What Is Cleopatra A Tyrant

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Cleopatra was one of the most famous Egyptian queens. She is commonly portrayed as a beautiful woman as well as a ruthless tyrant. Although her character and intentions may have been a bit controversial, she was indeed a remarkable and fearless woman. Cleopatra was a queen who cared about her country and would protect it at any cost. She belonged to a weakening royal dynasty that struggled for generations to save itself from Rome. Cleopatra killed her own siblings in order to secure her place on the throne. She strove all of her life to restore to Egypt to the glory and greatness for which it was known. Cleopatra was born into the last Macedonian dynasty around 69 B.C. Cleopatra’s father was King Ptolemy XII. Her mother was believed …show more content…
Corruption was rampant in society. She became alert, shrewd, and ruthless. Yet, she also had a softer side. She was passionate about art and science and enjoyed participating in intellectual discussions. Cleopatra was the first ruler of her dynasty to learn native Egyptian. She cared for the Egyptian people and respected their religious beliefs, enough so that she went to the extent of dressing as Isis, an Egyptian Goddess, thus, reflecting the diplomatic side of her personality. Over the next few years, Egypt encountered a number of issues including an unhealthy economy, floods, and famines. Political turmoil also played a role in this period. Not long after the siblings acquired power, controversy arose between Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. She was exiled and forced to flee to Syria where she assembled an army to defeat her challenger and regain the throne. In 48 B.C., she returned to Egypt with her military forces to face her brother at Pelusium. Meanwhile, the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey was consuming Rome. Eventually, Pompey came to Egypt seeking refuge. However, Ptolemy XIII and his advisers did not want Pompey to side with Cleopatra, neither could they anger Caesar who could attack them at any given time. Therefore, they deceitfully killed Pompey. After the murder, Ptolemy XIII welcomed the arrival of Julius Caesar to …show more content…
Brutus and other senators assassinated Caesar by repeatedly stabbing him with their daggers. Caesar’s assassins wanted to restore the traditional Roman Republic in which the Senate held the main authority. However, they did not have a concrete plan to execute it. Caesar’s death swept Rome with fear and havoc.
Cleopatra lost her love and her only way to power so she made a strategic, cruel decision to poison her brother, as she knew he could not be trusted. This act is debatable. At that time, there was a great interest in Egypt because of its rich soil. It would be an asset for whoever conquered it. In Rome, when Julius Caesar’s will was read, Cleopatra and her son were not mentioned. A second triumvirate was formed, which involved Octavian, Caesar’s heir, Marcus Antonius (Mark Antony), and Marcus Lepidus.
Mark Antony planned to invade Parthia. Therefore, he needed the support and resources of Egypt the most, as it would be a crucial ally in his conquest of the east. In 41 B.C., Mark Antony invited Cleopatra to the Sicilian City of Tarsus. She complied with his request and made a lavish entrance into the city. Antony was seduced by her charms and agreed to protect Egypt and Cleopatra’s
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