The Life of Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII has long been a figure of fascination, but it was reading Michael Grant's Cleopatra that truly reshaped my understanding of her. Far from the Hollywood seductress, Grant reveals a queen of contrasts: a shrewd political operator and a brilliant strategist who balanced Greek sophistication with Egyptian tradition.

He portrays her as a formidable leader and a deeply intelligent woman navigating an era of immense turmoil. While she failed to save her kingdom from Roman domination, her charisma, ambition, and legacy have ensured her place in history as one of its most compelling figures. He writes;

“She was not the great ruler of myth and legend, but she was a very remarkable woman in a world where her gender, culture, and position were stacked against her.”

In a world dominated by Roman power, Cleopatra’s ambition and resilience stood out, even as her legacy became entangled in myth. This newsletter dives into what I’ve learned from Grant’s insightful work, separating the enduring fiction from the astonishing facts of one of history’s most compelling figures. Let’s look at the timeline of her life.

I made a playlist for how I interpret the relationship of Antony and Cleopatra here. Listen while you read.

The Life of Cleopatra

69 BCE: Cleopatra VII is born in Alexandria, the daughter of Ptolemy XII, a king better known for his love of luxury than ruling. Cleopatra grows up in the decadent, intrigue-filled Ptolemaic court, where, according to Plutarch, “flattery and drunkenness were the currency of power.”

58 BCE: Daddy dearest, Ptolemy XII, is booted off the throne and scuttles off to Rome for protection, leaving Cleopatra and her siblings to watch Egypt descend into chaos.

55 BCE: Ptolemy XII buys his way back to power with Roman support (Getting himself in debt). Cicero, not a fan, later sneers that Cleopatra’s father was “the flute-playing king,” an insult referencing his penchant for revelry over rulership.

51 BCE: Cleopatra becomes queen at just 18, sharing the throne with her 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII. But let’s be honest—Cleopatra isn’t interested in “sharing” anything.

49 BCE: Cleopatra gets into a full-blown sibling spat with Ptolemy XIII’s advisers and is exiled from Alexandria. Rumor has it, she wasn’t one to back down, often quoting Homer to remind people she was destined for greatness.

48 BCE:

• Enter Julius Caesar. Cleopatra makes her legendary entrance by smuggling herself into his palace rolled up in a rug (or laundry bag—historians argue, but rugs sound more glamorous). Plutarch writes, “She came in a manner that was truly fitting for a goddess.”
• Cleopatra charms Caesar, and the two become lovers and allies. Caesar defeats her brother, Ptolemy XIII, in the Battle of the Nile, and the boy king conveniently drowns during his escape.

47 BCE: Cleopatra is back on the throne, now co-ruling with her even younger brother, Ptolemy XIV. She also gives birth to Caesarion, reportedly Julius Caesar’s son, though he never officially acknowledged him as his heir.

46 BCE: Cleopatra swans into Rome with Caesarion, living in Caesar’s villa across the Tiber. Her presence scandalizes Roman society. To them, she’s an exotic (read foreign) and dangerous femme fatale. According to Plutarch, “Her wit was as captivating as her beauty.”

44 BCE:

• Julius Caesar is assassinated in the Roman Senate. Cleopatra, in Rome at the time with her son Caesarion, is left vulnerable without her powerful protector. Her presence becomes even more controversial as whispers about Caesarion being Caesar’s heir begin to circulate. Cleopatra quickly flees Rome and returns to Egypt, determined to consolidate her power.
• Back in Alexandria, Ptolemy XIV mysteriously dies—rumored to have been poisoned by Cleopatra to ensure Caesarion’s uncontested position as her co-ruler. With her son officially by her side, Cleopatra positions herself as both the queen of Egypt and the mother of Caesar’s only child, presenting herself as a powerful symbol of continuity between Rome and Egypt.

43 BCE: The Roman Republic descends into chaos following Caesar’s death. A power struggle begins between his assassins (Brutus and Cassius) and the Second Triumvirate, formed by Mark Antony, Octavian (Caesar’s adopted heir), and Lepidus. Cleopatra watches from afar, carefully gauging her next move.

42 BCE:

• Mark Antony and Octavian defeat Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi. With the assassins dead, Antony assumes control of Rome’s eastern territories, including Egypt. Antony needs Cleopatra’s wealth to fund his ambitions and summons her to Tarsus (modern-day Turkey) to explain her loyalty—or lack thereof—to Caesar’s cause.
• Cleopatra, ever the strategist, knows this is an opportunity to cement her power. She doesn’t just comply—she stages an entrance so dramatic it makes Antony forget why he summoned her. She sails to Tarsus on a gilded barge with purple sails, reclining beneath a canopy dressed as the goddess Isis. The air is filled with the scent of incense, and her attendants—dressed as nymphs—fan her with golden feathers. Plutarch describes the scene: “The very sails were perfumed, and the oars were of silver, keeping time to the music of flutes and lyres.”

41 BCE:

• Cleopatra’s theatrics work. Antony, overwhelmed by her charisma and wit, becomes infatuated. The pair spend the winter of 41–40 BCE together in Alexandria, indulging in lavish feasts and wild celebrations. Plutarch writes, “She had an irresistible charm, and her conversation was delightful.” Antony is bewitched not only by Cleopatra’s beauty but also by her intelligence and political acumen.
• Cleopatra doesn’t just seduce Antony—she offers him a partnership. He needs her wealth; she needs his military support. Together, they see themselves as the rulers of a new empire, blending Egyptian opulence with Roman might.

40 BCE:

• Antony leaves Cleopatra to return to Rome, where political chaos awaits. To strengthen his alliance with Octavian, Antony marries Octavia, Octavian’s sister, despite his deep feelings for Cleopatra. This betrayal is both personal and political, leaving Cleopatra to rule Egypt alone for the next three years.
• During Antony’s absence, Cleopatra gives birth to twins: Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. She names them after the sun and moon, reinforcing her divine connection as Isis incarnate. Antony, despite his marriage to Octavia, acknowledges the children as his own—a scandal that shocks Roman society.

There isn't much written about Cleopatra from 39BC - 37BC as if she is only relevant in the eyes of what Roman soldier she's sleeping with, but any woman can imagine what she must have felt...

39BC

By 39 BCE, Cleopatra was sitting pretty on the throne of Egypt, proving herself to be one of the savviest queens in history. From managing Egypt’s wealth to keeping Rome on its toes, Cleopatra was the queen everyone was whispering about. Whether they adored her or hated her no one could doubt that she was a great ruler. During this lonely period, while Mark Antony was off playing the dutiful Roman husband to Octavia and ghosting Cleopatra, she did what any heartbroken single momma would do and threw herself into her work and her children. She ruled Egypt like a boss.

Egypt’s Golden Era Under Cleopatra

Thanks to the Nile’s generous flooding, Egypt’s grain fields were bursting with life, making the country one of the richest in the Mediterranean. Plutarch tells us that Egypt “supplied grain to keep Rome’s people alive,” which meant Cleopatra wasn’t just a queen—she was Rome’s secret meal ticket.

Her trade game was on point, too. Cleopatra expanded her influence beyond Egypt, sending ships filled with goods to Arabia, Nubia, and India. Gold, spices, and exotic luxuries poured into Alexandria, which, let’s face it, made her kingdom the envy of the ancient world. “Her treasury gleamed with silver and gold,” wrote the Roman historian Cassius Dio, who begrudgingly admitted that Cleopatra was no ordinary queen.

The Queen of the People

Cleopatra knew how to connect with the Egyptians, and she wasn’t afraid to play up her woman of the people vibes. She embraced the role of the goddess Isis, presenting herself as Egypt’s protector and nurturer. According to Plutarch, Cleopatra’s charm wasn’t just skin deep: “Her voice was like a melody, capable of soothing even the harshest hearts.”

Many Egyptians adored her for maintaining their traditions and keeping Egypt prosperous, but let’s not pretend she didn’t have her detractors. Some members of the old priestly elite were salty about a Greek woman claiming to embody their goddess. And Rome was not a fan. Cicero, ever the hater, once wrote, “I detest the queen,” and sneered that she thought herself equal to Roman leaders. (He might have been bitter that Cleopatra ignored his attempts to impress her.)

Alexandria: The Capital of the Ancient World

While ruling her kingdom, Cleopatra also turned Alexandria into the place to be. Bustling markets, glittering temples, and the Library of Alexandria filled with scholars from every corner of the known world. Cleopatra wasn’t just a ruler—she was a cultural icon. She patronized the arts and surrounded herself with brilliant minds. Some gossip even suggested she hosted extravagant dinners where philosophers and poets mingled with courtiers, sipping wine as they debated the mysteries of the universe. The ultimate hostess.

Challenges?

Of course, even Cleopatra had her headaches. She had to deal with some internal grumblings—remember, not everyone in Egypt was thrilled about the Ptolemies, a Greek dynasty ruling an Egyptian land. But Cleopatra wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. “She was feared more than she was loved,” mused Cassius Dio, but you know what? Fear keeps the haters in check.

Then there was Rome. While Antony and Octavian were patching up their bromance back in Rome, Cleopatra kept her eye on the prize. She knew Egypt’s independence hung by a thread, and her alliance with Antony was her ace in the hole. But Antony had left her high and dry for three years, and Cleopatra was no fool—she knew she needed to stay strong in his absence.

The Twins Scandal

During Antony’s ghosting, Cleopatra cared for the twins: Alexander Helios (sun) and Cleopatra Selene (moon). Antony might have been playing family man with Octavia, but he was quick to claim the twins as his own, much to the horror of Roman society as bigamy was not tolerated. This was the scandal of 39 BCE—imagine the Roman tabloids screaming, “Antony’s Double Life!” Cleopatra, meanwhile, milked the situation for all it was worth, using her children to solidify her ties to Antony and the Roman world.

How Cleopatra Kept It Together

While Antony played politics, Cleopatra ruled like a queen who had everything under control. Egypt was thriving, and the people (mostly) loved her for it. She was wealthy, powerful, and smart enough to keep Egypt out of Rome’s clutches. And let’s not forget, she was building her legacy as the mother of a dynasty that she hoped would outshine Rome itself 😢.

Plutarch summed it up best: “She knew how to use her power, her charm, and her wealth to her advantage, bending even the greatest of men to her will.” Cleopatra wasn’t just surviving—she was thriving, and the world couldn’t stop talking about her.

37 BCE:

• Antony, struggling to maintain control in the East and estranged from Octavian, comes crawling back to Cleopatra. Their reunion in Antioch is passionate and strategic. Cleopatra brings not only her wealth but also her influence, becoming Antony’s most important ally. To demonstrate his commitment, Antony marries Cleopatra according to Egyptian rites (an act invalid under Roman law but symbolically powerful).
• The couple have another child, Ptolemy Philadelphus, further intertwining their legacies. Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra—and his increasing dependence on her wealth—deepens the rift with Octavian.

34 BCE:

• The infamous Donations of Alexandria scandalizes Rome. Think of it as Cleopatra claiming child support, only she took a big chunk of the Roman territories, especially the ones with resources like timber and dates. Atta girl!
• In a grand ceremony, Antony and Cleopatra divide Eastern territories among their children, crowning Caesarion as “King of Kings” and declaring him Julius Caesar’s true heir. Cleopatra is proclaimed “Queen of Kings.” Octavian uses this as propaganda, painting Antony as a traitor enthralled by an “eastern seductress.”
• Remember that Rome was anti monarchy, all about a republic and feared her influence would create an Emperor (which it inadvertently did).

31 BCE: The infamous lovers face Octavian at the Battle of Actium. Cleopatra allegedly flees the battle early with her ships to head back to the safety of her country and Antony follows her, abandoning his fleet. He was too love sick. Plutarch remarks, “This marked the beginning of their ruin.”

30 BCE:

• Octavian invades Egypt. Antony, hearing false reports of Cleopatra’s death, falls on his sword. Mortally wounded, he is brought to Cleopatra’s tomb, where he dies in her arms.
• Cleopatra tries to negotiate with Octavian, but when it becomes clear he plans to parade her as a trophy in Rome, she chooses death. Plutarch claims she used a venomous asp hidden in a basket of figs, though some suspect poison.
• Cleopatra dies at 39, leaving Octavian to turn Egypt into a Roman province and become the first Emperor.

Cleopatra and Antony’s love affair wasn’t just a romance—it was a power play that rewrote the rules of both Egyptian and Roman politics. For Cleopatra, Antony was a means to secure her dynasty’s survival. For Antony, Cleopatra represented both his greatest strength and, ultimately, his greatest weakness. Their union shocked, scandalized, and captivated the ancient world, setting the stage for their tragic downfall.