Mary

Cleopatra

            There is a commonly used phrase that says “be a leader not a follower.” The thing is only a few people know how to be a leader. Until 69 B.C. the world was void of great women leaders. But then a ruler came about that would change the world. Cleopatra VII was not just another Egyptian pharaoh; she was one of the most important figures in history, her politics changed the world, and she influenced many future women leaders.

            Cleopatra was destined from birth to become famous, rich, and glorious. Cleopatra grew up accustomed to the finest luxuries, imported from all over the world. She had great gardens, magnificent museums, and other worldly temples. She had the finest of luxuries. In 69 B.C Cleopatra VII was born in Alexandria, Egypt to Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra Tryphaena. Her name meant glory. Cleopatra had two younger brothers, each one younger then her. In Egypt since the beginning of their dynasty, they had married brother and sister. So in time she would marry each one of her brothers. She also had three sisters. All played a part in the race for the throne. It wasn’t just her parents that had made her rich. Her city (Alexandria) was famous for its manufacture of luxury goods such as perfumes and papyrus. The city was also laid with temples devoted to both Egyptian and Greek gods. In ancient Egypt the pharaohs claimed to be gods so they would have more rule over the common citizens. Cleopatra claimed to be Isis, the Egyptian goddess of motherhood and fertility. Some people believed that she was a god because “she had a weird effect on people that made them immediately like her.”(Hoobler 1-39)     Cleopatra wasn’t successful and famous by smarts or obedience she was cunning.She had already made a great impression on Antony when she was only 14 years old, not old enough to participate in politics but to learn ruthlessness and cunning.  Marc Antony was (when he met Cleopatra) one of the three members of the second Roman triumvirate that ruled the Mediterranean world.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 7:55 pm and is filed under Musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.