Was Cleopatra a Murderer?

Who Was Cleopatra?

Cleopatra was the last ruler of ancient Egypt. Of the many things speculated about Cleopatra, perhaps the most sensitive issue as of late is her origin story. Some scholars debate that Cleopatra was not Egyptian. Cleopatra's mother's lineage is unknown. Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII, hailed from a long line of Macedonian Greeks who ruled Egypt for over 300 years. There are theories that she adopted Egyptian customs and learned the Egyptian language because an Egyptian mother taught her. No matter her heritage, she is still the Egyptian queen we remember most today.

Ruthless is Putting it Lightly

Cleopatra had a hand in murdering several of her siblings. Talk about sibling rivalry. This family was dramatic from the beginning. When her father returned from exile and found Cleopatra's older sister on the throne, he killed her. When her father died, she (along with Caesar) waged war against her younger brother, and he died in battle. She then married her other brother. Historians believe she wanted her son Caesarian on the throne instead, so she poisoned her brother-husband. Then shortly after she met Mark Antony, Cleopatra's had her sister, Arsinoe, killed.

Walk Like An Ancient Egyptian Goddess

Just as Cleopatra exalted the ancient Egyptian culture, she personified the Egyptian winged goddess Isis. She wasn't just obsessed with ancient Egyptian culture. Isis was the goddess protector of the throne of Egypt. Scholars believe Cleopatra aligned with the goddess Isis to strengthen her political influence in Egypt and Rome. The cult of Isis was popular in Rome, especially with lower-class women. Augustus disliked the cult because of its association with Egypt, Cleopatra, and his archnemesis, Antony. Cleopatra was also fond of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. When Cleopatra made her "grand entrance" to Mark Antony in Rome, she arrived dressed as the Greek goddess Aphrodite in a boat with silver oars. Antony claimed to be Dionysus to Cleopatra's Aphrodite.

Cleopatra Knew How to Party

Cleopatra created a drinking club with Mark Antony. They called it "Inimitable Livers," hosted elaborate feasts, and dressed in disguises roaming the streets pranking people. Of course, it cost a tremendous amount to finance this lavish lifestyle. If the legends are true, once on a dare, Cleopatra ate a meal that would cost millions today, ending it with a glass of vinegar. Legend says she dropped a huge pearl in the vinegar until it dissolved and then drank the mixture.

Rome's Power Won in the End

In 32 BC, Rome declared war on Cleopatra's Egypt. The Roman army defeated Antony at the famous battle of Actium. Disgraced, Antony committed suicide or "fell upon his sword." With Egypt under Roman rule, Cleopatra was without Antony, and she also committed suicide. Her suicide by asp bite, made famous in Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra,” has scholars questioning her method, and many think she may have used poison. It is believed that Roman emperor Augustus hated Cleopatra so much that rather than name his birth month of September after himself, he chose the month of August because that is when he defeated Cleopatra's army and wanted to commemorate it.

Historians blame Augustus for the negative perception of Cleopatra through the ages. Thus, one must not discredit her charm, intelligence, and keen ability to align with powerful men and have their children. However, observing the events that led to the fall of Egypt, it's hard to ignore the flaws of its final ruler. First, it seems Cleopatra made terrible choices of the men she aligned with. Second, the unsuccessful military battles, and finally, the excess when it came to the country she killed so many to rule.

References:

• 10 Little Known Facts About Cleopatra
• Who Was Cleopatra?
• Cleopatra's Political Affairs Were A Gamble That Failed
• Cleopatra
• Isis and Cleopatra in Rome
• Cult of Isis
• Cleopatra Had A Secret Drinking Club
• "When Women Ruled The World: Six Queens of Egypt" By Kara Cooney

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