Cleopatra

10 Pages 2380 Words

lory of winning the fight and a passion for men. Cleopatra had been called the mistress of all the world’s poets and the hostess of all the world’s revelers (Thomas 4).

Throughout history pictures of Cleopatra have been of a very beautiful woman, with dark skin and long beautiful black hair. That description is one of an Egyptian but in fact Cleopatra and all of her ancestors were Greek (Thomas 6). The founder of her royal family was Ptolemy I, who arrived in Egypt from Macedonia with his brother Alexander the Great (Hornblow 6). Ptolemy was a general in Alexander's army. After their army defeated the Egyptian forces Alexander took over the throne. During his possession of Egypt he founded a new capital and named it Alexandria after himself (6). Alex admired the Greek culture considerably, therefore causing the source of Egyptian art, culture and


Knowledge to be of Grecian influence (6). Due to Alex’s admiration of the Greek people Alexandria was built in Grecian style (Hornblow 7). Alexandria became one of the most prosperous cities in the world under Alexander’s rule and because the center of trade for three continents- Europe, Asia, and Africa (7). Alexander later died and his brother Ptolemy Auletes XI took over the throne. Ptolemy was very pessimistic. He wanted the blood of his royal family to remain Macedonian so he made a rule that brother and sisters were to marry each other and keep for themselves and their offspring the right to govern (7). The rule caused many difficulties due to the sharing of a kingdom by siblings. The rule led to weak rulers and horrible feud (7).
Ptolemy Auletes XI was a blood thirsty, power hungry man. These traits were later on passed down through his family and to his child born 69 BC named Cleopatra (Ludwig 213). Ptolemy was not only known for his cruelty, but his musical talent. According to historian Henry Thomas, Ptolemy was known for his musical talent, for he would play hi...