CLEOPATRA- CLEOPATRA AS QUEEN OF EGYPT (1) Flashcards
(15 cards)
Since when had the Ptolemies ruled Egypt?
305 BC
What does the name cleopatra mean?
Honoured in her ancestry
When was Cleopatra born?
69BC
Who were Cleopatra’s siblings?
Berenice, Arsinoe, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV
How was Cleopatra’s education/upbringing
Educated in alexandria by top tutors. Whilst other girls at the time may have been taught about the household, Ptolemaic women were often involved in politics and so had an education to match. She could speak 9 languages and was the first in her family to speak native Egyptian, as the Ptolemies preferred greek.
What happened to Ptolemy XII when Cleopatra was a child?
He faced an uprising in 58 BC and had to flee for three years, in which Berenice took the throne
Who was made co-ruler with Cleopatra?
Ptolemy XIII
Outline the events preceding Ptolemy XII’s death
Ptolemy returned from Rome in 55 BC with a Roman force. He was successful in reclaiming control of Egypt, and had Berenice executed, but remained very unpopular. Ptolemy passed his will to the Romans, which stated that Cleopatra should rule jointly with Ptolemy XIII.
How many years did Ptolemy XII reign and when did he die
27 years until 51 BC
When did Cleopatra leave Alexandria?
48 BC, to raise an army against her brother who was becoming more powerful
How was Cleopatra seen by the Egyptians
She was unpopular at the start of her reign as the Egyptians saw her as submitting to Rome.
After Caesar’s victory over Ptolemy XIII, she remained very unpopular, although she now had sole power.
Cleopatra began to associate herself with the goddess Isis (Egyptian goddess of motherhood/fertility), to try and draw her closer together with the Egyptian natives.
The expansion of her territory and improvement of Egypt’s fortune made her popular as well.
How is Cleopatra depicted in the sources?
Having charm- she is described as having great wit and intelligence ‘being with her had an inescapable hold’. However, we must consider that the Romans may have wanted to justify why two of their great men rejected Rome for the love of Cleopatra. By exemplifying this charm they could remove the blame from their statesmen.
Humour- She joined in with Antony’s boyish humour, and enjoyed playing dice, drinking and dressing up as commoners.
Courageous- Her bravery is exemplified initially through her meeting with Caesar- an extremely risky task. Plutarch says that Octavian ‘admired her noble spirit’. It was important though to depict Cleopatra as a worthy enemy so as to magnify Octavian’s victory.
How does Cleopatra depict her Hellenistic appearance?
Hooked nose- a Ptolemaic family trait.
Braided hair drawn back in a bun
Held down by a diadem
Cornucopia- symbolised prosperity
How does Cleopatra depict her Egyptian appearance?
Tripartite wig- typically seen amongst pharaohs
Uraeus- sacred snake used as a symbol of power
Depicted in relief- typical Egyptian style
How does Cleopatra mimic Isis?
She is the lover of a murdered man (Caesar)
A single mother ruling and protecting her son (Caesarion)
