Fascinating facts about Cleopatra

Powerful name

Cleopatra Tea Philopator was born in 69 BC, and died at age 39 on 12 August. The name Cleopatra means 'father's glory'. Tea means goddess and Philopator means loved by her father.

She was not Egyptian

Cleopatra was of Greek origin and was born in Macedonia. Although she was not an Egyptian, she adopted many local customs and was the first of her family to learn the Egyptian language.

Married her brothers

Before his death, Ptolemy chose his children, Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII, as the new rulers of Egypt. Following the dynasty's tradition, Cleopatra married her brother, who was about fifteen at the time.

Cold

Cleopatra was then forced to marry her younger brother, Ptolemy XIV, who became her next victim. If that was not enough, she also killed her sister, Arsinoe, as she considered her to be a threat to her throne.

Wars

Much blood was shed in Egypt because of Cleopatra's greed. She was one of the greatest instigators of wars because of her thirst for power.

She was not pretty

Even though she was portrayed in the movies by the stunning actress Elizabeth Taylor, Cleopatra did not became famous because of her beauty.

Intelligent

Cleopatra was a skilled strategist and administrator, who was very well educated. It's possible that she could read in 12 languages, she was highly cultured and was famous for conducting her diplomatic meetings in the language of the meeting attendees.

Lived in Rome

Cleopatra lived in Rome together with Julius Caesar. She was known in Rome as Caesar's mistress and the relationship was a scandal. Cleopatra only left Rome after Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in the Senate.

Billionaire

Cleopatra was one of the richest women of her time. It is estimated that her fortune would be valued at around $100 billion in today's currency.

Bald

Cleopatra took a lot of care of her appearance. She always wore makeup and loved massages with different types of oil. Like many Egyptians, she waxed her body and shaved her head to avoid lice, and wore wigs to hide her baldness.

Claimed to be the reincarnation of the Goddess Isis

Isis, in Egyptian mythology, was the most important goddess and Cleopatra VII claimed to be her reincarnation. She was known as the new Isis, which gave her a mystical aura.

Last love

Mark Anthony, played by Richard Burton in the epic movie that starred Elizabeth Taylor as the protagonist, was Cleopatra's last love.

Death bed

Cleopatra put on her most elegant clothes and stepped into a scented sarcophagus with an Egyptian snake.

Another method

Other historians believe that Cleopatra could have dipped a pin in the snake's venom and poisoned herself with it.