Cleopatra VII Philopator
Last Pharaoh of Egypt
69 BC - 30 BC
"She captivated the two greatest Romans of her day, and because of the third she destroyed herself."
This is how noted historian Cassius Dio summarizes the story of Cleopatra VII Philopator. The subject of myth for more than two millennia, she was Egypt’s greatest queen and last Pharaoh. The legend of Cleopatra continues to dazzle.
The most intriguing and most glamorous woman of the ancient world was a queen of passion, ruler of men’s hearts, with a fierce ambition to keep Egypt independent and even conquer the world. Cleopatra was loved and hated by some of the most powerful men of her time. Her life was filled with power struggles, sexual manipulation, warring empires and passionate love. She seized any oppertunity that came her way and was able to bring peace and prosperity to a country that had become poverty stricken and torn apart by civil war.
Cleopartra was a public benefactor, builder of aquaducts and lighthouses, but there also was a darker side to her character. She could be a selfish tyrant who tortured slaves for her entertainment and she would even murder her own siblings to secure her throne.
She’s remembered as a legendary temptress but she also was a true heroine. Throughout her more than twenty years as ruler, she kept Egypt allied with, but independent from, Rome. Already a queen at 18, she lost her kingdom once, regained it, amassed an empire (controlling virtually the entire eastern Mediterranean coast) and lost it all again. She came to a tragic, sudden and sensational end but she played her part extremely well. Even in defeat and death she remained victorious. She was not triumphed over. Dying at the age of 39, she’s the last page of the glory that was Egypt...
Julius Caesar is a great Roman general, senator and military leader. He wants to to rule Rome with absolute authority. He’s overly ambitious and easily flattered, a known womanizer and a proud and arrogant man. His sense of infallibility is his greatest weakness. He is too sure of himself to believe he has enemies, ignoring ill omens and threats against his life.
When he meets Cleopatra he’s a 52 year old man suffering from epilectic fits and partial deafness in his left ear. Their relationship is one of mutual benefit. Although he falls madly in love with her, he also needs the Egyptian riches to finance his battles. Cleopatra however depends on Caesar to stay on the throne.
Julius Caesar
Mark Antony (Marcus Antonius)
Mark Antony, a celebrated Roman statesman, is Julius Caesar’s second in command, before he becomes one of the leaders of Rome. His loyalty is divided between the western and eastern worlds. He gains fame as a skilled general and as great orator. In ‘Cleopatra The Crown of Isis’ he is torn between the sense of duty and the desire to seek pleasure, between reason and passion. He is a brave, intelligent, cunning pleasure loving and daring man.
His relationship with Cleopatra is based upon love and passion, but they also have a political alliance. They use eachother to further their own ends and ambitions. Cleopatra agrees to finance Antony ‘s war campaigns and in return he keeps Egypt independant from Rome. Their ill-fated romance ends with a mutual suicide.
Gaius Octavius is Julius Caesar’s grand-nephew, heir and adoptive son. He is not a very likeable character: highly intelligent but also cold, calculating and emotionless. He is a born politician who keeps his goals obscure but all he ever really wants is acquiring and maintaining power.
Mark Antony is his main rival for power in Rome, although the two work together closely at a time to avenge Ceasar’s death in the so called second Triumvirate. To solidify their alliance, Antony marries Octavian's sister, Octavia. The romance between Mark Antony and Cleopatra is unpopular and scandalous in Octavian’s eyes so he uses this for propaganda to bring Antony down. Argueing that Antony is willing to give away the Roman world to a foreign woman he declares war on Cleopatra, leading to the downfall of the two lovers.
Octavian (Octavianus)
In 'Cleopatra- The Crown of Isis' a man named Appolodorus The Sicilian, merchant and dedicated follower of Cleopatra, plays an important role. He secretly loves the queen, but of course, this love can never be answered.
We assume he has been close to her from the moment she became queen until she committed suicide. He shares his view on her lifestory with us.
Appoldorus has really lived, though not much is known about him other than that he was of Greek descent and born in Sicily. He was the one who helped Cleopatra getting into Caesar's palace.
Appolodorus the Sicilian (pic from the movie Cleopatra')
TIMELINE
69 b.C. - Cleopatra born in Alexandria
51 - Ptolemy Auletes, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies, leaving his kingdom to his 18-year-old daughter, Cleopatra, and her younger brother Ptolemy XIII.
48 - Cleopatra is removed from power by Theodotas and Achillas, on behalf of Ptolemy XIII.
48 - Roman leader Pompey defeated in Thessaly, at Pharsalus
- Pompey murdered as he steps ashore in Egypt on September 28.- Caesar restores Cleopatra to the Egyptian throne. Ptolemy dies.
47 - Caesarion (Ptolemy Caesar), Caesar and Cleopatra's son, born June 23. Cleopatra remarries to co-rule with younger brother Ptolemy XIV.
46-44 - Caesar, Cleopatra in Rome. Ptolemy XIV dies, possibly poisoned by Cleopatra.
44 - Assassination of Caesar on March 15. Cleopatra flees to Alexandria.
43 - Formation of the Second Triumvirate: Antony - Octavian (Augustus) - Lepidus
43-42 - Victory of the triumvirate at Philippi (in Macedonia)
41 - Antony meets Cleopatra at Tarsus and follows her to Egypt
40 - Antony returns to Rome
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The Second Triumvirate partitions the Mediterranean:
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Octavian - Commands the western provinces - (Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, Transalpine Gaul, Narbonne)
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Antony - Commands the eastern provinces (Macedonia, Asia, Bithynia, Cilicia, Syria)
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Lepidus - Commands Africa (Tunisia and Algeria)
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36 - Elimination of Lepidus
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Octavian controls Africa and becomes the effective ruler of Rome
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Parthian campaign of Marc Antony
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35 - Antony returns to Alexandria with Cleopatra
32 - Antony divorces Octavian's sister Octavia
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Western provinces pledge allegiance to Octavian
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Declaration of war on Cleopatra
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31 - Battle of Actium (Sept. 2) and victory of Octavian; Antony and Cleopatra seek refuge at Alexandria
30 - Victory of Octavian at Alexandria
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Suicide of Antony and then Cleopatra
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Egypt becomes a Roman province.
