Carving of Cleopatra

Cleopatra

Cleopatra is one of the best-known women in history, famed for her supposed beauty and intellect, and her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

Comes from: Alexandria
Occupation: Last pharaoh of Egypt
Parents: Ptolemy XII

Known for: Being the last pharaoh of Egypt, being a fabled beauty, her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and – alongside Mark Antony – waging a war on Rome, which she ultimately lost.

The seven Cleopatras who shaped the ancient world. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Great Reputations: Cleopatra. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Julius Caesar meets Cleopatra in this 18th-century painting

Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony: how the last pharaoh's love affairs shaped Ancient Egypt's fate

A depiction of Queen Cleopatra, c50 BC

Who was Cleopatra? Her life, her love affairs and her children, plus 6 little-known facts

Composite image of depictions of Queen Cleopatra

The face of Cleopatra: what did she look like, and was she really so beautiful?

Cleopatra’s triumphant daughter. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Emblema of Cleopatra Selene

Cleopatra's daughter: the tragic inheritance to triumphant reign of Cleopatra Selene

A bas relief fragment portraying Cleopatra

The female 'kings' of ancient Egypt

Antony and Cleopatra meet for the first time

What if...Antony and Cleopatra had won the battle of Actium?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Cleopatra bust. (Photo by Getty Images)

Cleopatra: unpicking myth from reality. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Mural of the battle of Actium from 1600

Actium, 31 BC: the beginning of the end for Mark Antony and Cleopatra

Carved wall scene depicting Cleopatra at Dendera Temple

Cleopatra: what is the real legacy of the last pharaoh?

(Photo by Michele Falzone via Getty Images)

10 things you (probably) didn't know about ancient Egypt

Engraving of the death of Cleopatra

When and how did Queen Cleopatra die and who killed her?

Seven princesses with the name ‘Cleopatra’ are credited as sitting on the throne of Egypt. (Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images)

Q&AHow many Cleopatras ruled Ancient Egypt?

The amazing history of Egypt. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

One of the two 19th-century bronze sphinxes sited next to Cleopatra's Needle, London's oldest monument. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

Where history happened: Egypt in Britain. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A monumental misunderstanding