Some Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great”

(Preview Version)

You see, there is no basis for adding “the Great” to her name. Nor is it right to call her Cleopatra VII or
even Cleopatra Philopater (Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ, "Cleopatra the father-beloved"). But it is just as
wrong to merely call her just “Cleopatra” because she stands out against all others of the same Seleucid
name. On the other hand, it is convenient to do so and is done here.

Likely the most accurate representation of her appearance

we have: a quality bust found in an Italian villa probably
created during her time in Rome in 46–44 BCE.

The truth is, we know so very little about her. Early on, history recorded her very unfavorably because it
was Romans who wrote her history and whose history was retained. Then, over time, that sparse and
highly biased history became “Romanticized” even more than it was “Romanized”. Modern historians
continue to argue that she was Macedonian because she descended from Ptolemy Soter (I), a
Macedonian who was one of the seven somatophylakes (bodyguards) and a general of Alexander the
Great (who clearly deserves the appellation). But Cleopatra was born 250 years and at least ten
generations of Egyptian-living ancestors after Ptolemy moved to Egypt. Does anyone call Abraham
Lincoln an Englishman since his forefathers came to America from England in 1683?

Cleopatra was an Egyptian, more because she chose to be than because of her Egyptian, Syrian, Greek,
Macedonian, Seleucid, and unknown other ancestries (we don’t know who her mother was). Of all the
Ptolemies that preceded her, she was the only one Egyptian enough to learn the language of those she
ruled. And, if there’s any one valid conclusion we can draw from her known life it is that she loved Egypt.

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 1
 “[When she selected] the elephant’s head as her own insignia Cleopatra was making a
powerful visual statement that she was in spirit, if not heritage, entirely African. In
reality, she was much more than that.”1

We may also deduce that she was smart, wily, cunning, shrewd, and well educated. She grew up in a
household that included the greatest academic institution of her time, and perhaps the greatest ever.
Yes, the Great Library of Alexandria was part of the Mouseion (a place dedicated to the Muses, a
museum) that was part of the palace complex of her family. A gathering place for scholars with a huge
and very diverse collection of “books” (often in scroll form), the Great Library was essentially hers (it was
started by Ptolemy Soter). There is every indication that she made good use of it because history records
that she was fluent in perhaps a dozen languages. History merely suggests that she was also a
seductress. We’ll come back to that in a bit…

It is impossible to grasp what her childhood must have been like. Her father was a degenerate who
married her. The marriage part was traditional so that’s not why he was thought to be a degenerate 2. He
was Ptolemy Theos Philopater Philadelphus Neos Dionysos Auletes (aka Ptolemy XII) and he was simply
known as Auletes, meaning the “flute player”. As it is doubtful that he played the flute when born,
“Auletes is a non-family cognomen added later in life (and was not part of his official name). The “Neos
Dioysos” or “new Dionysos” epithet implied his divine status as the god of winemaking. He was the first
of the Ptolemies to deem himself a god and perhaps meant himself to be the god of wine-drinking.
Later, Cleopatra would deem herself “Neos Isis” (the new goddess of fertility and motherhood).

Auletes was considered an illegitimate royal by many because his mother was not the wife of the
Pharaoh Ptolemy Soter II. His childhood was spent on the island of Cos because he wasn’t safe in Egypt 3
and his grandmother (“Cleopatra III”) was downright evil. But it was her who made him king of Egypt in
80 BCE. But then a will showed up in Rome in which Ptolemy Alexander II supposedly bequeathed Egypt
to Rome. In order to secure his throne, Auletes bribed Pompey, Cicero, and Julius Caesar with as much
as 10,000 talents of gold (and relinquishing Cyprus) so that Caesar (consul in 59 BCE) passed a law
acknowledging Auletes’ kingship of Egypt. But those acts infuriated the people of Egypt and they drove
the disliked Auletes out of Egypt (making Queen Tryphaeana, and her daughter, Berenice IV, co-rulers).
Auletes fled to Rome with Cleopatra and lived in Pompey’s villa while he borrowed large sums with
promises of Egyptian riches so that he could bribe powerful Romans to return him to the throne. Some
thought that he also used his daughter as a “bribe” as well.

The bribes worked and the Roman Senate passed a resolution “supporting” Aulete’s right to the throne,
but offered him no support in regaining it. Auletes went to Syria where Aulus Gabinius was proconsul
and with a bribe of 10,000 talents, Auletes was able to return to Egypt with the Roman army of Gabinius
behind him. Finally, in 55 BCE, he succeeded in ousting his daughter Berenice (Tryphaeana had died in
57 BCE) and had her executed. As Egyptian tradition required him to have a co-regent/wife, he married
Cleopatra (at the age of 14). Auletes further diminished Egyptian wealth through taxation and debasing

1
“The Lost Treasure of King Juba…” by Frank Joseph, Simon and Schuster (2003), p. 4
2
Contemporary descriptions of Auletes portray him as a corrupt, weak, self-indulgent, drunken, and licentious bad
ruler.
3
And he wasn’t safe in Cos either because he was captured there by Mithradates VI Eupator, ruler of Pontus, in 88
BCE.

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its currency. Cleopatra was officially named co-regent in 52 (at the age of 17) and Auletes died in 51.
Cleopatra took her younger brother (Ptolemy XIII) as co-regent.

Having been favored by her hated father, Cleopatra’s rule began in trouble. The Egyptians were
rightfully a very unhappy people who had Romans seeking and acting to take control of Egypt in order to
collect their debts. Cleopatra’s enemies used her brother to oust her and she was forced to flee
Alexandria late in 49 BCE. By the spring of 48, she and her younger sister Arsinoe (IV) were in Syria
gathering an army. It is unclear where she got the funds for such, but with her army, they returned to
Pelusium at the border of Egypt preparing to invade. Then, along came the Romans.

Caesar had defeated Pompey the Great, and Pompey headed for Alexandria seeking refuge and
assistance. Instead, he was murdered. Caesar was in pursuit and arrived soon after Pompey only to be
presented with Pompey’s head by the young Ptolemy. Caesar was angered by this foolish move and
sought to reconcile the siblings. But Ptolemy’s forces held Pelusium and he was confident that Cleopatra
was stuck there. That was also foolish because she managed to enter Alexandria, sneak into the palace
where Caesar was (traditionally, but unhistorically rolled inside a rug), and gain his favor (traditionally,
but unhistorically by seduction).

Cleopatra didn’t need to seduce Caesar (not that she couldn’t or wouldn’t). Caesar had undoubtedly met
her as a younger girl in Rome when he was acting on behalf of her father. Caesar was angry with the
foolish youngster who had killed the Great Pompey. Cleopatra was clearly the better choice for ruler of
Egypt and so Caesar chose her for such. Ptolemy, still being poorly guided by his advisors, decided to
attack Caesar and his small force. Caesar and Cleopatra were under siege together in the palace for
months whereupon she became pregnant. She was also, in no small part, responsible for saving their
lives. Thus, when relief finally arrived and Ptolemy was defeated and died, Caesar and Cleopatra were
far more than co-captives. (Caesar had no son and apparently hung around until the birth of his first and
only son, Caesarion). Cleopatra was named Queen and her next younger brother became her passive co-
regent. Caesar returned Cyprus to Egypt, and it seems that a large part of Egypt’s debt was quashed.
Cleopatra was off to a new and fortuitous rule of Egypt.

Only two years later (in 46 BCE), she was off to Rome to be warmly welcomed and greatly feared. She
brought Caesarion with her and they lived in Caesar’s “palace” (his villa Horti Caesaris while Caesar’s
wife, Calpurnia, lived in their city house, the Regia). It was an audacious an ultimately foolish move by
Caesar as it gave his opponents two avenues of attack against him: he violated traditional values of
matrimony and increased fears of new and unwanted Egyptian influence in Rome.

While Romans tolerated and sometimes even encouraged extramarital relationships, those were done
under certain unwritten rules. And there were distinctions for several circumstances including a sonless
man of power and relations with non-Roman royals. Caesar had numerous adulterous relationships
throughout his marriages (Calpurnia was his third or fourth wife) including a long term sustained affair
with Servilia (Cato’s daughter and Brutus’ mother). He had affairs with foreign royals and such relations
were often seen as beneficial to Rome. Rome would have largely welcomed an “illegitimate” son of
Caesar through a prominent Roman woman who he could adopt as his heir. Less so, a son from a foreign
royal who was seen as posing no threat to Rome would have been acceptable. But to bring Cleopatra to
Rome with their son and house them on the city’s edge (outside the walls just across the Tiber) was just
short of too offensive. (Inside the city would have “crossed the line”).

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The only reason Cleopatra gained the acceptance she did was because she was a “friend and ally of the
Roman People”. Back in 59 BCE, the Roman Senate had not only officially recognized Auletes as King of
Egypt, Caesar (as consul), had passed a law that designated Auletes as a “friend and ally of the people of
Rome (amici et socii populi Romani). This status would have been retained by his heir and successor.
That status could have been readily revoked, but with Caesar increasing in power, that wasn’t going to
happen. (Caesar became dictator in 44). That Caesar kept Cleopatra in his palace was bad enough, but
when he started erecting statues of her in the city (a privilege only granted to a couple of Roman women
before) more ire was raised.

Cleopatra’s influence over Caesar was such that those who knew him thought she had him under some
kind of “spell” or potion4. While Cleopatra was an expert in such things, it is far more likely that she
merely charmed Caesar into compliance. But the real issue wasn’t actually Cleopatra and Caesar. What
had the Roman elite most worried was Caesarion, the son of Caesar.

No toddler has had more effect on human history than Caesarion. It was his presence in Rome that was
a major cause, if not the major cause, of Caesar’s assassination. (We can hardly imagine the effect on
history had Caesar not been killed). The reason for this was the fear that Caesar would confirm that
Caesarion was his son and heir. The fact that he didn’t or hadn’t was proof that he was not under
Cleopatra’s spell or potion as she would have wanted nothing than that. His reasons are unknown, but it
seems likely if not apparent that he was working from an abundance of caution. He knew he was about
to declare himself as dictator and once he was secure in that position, he could have then acknowledge
formally what he had acknowledged informally – an Egyptian would be his designated successor.

Once Caesar had been killed, Cleopatra knew that she and her son were at great risk as well. She had to
remain in Rome long enough to know whether Caesar had named Caesarion as his heir, but once she
was informed of the Senate’s forged will, she knew that she must leave promptly and did so. A few
vaguely recorded but critical facts need to be considered in this context:

 Mark Antony had known Cleopatra from her time in Syria (he was part of Gabinius’ army). Later,
he would write that it was then that he first fell in love with her. He was Caesar’s “right-hand
man” while Cleopatra was in Rome and would have been around Cleopatra.
 Mark Antony knew that Calpurnia had Caesar’s will and after her husband’s murder, she took it
to him.
 It is recorded that Marc Antony (as consul) was in control of Caesar’s estate after Caesar’s
murder. It is also recorded that the assassins wanted to kill him as well but were dissuaded from
doing so by Brutus.
 Before a will was presented, the Senate had already given in to the assassins. Marc Antony was
in a very precarious position and had to know that the tipping point for the assassins was
Caesarion. If Caesar’s actual will had named Caesarion as heir, Antony simply could not present
it to the Senate.
 The reports that Piso (Calpurnia’s father) brought Caesar’s will to the Senate must have been
faked.
o Marc Antony, who would have read Caesar’s will, needed bargaining power with the
“Liberators” (the assassins) and their Senate supporters.
4
Some described it as an “erotic spell” and Cleopatra as a “sexual athlete”. Her interest in potions was well
documented.

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 o He turned the tide against them in a gamble that paid off – He created a will giving the
Roman people the bulk of Caesar’s estate and accepted Cicero’s choice for heir –
Octavian. (There was no chance with Caesar dead that Caesarion would be accepted as
his heir and given the situation, Antony and Cicero needed an heir acceptable to all and
who was a threat to none).
o Antony reasonably believed that Octavian’s parents would convince Octavian to decline
the inheritance. But even if he accepted it, he was unlikely to gain any power. (Octavian
outwitted everybody by rallying Caesar’s troops behind him by changing his name to
Caesar and convincing those troops that he was Caesar’s heir. After all, that was what
the Senate was saying publicly).
 Antony successfully turned the Roman people against the assassins and they were forced to flee
Rome immediately. (The rioting citizens went so far as to kill someone not involved because he
had the same name as one of the assassins). But Antony was so “successful” in returning public
support for the Caesarians that they accepted Octavian as the new Caesar.
 After Antony’s army was defeated in battle by Octavian, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus brokered an
agreement between Antony and Octavian where the three of them formed the second
triumvirate (November of 43).

Not long after the start of the second triumvir, Antony and Cleopatra met in Tarsus and became
“partners” (41 BCE). She bore him twins the following year. This seems to have panicked the Roman
Senate and by Senatorial decree, Antony was married to Octavia, Octavian’s sister in October of 40 (his
third wife Fulvia had died shortly before). The urgency of this marriage is highlighted by the need to be
approved by the Senate since Octavia was pregnant with her first husband's child. Although the
marriage was a politically motivated attempt to cement the uneasy alliance between Octavian and
Antony, Octavia was reputedly a loyal and faithful wife to Antony. Between 40 and 36 she travelled with
Antony to various provinces, lived with him in his Athenian mansion, bore him two children (Antonia
Major in 39 and Antonia Minor in 36), and supported his missions in the east.

In late 37 Cleopatra visited Antony at Antioch (in Syria) where he was making final preparations for war
against the Parthians. Cleopatra returned as a major focus of Antony’s plans, and she became pregnant
with his child. Before leaving Antioch, Antony rewarded her with the “Donations of Antiochia” in 36. Due
to Octavian’s control of the writing of history, the Donations of Antiochia are far less known but were of
greater importance than the better known “Donations of Alexandria” (three years later). Of greatest
significance, the donations in 36 BCE were approved by both Octavian and the Roman Senate and were
granted while Antony was still officially empowered to do so.

These grants of land should be viewed in light of Egypt’s unique position among Roman allied states:
“Egypt was not so much a vassal as an autonomous, allied and protected kingdom, the like of which had
not appeared within the Roman orbit before.” 5 To some extent, these “donatiions” or grants were mere
affirmations of land Cleopatra held rights to such as the city of Kyrene in Libya. Cleopatra received
estates on Crete and several strongholds in Syria and the Levant, including Judea. While Sidon and Tyre
were not granted to Cleopatra, she claimed them nonetheless. After the donations, Cleopatra issued

5
“Queen of Kings: Cleopatra VII and the Donations of Alexandria” by Rolf Strootman, from “Kingdoms and
principalities in the Roman Near East” Ed. by M. Facella and T. Kaizer, Occidens et Oriens 19 (Stuttgart: Franz
Steiner Verlag (2010), pp. 139–158 citing “Cleopatra” by Michael Grant, London (1972), p. 141-2.

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coins in Arados, Tripolis, Berytos, Damascus, Ptolemais-Ake, and Askalon 6 indicating the scope of the
grants.

After the donations, still in 36, Cleopatra joined Antony in his journey toward Parthia going as far the
Euphrates River (the border with Parthia). Then, by summer and in mid-pregnancy, she began her return
to Egypt. Instead of taking the direct sea route, Cleopatra chose to head home through the Levant
establishing her dominion over her new territories. (She knew them from her prior time there). She
made “royal appearances” in Apameia, Damascus, Jerico, and Jerusalem where she met with her new
vassal Herod “the Great”.7 Cleopatra apparently reached Alexandria in time to give birth to her second
son with Antony, Ptolemy Philadelphus.

As for Octavia, she returned to Rome from Athens and was believed to have been treated with scorn.
Her brother ordered her to dwell in her own house, but she chose to stay in Antony’s house and urged
Octavian to ignore Antony's behavior and avoid plunging her country into civil war. She defiantly lived in
Antony’s house and cared for his children, both her own and those Fulvia had borne him. She also
received those sent by Antony seeking office or assistance and helped them gain approval by her
brother. For this loyalty, she was greatly admired among Romans.

Unfortunately for her, however, Antony clearly favored Cleopatra over his Octavia. His relationship with
Cleopatra was essentially bigamy (a rather vague concept to Romans) and seemingly offended Octavian
more than Octavia. Antony retained his dream and goal of conquering Persia and Cleopatra was his
means to do so. She provided him with vast resources in that effort with the presumption of mutual
benefit and return. Their shared purpose – to conquer Persia - was based upon another larger purpose:
gaining power in Rome. If Antony had taken Persia, he and Cleopatra would have become far more
powerful than Octavian.

Again, it is a strong indication of Antony’s continued power in Rome and the Roman hopes of
conquering Persia, that he won approval from both Octavian and the Senate for his “Donations of
Antiochia” as a reward for Cleopatra’s support 8. Of course, the desired outcome never materialized as
Antony failed in his Persian conquest (even with massive support from Cleopatra). The reasons for that
are the subject of much historical discussion and debate, but it seems that Antony fell into a trap of
hedonism that diverted his focus from military matters. He returned to Alexandria focused on his
success against Armenia (which had surrendered without opposition). He and Cleopatra took to partying
and excess which included the “Donations of Alexandria”.

The event during which the donations were specified is described by Plutarch in a work showing distinct
signs of Octavian’s propaganda:

“[Antony] was hated, too, for the distribution which he made to his children in
Alexandria; it was seen to be theatrical and arrogant, and to evince hatred of Rome. For
after filling the gymnasium with a throng and placing on a tribunal of silver two thrones

6
“Antiquities of the Jews”, Josephus, 15.4.88-96; see “A History of the Ptolemaic Empire” by G. Holbl, Routledge
(2001), p. 242, n. 102.
7
“Antiquities by Plutarch, 36.3-4; “Roman History” by Dio Cassius, 49.32-1-5; “Antiquities of the Jews” by Josephus,
15.4.96.
8
Antony was elected as Roman consul for the second time to serve from 1 January 34 BCE to end of the year
(with: L. Scribonius Libo).

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 of gold, one for himself and the other for Cleopatra, and other lower thrones for his
sons, in the first place he declared Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and Coele
Syria, and she was to share her throne with Caesarion. Caesarion was believed to be a
son of the former Caesar, by whom Cleopatra was left pregnant. In the second place, he
proclaimed his own sons by Cleopatra Kings of Kings, and to Alexander he allotted
Armenia, Media and Parthia (when he should have subdued it), to Ptolemy Phoenicia,
Syria, and Cilicia. At the same time he also produced his sons, Alexander arrayed in
Median garb, which included a tiara and upright head-dress, Ptolemy in boots, short
cloak, and broad-brimmed hat surmounted by a diadem. For the latter was the dress of
the kings who followed Alexander, the former that of Medes and Armenians. And when
the boys had embraced their parents, one was given a bodyguard of Armenians, the
other of Macedonians. Cleopatra, indeed, both then and at other times when she
appeared in public, assumed a robe sacred to Isis, and was addressed as the New Isis.” 9

Not surprisingly, Plutarch does not mention that Cleopatra Selene got Cyrenaica and Libya. As for
Cleopatra, she was also proclaimed Queen of Kings. Most important of all, Caesarion was declared to
be the legitimate son and heir of Caesar.

“[The Donations of Alexandria in 33] did not make any fundamental changes to the status quo of the
administration. The area under Cleopatra’s control remained just as it was in 36. The vassal-rulers
retained their positions. … The Roman proconsul continued to administer Syria while Armenia and
Cyrene remained garrisoned by Roman legions.” 10 But Octavian did not greet the news of the Donations
of Alexandria with a positive response. In that ceremony, Marc Antony proclaimed Caesarion to be a
god, son of a god, and "King of Kings" as well as Caesar's true son and heir.

There was nothing Octavian could fear more than the revelation that Caesarion was the legitimate heir
of Caesar. Octavian used his position and wealth to stir up Roman resentment against Antony and used
the Donations of Alexandria to stoke fear that Antony intended to make Rome a vassal state of Egypt.
He hoped to gain support for war against Antony and Cleopatra and succeeded. Octavian led the Senate
to renounce the Second Triumvirate so that it expired on the last day of 33. 

Between 33 and 32 Octavian continued his verbal assaults on Antony who made the mistake of
divorcing Octavia (who was perhaps even more popular in Rome than her brother). Remaining in Egypt,
Antony openly accused Octavian of usurping power by forging the will and adoption papers of Caesar.
Octavian responded with treason charges against Antony. The civil war began. Cleopatra made the
mistake of trusting Antony with managing that war while Octavian wisely let Agrippa lead his. Antony
was defeated (mostly at sea) in 31 BCE at Actium and, following that loss, the ultimate defeat became
clear. When Octavian subsequently prepared to invade Egypt the following year, Caesarion was sent by
sea to India along with vast treasure.

The stories of the deaths of Antony and Cleopatra are told frequently in history while few facts are
known. The last Ptolemaic Pharaoh of Egypt remained: Ptolemy XV Philopator Caesar (Caesarion).
Octavian sent messengers to suggest a “truce” with the promise that Egypt would be his to rule.

9
“Plutarch's Lives” by Plutarch with an English Translation by Bernadotte Perrin, Harvard University Press (1920), p.
9.
10
“A History of the Ptolemaic Empire” by Gunther Holbl, Routledge (2001), p. 244.

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Caesarion’s tutor, Rhodon, persuaded him to return to Alexandria and Octavian had him executed. He
also.

Before she managed suicide in mid-August of 30, Cleopatra had been allowed to conduct Antony's burial
rites. Octavian had Antony’s son, Antyllus, murdered in Rome but spared Julius Antonius, son of Antony
and Fulvia. He also spared Antony's three children by Cleopatra, Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene, and
the infant Ptolemy, and took them back to Rome to be paraded through the streets of Rome in heavy
chains. The boys subsequently perished through unknown causes, but Selene would be raised by Octavia
and was married to Juba II to become Queen of Mauretania.

The vast treasure of Caesarion was never found.

[End]

Notes: (Included in this preview for Maria, just so she knows something about my research)

Caesar, was sent by his mother, with much treasure, into India, by way of Ethiopia. There Rhodon,
another tutor like Theodorus, persuaded him to go back, on the ground that [Octavian] Caesar invited
him to take the kingdom." However, some scholars think Plutarch's account should not be taken
literally. There is some corroborating sources from India, however, that shouldn't be overlooked. I wrote
about it in my 2010 blog post "Caesarion: Victim of the wicked who whispered 'Too Many Caesars.'

https://ancientimes.blogspot.com/2010/12/caesarion-victim-of-wicked-who.html  

Mary Harrsch

1. Marriage to first paternal cousin Antonia Hybrida Minor. According to Plutarch, Antony threw
her out of his house in Rome because she slept with his friend, the tribune Publius Cornelius
Dolabella. This occurred by 47 BC and Antony divorced her. By Antonia, he had a daughter:

o Antonia, married the wealthy Greek Pythodoros of Tralles.

Iullus Antonius, married Claudia Marcella the Elder, daughter of Octavia.

 Cleopatra Selene II, married King Juba II of Numidia and later Mauretania; the queen
of Syria, Zenobia of Palmyra, was reportedly descended from Selene and Juba II.

1. Antonia, born 50 BC, had 1 child

A. Pythodorida of Pontus, 30 BC or 29 BC – 38 AD, had 3 children

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I. Artaxias III, King of Armenia, 13 BC – 35 AD, died without issue

II. Polemon II, King of Pontus, 12 BC or 11 BC – 74 AD, died without issue

III. Antonia Tryphaena, Queen of Thrace, 10 BC – 55 AD, had 4 children

a. Rhoemetalces II, King of Thrace, died 38 AD, died without issue

b. Gepaepyris, Queen of the Bosporan Kingdom, had 2 children

i. Tiberius Julius Mithridates, King of the Bosporan Kingdom, died 68 AD, died without issue

ii. Tiberius Julius Cotys I, King of the Bosporan Kingdom, had 1 child

3. Iullus Antonius, 43–2 BC, had 3 children

A. Antonius, died young, no issue

B. Lucius Antonius, 20 BC – 25 AD, issue unknown

C. Iulla Antonia ?? born after 19 BC, issue unknown

5. Cleopatra Selene, Queen of Mauretania, 40 BC – 6 AD, had 2 children

A. Ptolemy, King of Mauretania, 1 BC – 40 AD, had 1 child

I. Drusilla, 38–79 AD, had 1 child

a. Gaius Julius Alexion, King of Emesa, had 1 child

B. Julia, born around 9 BC

7. Antonia Minor, 36 BC – 37 AD, had 3 children

A. Germanicus Julius Caesar, 15 BC – 19 AD, had 6 children

I. Nero Julius Caesar Germanicus, 6–30 AD, died without issue

II. Drusus Julius Caesar Germanicus, 8–33 AD, died without issue

III. Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula), 12–41 AD, had 1 child;

a. Julia Drusilla, 39–41 AD, died young

IV. Julia Agrippina (Agrippina the Younger), 15–59 AD, had 1 child;

a. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 37–68 AD, had 1 child;

i. Claudia Augusta, January 63 AD – April 63 AD, died young

V. Julia Drusilla, 16–38 AD, died without issue

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VI. Julia Livilla, 18–42 AD, died without issue

B. Claudia Livia Julia (Livilla), 13 BC – 31 AD, had three children

I. Julia Livia, 7–43 AD, had 4 children

a. Rubellius Plautus, 33–62 AD, had several children[158]

b. Gaius Rubellius Blandus

c. Rubellius Drusus

II. Tiberius Julius Caesar Nero Gemellus, 19–37 or 38 AD, died without issue

III. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Germanicus II Gemellus, 19–23 AD, died young

C. Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, 10 BC – 54 AD, had 4 children

I. Tiberius Claudius Drusus, died young

II. Claudia Antonia, c. 30–66 AD, had 1 child

a. a son, died young

III. Claudia Octavia, 39 or 40–62 AD, died without issue

 Plutarch's Parallel Lives: "Antony" ~ Internet Classics Archive  (MIT)

 Plutarch's Parallel Lives: "Pompey" ~ Internet Classics Archive (MIT)

 Plutarch's Parallel Lives: "Life of Antony" – Loeb Classical Library edition, 1920

 Plutarch's Parallel Lives: "The Comparison of Demetrius and Antony" ~ Internet Classics

Archive (MIT)

She alone of all the Ptolemies was fluent in many languages,

including Egyptian (the tongue of their own subjects, which few of them deigned

to learn), Ethiopian, Arabic, Syrian, Parthian, and Medean.

Cleopatra was obsessed with the Eastern dream,

known in her day as Hellenism. Its proponents envisioned a world dominated by

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 10
the cult of the Egyptian mother-goddess Eset, or Isis, as she was known to the

Greeks. And it was the Greek Cleopatra who, as the reigning monarch of Egypt,

was revered, not just as the cult’s high priestess, but also as the actual goddess

herself in human flesh.

She learned to speak fluent

Hebrew, and among her first acts as queen was to command the construction of a

new city synagogue at state expense.

One cannot overestimate the importance and power of the Isiac

brotherhood [cult of Isis]. It threatened at one time to become the

principle [sic] religion of the world, while it aimed at a more intimate

control of the state through its closely knit organization. Cleopatra was

an instrument through which this aim might be achieved. And

Cleopatra reciprocally made use of the cult and her titular role in it to

further her own ambition for world power. It was on entering his office

of Aedileship that Julius Caesar first became associated with the

strength of the secret societies. When he became dictator and

suppressed the so-called democratic clubs, saying there was no place

in a well-ordered state for an occult government, he refrained from

attacking the Isiac fraternities. In Egypt, he had had the opportunity of

discussing with the High Pontiff of Isis the cooperation of the Isiac

societies, should he ever embark on his worldwide campaign, so even

reckoning without Cleopatra’s influence, his sanction and protection of

the Isiac cult was understandable.

Beatrice Chanler, Cleopatra's Daughter, the Queen of Mauretania (New York: Liveright Publishing Corp.,
1934) https://books.google.com/books?id=2zI_AQAAIAAJ&q=%22beatrice+chanler%22+Cleopatra
%27s+Daughter,+the+Queen+of+Mauretania&dq=%22beatrice+chanler%22+Cleopatra%27s+Daughter,
+the+Queen+of+Mauretania&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1nuug7v78AhW
NGTQIHc3YCcoQ6AF6BAgEEAI

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 11
The Life and Times Of Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt

Arthur E. P. Brome Weigall - Apr 29, 2016 - 463 pages

The Search for Cleopatra: The True Story of History's Most Intriguing Woman

Michael Foss - 2011 - 169 pages

A marble statue of Cleopatra wearing Roman style clothing and a diadem found near Rome.

David, Jean-Michel (2000). La République romaine de la deuxième guerre punique à la bataille

d'Actium [The Roman Republic of the Second Punic War to the Battle of Actium].

Jean-Michel David,

As for Octavia, she was thought to have been treated with scorn, and when she came back from Athens
Caesar ordered her to dwell in her own house. But she refused to leave the house of her husband, nay,

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 12
she even entreated Caesar himself, unless on other grounds he had determined to make war upon
Antony, to ignore Antony's treatment of her, since it was an infamous thing even to have it said that the
two greatest imperators in the world plunged the Romans into civil war, the one out of passion for, and
the other out of resentment in behalf of, a woman. [2] These were her words, and she confirmed them
by her deeds. For she dwelt in her husband's house, just as if he were at home, and she cared for his
children, not only those whom she herself, but also those whom Fulvia had borne him, in a noble and
magnificent manner; she also received such friends of Antony as were sent to Rome in quest of office or
on business, and helped them to obtain from Caesar what they wanted. Without meaning it, however,
she was damaging Antony by this conduct of hers; for he was hated for wronging such a woman. [3] He
was hated, too, for the distribution which he made to his children in Alexandria; it was seen to be
theatrical and arrogant, and to evince hatred of Rome. For after filling the gymnasium with a throng and
placing on a tribunal of silver two thrones of gold, one for himself and the other for Cleopatra, and other
lower thrones for his sons, [4] in the first place he declared Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and
Coele Syria, and she was to share her throne with Caesarion. Caesarion was believed to be a son of the
former Caesar, by whom Cleopatra was left pregnant. In the second place, he proclaimed his own sons
by Cleopatra Kings of Kings, and to Alexander he allotted Armenia, Media and Parthia (when he should
have subdued it), to Ptolemy Phoenicia, Syria, and Cilicia. [5] At the same time he also produced his
sons, Alexander arrayed in Median garb, which included a tiara and upright head-dress, Ptolemy in
boots, short cloak, and broad-brimmed hat surmounted by a diadem. For the latter was the dress of the
kings who followed Alexander, the former that of Medes and Armenians. [6] And when the boys had
embraced their parents, one was given a bodyguard of Armenians, the other of Macedonians. Cleopatra,
indeed, both then and at other times when she appeared in public, assumed a robe sacred to Isis, and
was addressed as the New Isis.

Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives. with an English Translation by. Bernadotte Perrin. Cambridge, MA. Harvard
University Press. London. William Heinemann Ltd. 1920. 9.

https://ancientimes.blogspot.com/2020/04/ptolemaic-prince-51-30-bce-thought-to.html

Octavian did not greet the news of the Donations of Alexandria with a positive response. In that
ceremony, Marc Antony proclaimed Caesarion to be a god, son of a god, and "King of Kings" as well as
Caesar's true son and heir. Octavian used Roman resentment over the Donations of Alexandria to gain
support for war against Antony and Cleopatra. When Octavian subsequently invaded Egypt, Caesarion
was sent to India, according to Plutarch saying "Caesarion, who was said to be Cleopatra's son by Julius

Queen of Kings: Kleopatra VII and the Donations of Alexandria

…many of the regions Antonius ‘donated’ to Kleopatra [in the Donations of Alexandria] had already been
given to her during the Donations of Antioch].

Egypt was not so much a vassal as an autonomous, allied and protected kingdom, the like of which had
not appeared within the Roman orbit before. Michael Grant in M. Grant, Cleopatra (London, 1972). p.
141-2.

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 13
[The Donations of Alexandria] did not make any fundamental changes to the status quo of the
administration. The area under Cleopatra’s control remained just as it was in 36. The vassal-rulers
retained their positions. … The Roman proconsul continued to administer Syria while Armenia and
Cyrene remained garrisoned by Roman legions. Gunther Holbl p. 244. A History of the Ptolemaic Empire
(London and New York, 2001).

In the years between Tarsos (41 BCE] and the Donations, Kleopatra gave birth to three children, all of
whom Antonius acknowledged as his.

In the winter of 37/6 Kleopatra again visited Antonius, who was now at Antioch in Syria, where he had
taken up residence in order to re-arrange power relations in the Near East and make preparations for
war against the Parthians (Plut., Ant. 36.3-4; Dio Cass. 49.32-1-5). Again, Kleopatra was at the centre of
Antonius’ propaganda and plans. She received the city of Kyrene in Libya, estates on Crete, and several
strongholds in the Levant (Jos., AJ 15.4.88 and 92).14 At this occasion Antonius acknowledged paternity
of Kleopatra’s twins Alexandros and Kleopatra.

the ‘Donations of Antioch’ must have been of equal importance as those of Alexandria. Josephus(AJ
15.4.96) says that Sidon and Tyre were the only coastal cities not given to Kleopatra, but she claimed
them nonetheless. After 37/6 BCE, Kleopatra issued coins in Arados, Tripolis, Berytos, Damascus,
Ptolemais-Ake and Askalon; see Holbl (2001), p. 242 with n. 102.

On her way back to Alexandria, instead of taking the short sea route, Kleopatra made a royal progress
through the Levant, in order to ritually mark the area as hers, visiting ‘royal cities’ like Apameia,
Damascus, and finally Jericho, where she met her new vassal Herod in 36 (Jos., AJ 15.4.96).

“[Antony] made them [the Aremenian royals] walk at the head of a kind of triumphal advent into
Alexandria, together with the other captives, while he himself entered the city upon a chariot. And he
presented to Kleopatra not only all the spoils that he had won, but even led the Armenian together with
his wife and children before her, bound in chains of gold. She herself was seated upon a golden throne
on a stage plated with silver, amidst a great multitude.” (Dio Cass. 49.40.2-3)

Kleopatra was on this occasion, as indeed she always was when she appeared in public, dressed in a
robe sacred to Isis and she was hailed as the New Isis. (Plut., Ant. 54.3-6)

Dio adds that afterwards “[Antonius] sent a despatch to Rome in order that it might secure ratification
also from the people there” (Dio Cass. 49.41.4).

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
235249366_Queen_of_Kings_Cleopatra_VII_and_the_Donations_of_Alexandria

Queen of Kings: Cleopatra VII and the Donations of Alexandria

 January 2010

 In book: Kingdoms and Principalities in the Roman Near East (pp.139-158)

 Edition: Occidens et Oriens 19

 Publisher: Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag

 Editors: Ted Kaizer and Margerita Facella

A Few Thoughts About Cleopatra “the Great” by Rich Van Winkle ALL RIGHTS RESERVED! 2023 14
Rolf Strootman, ‘Queen of Kings: Cleopatra VII and the Donations of Alexandria’, in: M. Facella and T.
Kaizer eds., Kingdoms and principalities in the Roman Near East. Occidens et Oriens 19 (Stuttgart: Franz
Steiner Verlag, 2010) 139–158.

This last pharaoh of Egypt had the name Ptolemy XV Philopator Caesar, but he is better known by the
nickname Caesarion, which meant “little Caesar.” https://www.actuallynotes.net/did-cleopatra-have-
children-the-true-story-%F0%9F%92%98/

once back in Alexandria, most historians agree that Octavian had him assassinated and took full control
of Egypt after his disappearance. He was seventeen years old and had only reigned alone for a few days
after the death of his mother, practically in exile.

Octavio granted custody and custody of him to his sister Octavia, Marco Antonio’s former wife, and they
grew up in his house, together with Iullus Antonius, son of Marco Antonio and his third wife, Fulvia. .
Alexander Helios, the twin of Cleopatra Selene, was born around 40 BC. C. and his little brother,
Ptolomeo Filadelfo, towards the year 36 

it is not known what was the fate of the two youngest children of Marco Antonio and the mythical
Cleopatra.

in Florus and Lucan's writings that the flames Caesar set only burned the fleet and some "houses near
the sea," with no mention of the library. Furthermore, years after Caesar's campaign in Alexandria, the
Greek geographer Strabo worked in the two buildings which composed the Alexandrian library, both of
which he described as "perfectly intact."

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