Cleopatra Part 2: Queen of Kings - Page 2
© MIchelle Munro
The Roman Senate officially declared war and in 31 BC, Octavian and Marc Antony fought at sea during the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra was present with 60 of her own ships, but after forseeing the nimbler Roman ships would overcome, she and her fleet fled. Marc Antony ran out on his men mid-battle to follow his wife, further cementing in the minds of the Roman people that he was enslaved by his love for the foreign queen.
The pair hurried back to Egypt with Octavian in pursuit. Upon her return, Cleopatra ordered her workers to build a mausoleum and move her treasures into it. She locked herself inside and sent servants to spread word that she was dead. Hearing this, a distraught Marc Antony threw himself onto his sword, but did not die right away. Slowly nearing death, he discovered that she was, in fact, alive. Per his request, he was hoisted through on of the mausoleum windows and spent his final moments cradled in the arms of his consort. His last wish before passing on was for Cleopatra to make peace with Octavian.
Cleopatra was still living in the mausoleum when Octavian's forces arrived in 30 BC. She refused to come out of her safe-house and threatened to set fire to her valuables if forced out. Undaunted, Octavian ordered the mausoleum to be used as a holding cell, then placed guards to watch over his prisioner and make certain any suicide attempts were unsuccessful. Negotiations between Cleopatra and Octavian fell through, primarily because Octavian wanted the mighty Cleopatra for a slave and her treasures for himself.
Determined not to be put on display and humiliated as Arsinoe had, Cleopatra dressed in full regal attire, laid down on a bed of gold and allowed an asp (which had been smuggled in) to mortally bite her. The two faithful servants that had been by her side throughout the ordeal welcomed the same fate. As per their wishes, Cleopatra and Marc Antony were buried together to spend eternity.
