Have you ever heard the story of a woman, so beautiful, so enchanting, so cunning, that
she singlehandedly altered the course of the world’s greatest Empire? A true tale of
love, lust and treachery that competes with even the greatest works of fiction.
Some say she was divine, a strong leader beloved by her people, whilst others dismiss her as
simply a pawn in the games of more powerful men. I will let you make up your own mind
as we explore together the enthralling legend of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile.
The focus of our story today is perhaps the most famous woman to have ever lived. Such
is her influence on the world, that her name is as famous 2000 years after her death than
any current celebrity you might be able to think of. This despite the fact she lived
for only a short 39 years. But whilst her name may be remembered, the
details of her truly remarkable life are perhaps less well known. A tragedy that we are going
to rectify together, right now. Cleopatra was born into Egyptian royalty,
the daughter of Ptolemy the 12th who died when she was only 18 years old. As custom
dictated, the throne was passed to Cleopatra and her 10-year-old brother Ptolemy the 13th
to rule together. Imagine yourself at 18 years old, being given responsibility for the lives
of an entire population. The pressure, the fear you would experience. But Cleopatra was
undaunted, perhaps instilled with an innate belief that she was born to rule.
And if the enormity of this situation wasn’t enough on its own, internal family friction
was immediate as jealousy and ambition looked to pounce on the opportunity, the prospect
of so much power creating a huge rift between the siblings. Supporters of both sides declared
their right to rule alone and in situations such as this, conflict is inevitable. Forces
were assembled and the great city of Alexandria became the frontline in the war for supremacy
between brother and sister. Cleopatra was forced to temporarily flee to Syria but was
able to raise an army of mercenaries and return to continue the fight.
It was at this moment however, amidst the raging battle for dominance and control, that
an unforeseen twist of fate transpired that would not only forever change the life of
Cleopatra, but the fate of Egypt itself. From across the sea, a man appeared, running
scared and seeking refuge. This was not just any man however, but the legendary Roman General
Pompey himself. Following a string of defeats at the hands of Julius Caesar in Rome’s
own ongoing civil war, Pompey had fled to Egypt seeking a safe haven to rebuild his
forces. But rather than being met with friendship and support as he had expected, Cleopatras
estranged brother Ptolemy instead had Pompey killed in the hope that he would gain the
favour of Caesar by removing his great nemesis. But rarely are things that simple, and Caesar
was certainly not a man that was easy to predict. Upon his arrival in Egypt and the presentation
of Pompey’s severed head, rather than gratitude, the Emperor was outraged by the murder of
a Roman senator at the hands of a foreigner. He immediately demanded a ceasefire in the
war between Cleopatra and her brother, eager to bring Egypt back in line. But Ptolemy had
control of the palace, and set about trying to convince Caesar to grant him sole rule
over Egypt whilst using his forces to keep his sister from getting to the emperor.
But our young protagonist was not to be so easily contained. Demonstrating both her bravery
and cunning in equal measure, she managed to sneak into the palace in the dead of night,
disguised and unseen, and make her way to the bedchamber of Caesar. It is hard to imagine
what he must have thought, this all-powerful man, how his heart must have raced at the
sudden appearance of this glorious young queen emerging from the shadows, a hypnotic vision
of divinity come to steal his devotion. By the morning, Ptolemy awoke to find his
sister miraculously at Caesars side, the full support of Rome pledged toward ending the
civil war. Ptolemy, still only a 13 year old boy, flew
into a rage and attempted to incite a riot in Alexandria against Caesar and Cleopatra.
His followers rallied and raged with him, forcing Caesar and the small contingent of
soldiers he had brought to Egypt to barricade themselves in the palace, Cleopatra by his
side. All hope looked lost, but they managed to
hold out long enough for reinforcements from Rome to arrive and the scales of power were
tipped suddenly in the opposite direction. Ptolemy and his army retreated to the Nile
but were pursued by Caesar and eventually defeated, the would-be boy king drowning in
the river as he attempted to flee. Caesar returned to Alexandria and declared
Cleopatra the ruler of Egypt, settling to stay in the country for several months. During
this time Cleopatra and Caesar grew close and a son was born, Caesarion or little Caesar.
Whether their love was real, who can say. The Egyptian queen was as intelligent as she
was beautiful, and the benefits of a relationship with the leader of Rome were clear to all.
Shortly after Caesars return to Rome, Cleopatra travelled to join him. Not recognised officially
given the presence of Caesars wife, but unofficially as his mistress, she resided in the city for
several months. That is until the fateful day now known as the ides of march and the
assassination of Caesar at the hands of his friends and confidants.
Her life suddenly thrown once more into turmoil, this still young Queen was forced to flee
Rome and retreat back to Egypt, fear and uncertainty gripping her as the ripples from Caesars death
surged out far and wide across the Empire. A further civil war broke out in Rome, the
killers of Caesar against his closest ally and legal Heir, Mark Anthony and Octavian.
Whilst Cleopatra did not know it at the time, these two men would play pivotal roles in
the rest of her life, albeit for very different reasons.
Whilst Cleopatra solidified her rule in Egypt, securing the life of her son and becoming
a beloved Queen, Anthony and Octavian were victorious in defeating Caesars assassins
and took control of Rome for themselves. With victory secured, Anthony summoned Cleopatra
to a meeting intent on questioning why she had not given support to his troops in the
civil war. But what occurred was something entirely different. On that day, they fell
deeply and intensely in love. It is said that Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance, arriving
in an elaborate ship dressed in the robes of the Egyptian goddess Isis, dazzling the
Roman who had no doubt heard stories of her magnetism that were somehow surpassed in reality.
He was struck by her intelligence as well as her beauty, captivated by her as if he
were a young boy again. Whilst her love for Caesar was uncertain, it was not so with Mark
Anthony, their passion burning bright for all to see.
On that day everything changed, as the love of two people would shift the course of history
and dictate the fate of an Empire. Anthony soon travelled to Egypt where he would
eventually marry Cleopatra, producing three children together. Egypt flourished under
her rule, becoming a wealthy and prosperous nation and her popularity soared with Anthony
by her side. But this put a great strain on Anthony’s relationship with Octavian, the
official heir of Caesar and ruler of the Western half of the Empire. Anthony was portrayed
by Octavian as a traitor, as succumbing to the temptations and trickery of an evil foreign
queen and forgoing his homeland of Rome. Eventually tensions escalated, and when Anthony
attempted to declare Caesarion as Caesars rightful heir instead of Octavian, they reached
the point of no return and war was officially declared. Anthony had risked everything for
Cleopatra, his infatuation clear for all to see. Unfortunately for him, it would prove
to be his undoing. As our story reaches its tragic climax, consider
for a moment the achievements of this young Egyptian Queen. Thrust into power as a teenager,
forced to fight her own people, her own family, to cling on to the rule that was rightfully
hers. Risking everything to form a relationship with the most powerful man in the world only
to find herself thrown back into chaos by his assassination. Surviving yet again and
prospering, worshiped by her people as a great and divine leader. And despite it all, finding
love, a deep and powerful love, that made it all seem worthwhile.
A short war followed in which our young Queen herself commanded a fleet of ships, but unfortunately
for this now famous couple, Octavian was successful in defeating their combined forces. Split
up during the war, Anthony received word that Cleopatra had taken her own life. Distraught,
he reached for his sword and stabbed himself in the stomach, uttering the words “I am
not pained to be bereft of you, for at once I will be where you are.” He did not die
straight away however, and was taken to Alexandria where the still very much alive Cleopatra
was waiting. But it was too late to save him, and she broke down in anguish as he took his
last breath in her presence. With everything lost, she attempted to burn
herself with her treasures and join her love, but was denied by the forces of Octavian as
they took control of the city. She was captured and prepared for transport to Rome.
In her final act of strength and defiance, determined to not be paraded through the streets
in triumph, she managed to escape and found a way to take her own life, joining Anthony
in their final resting place. She was buried alongside him in a grave that to this day,
has never been discovered. A tragic end to a remarkable life, but one
perhaps befitting the drama and theatre of her existence.
Thus ends the story of Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. Remembered for her beauty, but defined
by her greatness. Quite possibly the most famous woman to have ever lived, her story
will continue to be told for many years to come.
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