Results: Cleopatra VII Philopator (Koinē Greek: Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ; 69 BC – 10 August 30 BC) was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. As a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, she was a descendant of its founder Ptolemy I Soter, a Macedonian Greek

No contemporary records exist of Cleopatra's life, so the majority of her story has been learnt through historians like Plutarch (46 AD–120 AD) and Dio Cassius (155 AD–235 AD). Were you aware that Cleopatra VII one of the most famous rulers of Egypt was Greek?

Her native language was Koine Greek and she was the first Ptolemaic ruler to become familiar with the Egyptian language. Cleopatra was well educated and studied math, logic, debating, and science. She spoke no less than nine languages, and possibly upwards of 12. Because of this, she was able to address commanders and leaders of different nations without a translator or mediator which gave her an advantage. Cleopatra popularized the idea of ruler worship, influencing the way Rome and other western empires would be governed in the future. Were you aware that the Egyptians believed that she was the embodiment of the goddess Isis?

Cleopatra and Caesar established a liaison which propelled her to power in Egypt and kept her there until the death of Caesar in 44 BC. Cleopatra had a child in 47 BC called Ptolemy XV Caesar, who is generally accepted to be Julius Caesar's son, Caesarion. Caesar took Cleopatra back to Rome with him and installed her in a Villa outside of the city. He then placed a bronze statue of Bucephalus (the favorite horse of Alexander the Great) in front of the temple and placed a golden statue of Cleopatra in the form of Isis beside the statue of Venus in the center of the temple. The Roman senate, who admired Calpurnia, Caesar's wife, for her demure and submissive demeanor and detested Cleopatra for interloping, were appalled! Cleopatra was especially hated by the orator Cicero. Cleopatra's affair with Caesar lasted until the Ides of March, or March 15, 44 BC, when Caesar was famously assassinated. Were you aware that his adoration of Cleopatra was part Caesar's downfall?

Cleopatra began her astonishing relationship with Mark Antony in 41 BC. Their relationship also had a political angle, as Cleopatra required Antony to secure her crown and maintain Egypt's autonomy, while Antony wanted access to Egypt's wealth and assets. The arrangement worked well for both of them. Antony and Cleopatra's twin boy and girl were named Helios (the Sun) and Selene (the Moon) respectively, They later had another son, Ptolemy Philadelphus. After suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Roman rival Octavian, Mark Antony, believing Cleopatra to be dead, killed himself. Cleopatra followed by also committing suicide. Her suicide was due to.....

The saga of Cleopatra's life, rife with political ambition and romantic intrigue, has been the subject of many dramatic retellings over the years. Her affair with Rome's Mark Antony also inspired a famous play by William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, which was first performed in 1607. Have you seen any of the following?