How many Cleopatras ruled Ancient Egypt?
Antony's Cleopatra was just one of many...
The name ‘Cleopatra’ (roughly meaning ‘glory of the father’), was popular for female royalty in Egypt during the last, ‘Ptolemaic’ dynasty. Descended from Ptolemy I, a Macedonian general from the army of Alexander the Great, this particular bloodline kept itself ‘pure’ through intermarriage, most pharaohs ‘keeping in the family’ by marrying their sisters. Hence the names ‘Ptolemy’ (‘warlike’) and Cleopatra were endlessly recycled.
Officially, only seven princesses with the name ‘Cleopatra’ are credited as sitting on the throne of Egypt, although there is some confusion over the length of reigns and the degree of real power held. The last, Cleopatra VII, is the most famous, thanks to her romantic dalliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Following her suicide in 31 BC, Egypt was absorbed into the Roman empire.
This article was taken from BBC History Revealed magazine
Get exclusive access to Ruth Goodman’s six-week Academy course on Victorian Life, featuring two live Q&As + a book of your choice when you subscribe to BBC History Magazine
