Here’s 10 things you didn’t know
about Cleopatra, a woman we’ve wanted to be since ancient times. On
Halloween you still see Cleopatra costumes.
1. She was the last real pharaoh
Rome took over Egypt after Cleopatra’s death. Her son, Caesarion, ruled
Egypt on his own for a short time but was defeated by Gaius Julius Caesar
Octavianus. After that, Egypt was known as Aegyptus.
2. She was believed to be the reincarnation of Isis
Cleopatra’s subjects believed she was the reincarnation of the Goddess Isis.
Isis was considered the ideal mother and wife, as well as the patroness of
nature and magic.
3. She might have committed suicide with a snake
Many believe that Cleopatra committed suicide by laying an asp on her chest
and letting it bite her.
4. She was from Macedonia
Cleopatra’s family was actually from Macedonia and followed Alexander the
Great to Egypt where the family came to be regarded as Egyptian
royalty. They quickly picked up all the Egyptian customs — including
having pharaohs marry their siblings.
5. She bathed in milk
To preserve her skin and to remain looking youthful, Cleopatra reportedly
bathed in milk every day.
6. She married her siblings
During her rule, Cleopatra was married to two of her brothers. Eventually,
her own son, Caesarion, stepped in as co-ruler with her.
7. She was exiled from Egypt briefly
Cleopatra’s brother, Ptolemy XIII, was supposed to share the rule of Egypt
with his sister, Cleopatra. But in an attempt to gain complete power, Ptolemy
XIII forced Cleopatra to flee Egypt. Cleopatra only regained power when she had
an affair with Julius Caesar.
8. She was a writer
Cleopatra wrote a medical and pharmacological work entitled “Cosmetics,”
which detailed remedies for hair loss, dandruff and other physical ailments
with aesthetic symptoms.
9. She killed two of her siblings
Cleopatra killed her sister, who was rallying troops to overthrow her, and
her brother Ptolemy XIV, whom she supposedly poisoned after the birth of her
son.
10. Three of Cleopatra’s children died
Cleopatra had four children — the first by Caesar and the following three by
Marcus Antonius. Only one of her children, Cleopatra Selene, survived childhood
and went on to become the Queen of Mauretania.
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