Cleopatra VIII Thea Philopator was born in 69 BC and was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Macedonian Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death during the Hellenistic period. The Ptolemies spoke Greek and refused to speak Egyptian, yet Cleopatra learned many languages including Egyptian despite this and represented herself as a reincarnation of Isis, the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom. She was the last active Pharoah of Ptolemaic Egypt.
She was born to Ptolemy XII and an unknown mother. Her older sister was Berenice IV Epiphaneia, her younger sister was Arsinoe IV and her younger brothers were Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator and Ptolemy XIV. During her childhood, her father was forced into exile and she accompanied him. Berenice attempted to send an embassy to Rome in advocacy of her claim but Ptolemy XII had them killed as she had been opposing his…
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Naomi Rowan 