Fascination Continues ~ Cleopatra

I had come to Egypt to see the Nile River, Sphynx and Pyramids but now...the more I saw of Egypt, the more I wanted to walk in the footsteps of history. I had many questions. I should have studied Egyptology before going. I needed now a historical timeline of events.

Moses lived 1500 years before the birth of Jesus. Where and when did Cleopatra fit into their history.

Cleopatra Born 69 BC - Died 30 BC (Age 39)

After seeing the movie aaa "Cleopatra", what woman isn't fascinated by her, her life and how she died?

I hoped to learn more "insider info" about her, however, my host and his wife did not share my view saying her life and history ~ "too new to be as interesting."

They were more into the Pharaohs dating back 6000-7000 years. I loved them too, but now, I wanted to know about the woman who once ruled Egypt.

Reading about her answered a few of my questions.

Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. Alexandria is north of Cairo and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Her history is worth reading.

"Cleopatra VII" was not as pretty as her charm and ambition, that made two Roman leaders - Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony - fall into deep love with her.

She bore Caesar a son, Caesarion. He was surgically removed from her womb, giving the name to such births. We continue to use that name "caesarean section " births.

After Caesar was murdered, she and Mark Anthony had a romance which is interesting reading.


From him, Cleopatra gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Later she had another child by Mark Anthony. History moves along here. Mark Anthony died by falling on his sword after losing a battle and we all know how Cleopatra chose to die.

The visions from in the movie were in my head as I read from history the actual account of her final day.

"She had an asp, which was an Egyptian cobra, brought to her hidden in a basket of figs. She died on August 12, 30 BC at the age of 39. The Egyptian religion declared that death by snakebite would secure immortality. With this, she achieved her dying wish, to not be forgotten." She was buried with Mark Anthony as they both wanted.

After Cleopatra's death, her son from Caesar, Caesarion was strangled ~ the other children of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were raised by Anthony's wife, Octavia.

I find this very interesting. Do you?

iJune