Cleopatra Essay example -- essays research papers fc

CleopatraMany countries have had important rulers who were well-known throughout the world. One country whose leaders oddly stand out is Egypt. The leaders of ancient Egypt were extremely essential in history. Cleopatra was a key example of these significant rulers of Egypt. The Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII was an unique woman who used her knowledge and ambition to fulfill Egypts political goals. Cleopatra VII, more commonly known as Cleopatra, was born to Ptolemy XII and his sister Cleopatra Tryphaina in 69 B.C. (Nardo 9). Although she lacked beauty, Cleopatra was regarded as a fascinating woman who was known for her intelligence and charm. Egyptian coins picture her with a countenance alive rather than beautiful, with a medium mouth, firm chin liquid eyes, broad forehead, and prominent nose (Cleopatra VII 377). After her fathers death in 51 B.C., Cleopatra became queen. She ruled Egypt with her first brother and husband Ptolemy XIII. Marriage between siblings was a common prac tice in ancient Egyptian royal families (Sinnigen 662). She was the last ruler of the dynasty established by Ptolemy I. Cleopatra was of Macedonian descent but took it upon herself to learn the Egyptian language and referred to herself as the daughter of the sun god (Cleopatra VII 377). Her capital was Alexandria, discovered by horse parsley the Great, and was an excellent center of Hellenistic Greek culture and c...