The Ptolemies were Macedonian in decent, but ruled as Egyptians, as Pharaohs. Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt.

Cleopatra VII's family had been ruling Egypt since 305 B.C., when Ptolemy I declared himself King of Egypt sometime after Alexander the Great's death.

When Alexander died, Ptolemy's generals divided the kingdom. Ptolemy had Egypt as his share. During his long reign Ptolemy led Egypt to prosperity before he handed over its management to his son, Ptolemy II.

The Ptolemaic Dynasty was started. Ptolemy, a Greek general was ancestor to Cleopatra. For the most part; the Greeks did not mingle much with Egyptians. Many elements of Greek culture were introduced by the Ptolemaic Dynasty.

Ptolemaic Dynasty went on to Ptolemy Auletes. Ptolemy XI king of Egypt, was the father of Cleopatra VII.
On her father's death in 51 BC Cleopatra, and her brother, Ptolemy XII, about 12 years, jointly succeeded to the throne of Egypt.

Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. In the springtime of 51 BC, Pharaoh Ptolemy Auletes died and left his kingdom in his will to his eighteen year old daughter, Cleopatra, and her 12 year old brother Ptolemy XIII.

Cleopatra was the last of the Ptolemy dinasty, the last true Pharoh of Egupt. Cleopatra left a legacy that never be forgoten in history.