably not at all beautiful, infact she most probably had a hooked nose and masculine features (as seen in the coins belonging to her time). However, she was very intelligent, charming and had amazing convincing powers. She managed to save her kingdom from the Roman powers for a long time, but could not sustain it for a long time. After losing the Battle of Actium, in which Octavian invaded Egypt, Cleopatra committed suicide. In the following lines, we have provided interesting information on Cleopatra.

Interesting Facts about Cleopatra

Cleopatra’s full name was Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator.
Cleopatra was born in 69 BC, to Ptolemy XII and his wife, Cleopatra V of Egypt.
She became the Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty after succeeded Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (Auletes). She reigned for 21 years, from 51 BC to 30 BC.
Cleopatra died in 30 BC, when she was only 39 years old. She committed suicide and used an asp (an Egyptian cobra snake) for the purpose.
Cleopatra VII was the last Queen and the last Pharaoh of Egypt. Following her death, Egypt became a Roman province.
Cleopatra had four children, namely Caesarion aka Ptolemy Caesar (son of Julius Caesar) and Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene II and Ptolemy Philadelphus (children of Mark Antony).
Contrary to the popular belief, Cleopatra was perhaps not very beautiful. Coins dating back to her time depict a woman with a hooked nose and masculine features.
Cleopatra was a very intelligent woman, with oodles of charisma and amazing powers of persuasion.
Cleopatra was not an Egyptian. Rather, she was a Macedonian Greek who descended from Ptolemy I, a Greek general of Alexander the Great. Ptolemy I became the king of Egypt following the death of Alexander.
In the entire 300-year old Ptolemaic dynasty, Cleopatra was the only Pharaoh who could speak Egyptian. Infact, she was the master of nine languages in toto.
Cleopatra was one of the seven women named Cleopatra in the dynasty. This is why she was officially known as Cleopatra VII.
Cleopatra was the mistress, and probably the wife, of Julius Caesar. She was married to Mark Antony, apart from a few of her own brothers.

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