Pictures of Cleopatra

The famous Cleopatra was the queen of Egypt at the time of the end of the Roman Republic. She is called the last pharaoh of Egypt because Rome took control of Egypt when Cleopatra died.

Cleopatra was from the line of Ptolemaic pharaohs of Egypt. These were Macedonian rulers who took control of Egypt when Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world. The Ptolemies were responsible for creating the wonderful museum and library at Alexandria that feature prominently in the story of the pagan woman philosopher Hypatia, who was destroyed viciously under the auspices of the Christian bishop Cyril of Alexandria about four centuries after out Egyptian queen.

Not too many monuments of Cleopatra remain because, although she captured the heart or at least the fancy of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, it was Octavian (Augustus) who became the first emperor of Rome following the assassination of Caesar and the suicide of Mark Antony. It was Augustus who sealed the fate of Cleopatra, destroyed her reputation, and took control of Ptolemaic Egypt. Cleopatra did get the last laugh, however, when she managed to commit suicide, instead of letting Augustus lead her as a prisoner through the streets of Rome in a victory parade.

• Cleopatra Overview
• Important Facts
• Discussion Questions
• What Did Cleopatra Look Like?
• Pictures
• Timeline
• Terms