That Slut, Cleopatra
- SAQWS
- Aug 16, 2018
- 3 min read
By: Monique Hollis
Cleopatra, though most of her historical facts consists of loose threads from a number myths and legends over the years. What stands the common thread among all the stories of Cleopatra, is her astounding beauty & intense intelligence.
Cleopatra took control of Egypt as Queen in 51 BC. At the young age of 18, she led her people as co-regent with her two younger brothers. She received her title as the last in the dynasty of Macedonian leaders (founded by Ptolemy XII, one of Alexander The Great’s general.)
As a woman in her time, Cleopatra was incredibly well-educated. She could speak a variety of languages and remained the queen of Egypt for three decades.
Her romantic relations are the most well-known, promoted in the Hollywood film Cleopatra (1963), her liaisons with Roman leaders Julius Caesar & Mark Antony, her beauty and powers of manipulation through seduction has made her one of the most-well known women in history.
The first of Cleopatra’s famous affairs was with the leader Caesar. She had one son with Caesar, whom Egypt named 'little Caesar', though the relationship was never fully known. Their relationship was unpopular with the roman senate, and their marriage was not realized by Romans, making Cleopatra Caessr’s mistress.
At the time, it was accepted that men were the correct rulers of state affairs and so Roman leaders became concerned by the control Cleopatra seemed to exert over Caesar. Caesar was murdered in forum of Ides in 44 BC, assassinated and passing the leadership to Mark Anthony.
The second affair, with Mark Anthony, occurred after she was called to explain her role in the death of Caesar, in Tarsus. Dressed as a Goddess in the exotic robes of Isis, she is described to have seduced him with her great beauty, courage and charisma. Anthony promised to protect her. He left his third wife and his children, for Queen Cleopatra.
Although the actual events leading to Cleopatra's suicide is unknown. After she buried Anthony; the popular historical belief is that she got bitten by a snake known at the time as an Asp, in order to remain a symbol of divine royalty, even after her death.
What we begin to see, is the making of the famous fable for the great storytellers, the likes of William Shakespeare (Anthony & Cleopatra in 1606) is only one example of how unique Cleopatra's legacy was . If we take a closer look we can begin to see how much control Cleopatra had over her public image.
Her strategies to restore her empire to its former glory, by making ties with two of Roman's great leaders, shows that she would stop at nothing, she was a queen before a lover, and a ruler above all else.
Cleopatra's rule was one that consistently aimed for the stability of her Egyptian people. She was not only the mother of her people, but a strong pharaoh to compete with the most powerful leaders of her time.
Although theories may arise about her right to her claims, and how she got what she wanted. What is clear is that she made her own way in a man’s world. She can stand as a great example of a courageous woman who stopped at nothing to help her people.
Her suicide was mourned by the masses. Her son was murdered soon after her death. The fact that she chose when to take her life is another example of her bravery.
We can all benefit from the example set by Queen Cleopatra. She shows the divine power of women if they understand their value and never doubted their right to rule.
Cleopatra stands as a great woman among men. Her valour puts her in good stead as a ruler who cared about her people’s well-fair. She was not a mother to her children, but a mother to her nation.
Though many attacked her, on almost all levels of her rule. She never faltered. Cleopatra was considered great, regardless of power of rumour during her time.
The specific attacks on her right to her crown are a good example of the fear she created for Romans at the time. The leaders who opposed her, were more afraid of her power than she probably knew.
References
https://digital.library.txstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10877/3334/fulltext.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
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