Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt. At this time in Rome, there was also a civil war between Pompey (the Great) and Julius Caesar. Pompey was an ally of Egypt and he fled to Egypt. In 48 BC Caesar appeared in Egypt in pursuit of his rival, Pompey. Knowing that Caesar would win, Ptolemy XIII had Pompey stabbed as he came for help and his head saved to show Caesar to convince Caesar that he was on his side in the civil war. Caesar was not happy by Pompey's head being presented to him. Caesar was a friend of Pompey and did not want to have him treated so disrespectfully. Cleopatra, outside the city, knew it was imperative that she get to Caesar and tell her side of the story. She had herself smuggled into the palace in a rug. It would have been impossible to gain access to the palace without Ptolemy XIII discovering and killing her. Cleopatra had one of her attendants carry her to him, rolled up in a
rug offered as a gift. Caesar was enchanted by the young queen and the
two spent the night together. Ptolemy was called to an audience the next
day and found Cleopatra was at Ceasar's side.
What had begun as a war between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII evolved into a war between Ptolemy XIII allied with Arsinoe IV against Caesar. This is refered to as the Alexandrian War. Ceassar won this wareasily amd Ptolemy XIII droened in the Nile while trying to escape. Cleopatra had a genuine respect for Caesar, whose intelligence and wit matched her own. Cleopatra was then restored to the throne and again married to her brother, Ptolemy XIV. It was 47 B.C., and Cleopatra was 22 years old, and Ptolemy XIV was 12. Cleopatra again acted as sole ruler, and this time managed to keep Ptolemy XIV from influence. Cleopatra chose to show Caesar her country with a cruise on the Nile. Cleopatra was so respected and honored as a Pharaoh and a God by the people that Ceasar saw in her power he would never have. Cleopatra bore Caesar a son, called Caesarion, meaning "little Caesar." When Caesar returned to Rome, she followed him with their baby and lived in Caesar's villa outside of Rome, where he visited her constantly. Most of the senators thought he posed a threat to the well-being of the repulic, because they believed that he was going to have himself declared king. The conservative Republicans were very offended when he established Cleopatra in his home. Her social manners did not make the situation any better. She upset many. Cleopatra had started calling herself the New Isis and was the subject of much gossip. She lived in luxury and had a statue made of gold placed by Caesar, in the temple of Venus Genetrix . Caesar also openly claimed Caesarion as his son. Many were upset that he was planning to marry Cleopatra regardless of the laws against bigamy and marriages to foreigners. On the Ides (middle) of March in 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated outside the Senate Building in Rome. He was killed in a conspiracy by his Senators. After Caesar's murder, Cleopatra fled Rome and returned home to Alexandria. She felt her life, as well as that of her child, was in great danger. She found Egypt suffering in her absence from plagues and famine. The Nile canals had been neglected, which caused the harvests to be bad. The bad harvests continued from 43 until 41 BC. Soon after, Ptolemy XIV died, perhaps poisoned by Cleopatra, and the queen named her son Caesarion co-ruler with her as Ptolemy Caesar. Civil war followed Caesar's assassination, and the Roman Empire was divided. Marc Antony, as ruler of the eastern empire, summoned Cleopatra to Tarsus, in Asia Minor, to answer charges that she had aided his enemies . The queen arrived, dressed as Venus, on a magnificent river barge. She welcomed Antony with feasting and entertainment. Fascinated by her, he followed her to Alexandria. But that is an other story
|