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Goddess-Queen of the Nile

© Anita Stratos

Cleopatra. Just the name stirs images of a beautiful, lustful Egyptian queen. But historical records indicate that the well-known representations are quite incorrect; in fact, the most important thing about Cleopatra had nothing to do with her physical attributes. In addition, her royal lineage wasn't even Egyptian, nor was she the only Cleopatra to rule Egypt.

Written records as well as coins with her image depict Cleopatra as having a long, prominent nose and generally less than remarkable features. What made her so appealing to such powerful men as Julius Caesar and Marc Antony? The Greek author Plutarch wrote that Cleopatra's beauty was not in the physical, but rather it was the impact of her spirit that was irresistible. Her charming conversation, intelligence in her words and deeds, and her fluent knowledge of many languages were what made her so alluring. She was a brilliant political strategist, but her abilities went far beyond that: Plutarch wrote, "Plato speaks of four kinds of flattery, but Cleopatra knew a thousand".

Cleopatra was born into the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt from 305 to 30 BC. The Ptolemies were of Greek descent; Ptolemy I took over rule of Egypt, naming himself king, after the death of Alexander the Great. They kept the dynasty within the family - literally - by incestuous marriages throughout the generations.

The Cleopatra we all know - Egypt's last pharaoh - was the seventh and final Cleopatra of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Just as all of the male rulers were called Ptolemy (with an occasional Alexander thrown in as a tribute), all female co-rulers were named Berenice, Arsinoe, or Cleopatra, which means "glory of the father". It is still unknown who Cleopatra VII's mother was, as the Ptolemies were known for their promiscuity.

At eighteen Cleopatra assumed the throne, marrying her younger brother Ptolemy XIII, age ten, according to dynastic tradition. Around the same time, Rome was a conquering military giant with an eye on Egypt because of its vast wealth. Cleopatra went to great lengths to stay on good terms with Romans while at the same time protecting her country and monarchy. However, her father's will had placed his children under Roman protection, and Caesar was starting to demand repayment of a large financial debt owed to Rome.

It was at this point that Cleopatra devised a way to present herself to the strong 52-year-old Roman ruler. Her brother's army was blocking the way to Rome, guarding against Roman invasion. So at dusk, Cleopatra landed a small boat near Caesar's palace and, in order to enter undetected, had herself wrapped in a roll of bedding (some claim it was a carpet). The bedding was unrolled before Caesar, and the 21-year-old Egyptian pharaoh tumbled out. Caesar loved daring, wit, and intelligence above all things, and immediately Cleopatra captivated him with her inventiveness.

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