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NAME: Cleopatra VII Philopater a.k.a. Cleopatra
LIFETIME: Unknown – August 12, 30 B.C.
WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR: Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt, the only woman to rule in her own right. Aside from her beauty and elegance, she is also known for her affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
WHY WE LOVE HER: When Cleopatra was only 14, she became the joint regent and deputy of her father. Four years later, Cleopatra became Pharaoh of Egypt and the first woman who was not subordinate to a male ruler. Cleopatra was worshiped by the Egyptians as the reincarnation of the goddess Isis. She was forced into exile when she entered combat against the powerful Romans but began a secret relationship with Julius Caesar. She gave birth to a son and (unsuccessfully) encouraged Caesar to recognize him as his male heir. Although he would not recognize his son as heir, Caesar did back Cleopatra’s claim to the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra was living with Caesar in Rome when he was assassinated. Shortly after his death, she began a relationship with Caesar’s close friend Mark Antony. She gave birth to twins and the couple would marry a few years later. Because of the inspirational power that Cleopatra had, Rome feared that she would try to take over and relations between the two empires began to crumble. Antony committed suicide, and her son by Caesar was killed. Legend says that Cleopatra killed herself by an asp bite to the breast.
FUN FACT: Cleopatra lived closer to the invention of the iPhone than she did the building of the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
