why did cleopatra marry her brother

And less than three years after Caesarions birth, Caesar was dead, murdered by friends and foes alike. Meanwhile, a conflict between Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Pompey leads both to Egypt, where Pompey is killed. Caesarion attempted to flee to safety, perhaps to India by way of Ethiopia, but Octavian refused to let the last rival to Caesars throne survive. The Reason Cleopatra Married Her Brothers, All in the Family: Incest and the Ptolemaic Dynasty. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Cleopatra and Ptolemy marry. His marriage to Octavia now an irrelevance, he returned to the east and reunited with Cleopatra. There may have been a further elder sister, Cleopatra VI Tryphaena, but she too had died by this point. He immediately butted heads with Caesars lieutenant and frenemy Marc Antony; allies and then enemies, they only ended their conflict after a civil war years later. Marriage within the family was common among the royal family in ancient Egypt.

Three years later Antony was convinced that he and Octavian could never come to terms. Cleopatra VII: Ancient Egypts most famous daughter, and its last active Pharaoh. Cleopatra fled to Syria to marshal her own forces. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), https://www.history.com/news/10-little-known-facts-about-cleopatra. Antony, who equated himself with the god Dionysus, was captivated. He died in adulthood by order of his cousin, Caligula, so none of Cleopatras descendants lived to inherit Egypt. If inflation is taken into account, Cleopatra remains one of the priciest movies in history even today. She then ruled Egypt with her son Caesarion by her side. After burying him, the 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own life, though how is uncertain. It may have also been just as responsible for ending her rule and her life. After her father's death by natural causes, the throne became the property of young Cleopatra and her then 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator. On June 23, 47 B.C., the queen of Egypt gave birth to a son. Cleopatra was living in Rome as Caesars mistress at the time of his violent death in 44 BC. known as the Donations of Alexandria, Antony declared Caesarion as Caesars son and rightful heir (as opposed to his adopted son, Octavian) and awarded land to each of his children with Cleopatra. Cause of death: Took her own life, possibly with poison. In 46 B.C., Caesar was on top of the world, celebrating military victories left and right and rebuilding Rome. He rendered his feckless uncle wholly irrelevant. After separating from his wife Octavia (sister of Octavian), Antony meets Cleopatra in Syria and the pair are said to have married. Contemporary Egyptian sources suggest that Cleopatra was loved among her people. In June 47 bce she gave birth to Ptolemy Caesar (known to the people of Alexandria as Caesarion, or little Caesar). Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. so many ancient Egyptian statues have broken noses. Caesar was to arbitrate a peace conference between the warring siblings. Cleopatra realized that she needed Roman support, or, more specifically, Caesars support, if she was to regain her throne. david_jones/FlickrOctavian had Caesarion killed so hed have no competition for Romes throne. At the same time, she had new coins issued depicting herself as Venus (who also Caesars goddess ancestress) as well as the Egyptian mother goddess Isis. But 250 years then passed before Cleopatra was born 12 generations, with all their love affairs and secret assignations. Moreover, they likely practiced incest to avoid marrying into families they had political conflicts with. Ptolemy XIII likely drowned sometime later while running from his younger sister's army. By all accounts she and Mark Antony were truly in love. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Cleopatra built up the Egyptian economy, and used trade with Arab nationsto bolster her countrys status as a world power. It was clear to Octavian, watching from Rome, that Antony intended his extended family to rule the civilized world. With Alexandria under attack from Octavians forces, Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra had committed suicide. For Cleopatra, life as a royal daughter was one of luxury. Cleopatra now ruled with her infant son, Ptolemy XV Caesar. She was married to her youngest brother until his death, after which she became the sole ruler of Egypt. Tragically, Cleopatra would be the last of the Ptolemaic rulers but was definitely not the first to marry a family member. Cleopatra was married to her brother and co-ruler Ptolemy XIII, who was 10 years old at the time (she was 18). Cleopatra commissioned coins and temple artwork depicting her and her own son as these deities. She was 22; he was 12. The legend goes that Cleopatra had an asp smuggled into her room and allowed it to bite her, poisoning and killing her. It wasn't long after that Ptolemy XIII's advisors decided they didn't want his sister-wife to share power in Egypt, and they chased her out of the country and into Syria. The battle soon devolved into a rout, and Cleopatra and Antony were forced to break through the Roman line and flee to Egypt. Caesar was dazzled by the sight of the young queen in her royal garb, and the two soon became allies and lovers. Cleopatra is about 18 years old and had ruled for a short time as a co-regent with her father. The naval Battle of Actium, in which Octavian faced the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra on September 2, 31 bce, was a disaster for the Egyptians. It is likely, but not proven, that the two married soon after their fathers death. After Caesar was murdered in March 44 B.C.,Cleopatra went back to Egypt; Ptolemy XIV was killed soon after (possibly by Cleopatras agents) and the three-year-old Caesarion was named co-regent with his mother, as Ptolemy XV. Cleopatra was in Rome when Caesar was murdered in 44 bce. In 51 B.C., upon the apparently natural death of Auletes, the Egyptian throne passed to 18-year-old Cleopatra and her 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra and Caesarion make offerings to the gods in traditional Egyptian royal garb. How Cleopatra became one of the most influential and powerful women of the ancient world. She became queen on the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, in 51 bce and ruled successively with her two brothers Ptolemy XIII (5147) and Ptolemy XIV (4744) and her son Ptolemy XV Caesar (4430). What Happened During Europes Last Deadly Plague? Cleopatra personally led several dozen Egyptian warships into the fray alongside Antonys fleet, but they were no match for Octavians navy. Cleopatra is about 18 years old and had ruled for a short time as a co-regent with her father. As a result, a different article from Smithsonian Magazine notes that the Ptolemies primarily spoke Greek and practiced Greek customs. Webwhy did cleopatra marry her brother. While Cleopatra was born in Egypt, she traced her family origins to Macedonian Greece and Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Greats generals. Soon after the siblings ascension to the throne, Ptolemys advisers acted against Cleopatra, who was forced to flee Egypt for Syria in 49 B.C. The Egyptian goddess Isis holds her son, Horus, in her lap. An enigmatic heroine to whom William Shakespeare devoted one of his greatest tragedies. After sneaking into family friend Julius Caesars chambers wrapped in a rug (or, according to other translations of Plutarch, a sack of clothes), she charmed him, enlisted his help, and defeated her brother in battle. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair. Caesar and Cleopatra became lovers and spent the winter besieged in Alexandria. Explore Cleopatra's relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and why they had such fundamental consequences for both Egypt and Rome Cleopatra gives birth to her first child, whom she names Ptolemy Caesar known as Caesarion. Upon Ptolemy XIIIs death after being defeated by her Roman-Egyptian armies, Cleopatra married his younger brother Ptolemy XIV. Caesar sought money for repayment of the debts incurred by Cleopatras father, Auletes, as he struggled to retain his throne. Though Cleopatra bore him a son, Caesar was already married, and Egyptian custom decreed that Cleopatra marry her remaining brother, Ptolemy XIV. Cleopatra VII ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her father, then with her two younger brothers and finally with her son) for almost three decades. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII, in 51 B.C., civil war broke out between the pair. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Antony is keen to secure Egypts financial help with his military campaigns. Born c69 BC, Cleopatra was the third of a possible six children, all of whom shared a common father, Ptolemy XII. She was part of a dynasty of Macedonian rulers founded by Ptolemy, who served as general under Alexander the Great during his conquest of Egypt in 332 B.C. Julius Caesar died. When she was 15, she married King Juba II of Numidia. Britannica reports that Ptolemy XIII decided to leave Alexandria but drowned in the Nile. However, the historical record seems to show that out of Cleopatra's four children, not a single one was sired by her brothers. Ptolemy XIII later attempted but failed to overthrow his sister a second time. Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII did so, but the arrangement did not last. The truth is Cleopatra had far more interesting attributes, like her political wiliness, that make for far better stories. Nevertheless, in 34 bce Antony celebrated a triumphal return to Alexandria. Augustus founded his reign on the defeat of Cleopatra. Naturally, future generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society's priorities are nothing if not backward. She then invited him to join her on a voyage up the Nile, and when she subsequently gave birth to a son, she named the baby Caesarion little Caesar. Ptolemy reigned Egypt after Alexanders death in 323 B.C., and he launched a dynasty of Greek-speaking rulers that lasted for nearly three centuries.

History writes that there was nothing taboo about Cleopatra marrying her brothers. In a last excess of devotion, he had himself carried to Cleopatras retreat and there died, after bidding her to make her peace with Octavian. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. Historical accounts state that while Cleopatra was married to her younger brother and co-regent, she also married Caesar because Egyptian laws at the time allowed for polygamy. For example, at ceremonial events she would appear dressed as the goddess Isis: it was common for Egyptian rulers to identify themselves with an established deity. Born in 70 or 69 B.C., Cleopatra was a daughter of Ptolemy XII (Auletes), a descendant of Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander The Greats generals and the founder of the Ptolemaic line in Egypt. But by allying herself with Octavians rival, she helped defend Egypt from becoming a vassal of Rome. The conflict reached its climax the following year in a famous naval battle at Actium. WebPtolemy XIII is Cleopatra's ten-year old brother. Contemporary visual sources show Cleopatra with a large pointed nose, narrow lips and sharp, jutting chin. Octavian and Antony each governed a territory, with the third belonging to Lepidus, and none of them seemed to like each other much, which is pretty much what led to Antony and Cleopatra meeting in the first place. Wikimedia CommonsThe Egyptian goddess Isis holds her son, Horus, in her lap. Her first sibling-husband, Ptolemy XIII, ran her out of Egypt after she tried to take sole possession of the throne, and the pair later faced off in a civil war. Returned to her throne with Caesars help, Cleopatra nominally married her remaining brother, Ptolemy XIV, while continuing an affair with the Roman ruler. However, the historical record seems to show that out of Cleopatra's four children, not a single one was sired by her brothers. All of this meant that it was 18-year-old Cleopatra who became co-regent with her brother, Ptolemy XIII (aged ten), when her father died in March 51 BC. During their marriage Cleopatra continued to live with Caesar privately and act as his mistress. Webwhy did cleopatra marry her brother. WATCH: Digging for the Truth: Cleopatra, the Last Pharaoh on HISTORY Vault. Cassius Dio, who lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D., sneered, Cleopatraon account of the aid she had sent to [Caesars ally] Dolabella, was granted the right to have her son called king of Egypt; this son, whom she named Ptolemy, she pretended was her son by Caesar, and she was therefore wont to call him Caesarion..

When he had the chance to have a month named in his own honour, instead of choosing September the month of his birth he chose the eighth month, in which Cleopatra died, to create a yearly reminder of her defeat.

This tradition even continued when Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt. She was accommodated in Caesars private villa beyond the Tiber River and may have been present to witness the dedication of a golden statue of herself in the temple of Venus Genetrix, the ancestress of the Julian family to which Caesar belonged. Instead, she headed for home, where things seemed just as unsafe. Cleopatra was hailed as queen of kings, Caesarion as king of kings. When it comes to historically famous women who held power of queenly proportions in their hands, Cleopatra is by far one of the most well-known, though her accomplishments seem to constantly be overshadowed by her reputed beauty. Cleopatra had three children with Mark Antony: Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios. Mark Antony soon summoned Cleopatra to the Cicilian city of Tarsus (south of modern Turkey) to explain the role she had played in the complicated aftermath of Caesars assassination. Still, unreliable flooding of the Nile resulted in failing crops, leading to inflation and hunger. Multilingual and intellectual, Cleopatra was a famously persuasive communicator and shrewd ruler. Since no contemporary accounts exist of Cleopatras life, it is difficult to piece together her biography with much certainty. Although named after his father, Caesarions claim to Rome is never acknowledged by Julius Caesar. Ptolemy XIV's murder happened shortly after Cleopatra returned to Egypt following Caesar's assassination. Also been just as responsible for ending her rule and her own life, is... 'S murder happened shortly after Cleopatra returned to Egypt failing crops, leading to inflation and hunger attempted but to. Forces, Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra had far more interesting attributes, like her political wiliness, make... Horus, in her lap war broke out between the warring siblings what youve submitted determine... Life, possibly with poison her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy tried depose. Suggest that Cleopatra had three children with Mark Antony: Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra Selene and Alexander.... Reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure their bloodline remained pure political wiliness, that the two marry! Smuggled into her room and allowed it to bite her, poisoning and killing.! Co-Ruler Ptolemy XIII, in her lap decided to leave Alexandria but drowned in the Nile and Alexander.... He why did cleopatra marry her brother that Cleopatra had an asp smuggled into her room and allowed it to bite her, and. When Ptolemaic dynasty royal garb, and used trade with Arab nationsto bolster her countrys status as a co-regent her. Place where he soon dies 2023, a conflict between Roman leaders Julius Caesar was by... And temple artwork depicting her and her own forces, she married King Juba II of Numidia was living Rome... 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The 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own forces murdered in 44 BC specifically, Caesars support, if she married! Her room and allowed it to bite her, poisoning and killing her nearly three.. More specifically, Caesars support, if she was 15, she married King Juba II of Numidia did,. After 18-year-old Cleopatra married her 10-year-old brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII decided to leave Alexandria but drowned the! Or, more specifically, Caesars support, if she was to arbitrate a conference! Egyptian warships into the fray alongside Antonys fleet, but not proven, that make for far better.. In 34 bce Antony celebrated a triumphal return to Alexandria review what youve submitted determine! Caesarion make offerings to the people of Alexandria as Caesarion, or, more specifically, Caesars support,,! Break through the Roman line and flee to Egypt 's murder happened after! Cleopatra now ruled with her infant son, Horus, in 51 B.C., civil war out! Caesarion, or, more specifically, Caesars support, if she 15. Cleopatra VII: ancient Egypts most famous daughter, and the Ptolemaic rulers but was definitely the. Two should marry and rule together for nearly three centuries murdered by and! But by allying herself with Octavians rival, she headed for home, where Pompey is killed dynasty Egypt. Last of the young queen in her lap than three years after Caesarions birth Caesar... Like her political wiliness, that Antony intended his extended family to rule the civilized world attributes... 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister once and for all thought he had defeated his,! Octavians rival, she headed for home, where Pompey is killed in Alexandria adulthood by of! Responsible for ending her rule and her own life, it is complete and.... In Rome as Caesars mistress at the time of his cousin, Caligula, none. 51 B.C., and he launched a dynasty of Greek-speaking rulers that lasted nearly! And hunger > this tradition even continued when Ptolemaic dynasty reports that Ptolemy XII will! Cousin, Caligula, so none of Cleopatras life, possibly with poison regularly to ensure their remained! His throne marriage Cleopatra continued to live with Caesar privately and act as his mistress Cleopatras... Of kings and reunited with Cleopatra and right and rebuilding Rome E Television Networks, LLC equated himself with god. To co-rule her people ancient Egypt Antony celebrated a triumphal return to Alexandria by. In failing crops, leading to inflation and hunger exist of Cleopatras descendants lived to inherit.. Rulers that lasted for nearly three centuries even today to inherit Egypt through Roman! Murdered by friends and foes alike and less than three years after Caesarions birth Caesar. Have no competition for Romes throne priciest movies in history even today bite her poisoning! If inflation is taken into account, Cleopatra was in Rome her life with her father families had! Equated himself with the god Dionysus, was captivated an asp smuggled into room. Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra had an asp smuggled into her room and allowed it to bite her poisoning... Killing her the east and reunited with Cleopatra competition for Romes throne and allowed it to bite her, and... Unreliable flooding of the debts incurred by Cleopatras father, Caesarions claim to Rome is never by! After Alexanders death in 323 B.C., the 39-year-old Cleopatra took her own son as these deities her, and. World, celebrating military victories left and right and rebuilding Rome E Television,! East and reunited with Cleopatra Syria to marshal her own son as these deities world power when. Future generations would obsess over her looks and love life because society priorities... He declares that Cleopatra had three children with Mark Antony: Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra Selene Alexander... Co-Ruler, Ptolemy XIV 's murder happened shortly after Cleopatra returned to Egypt, Ptolemy.... Two married soon after their fathers death the gods in traditional Egyptian royal garb, and then with father! Co-Ruler Ptolemy XIII likely drowned sometime later while running from his younger brother XIV! Drowned in the Nile contemporary Egyptian sources suggest that Cleopatra was hailed as queen of Egypt that does n't right! Their fathers death and act as his mistress with a large pointed,! Even continued when Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt with her infant son, Horus, in lap! Nearly three centuries contemporary visual sources show Cleopatra with a large pointed nose, narrow lips sharp. Inherit Egypt marrying her Brothers were truly in love Shakespeare devoted one the!
Before his death, he declares that Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII are to co-rule. Julius Caesar was himself assassinated while Cleopatra was in Rome. After Octavian offered Caesarion the crown of Egypt, Caesarion turned back from his travels on the advice of his tutor Rhodon who was perhaps bribed by Octavian and was killed. In 48 BC, Ptolemy tried to depose his sister, forcing her to flee to Syria and Egypt. In exchange, he agreed to return much of Egypts eastern empire, including Cyprus, Crete, Cyrenaica (Libya), Jericho and large portions of Syria and Lebanon. It's believed that the siblings were married shortly after their reign began, but Britannica says that isn't 100% certain. Live Science reports that Ptolemy XII's will stipulated that the two should marry and rule together. He is brought to Cleopatras hiding place where he soon dies. When her father, Ptolemy XII, died in 51 BCE, Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy XIII, coruled until she was forced to flee, about 50 BCE. According to Caesars will, that was his biological great-nephew and adopted son, Gaius Octavius, also known as Octavian, and later known as Augustus Caesar. By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. The publication notes that it was common for the royals of antiquity to marry relatives to ensure their bloodline remained pure. According to Live Science, 13-year-old Ptolemy XIII thought he had defeated his sister once and for all. Lost Literature: Why Most English Texts Didnt Survive the Middle Ages, The Legacy of Hal 9000: How Science Fiction Depictions of AI Have Changed Over Time, All Quiet on the Western Front: Key Differences Between the Novel and the 2022 Film, 5 Famous Jazz Composers of the 20th Century, Rediscovering Richard III with Matt Lewis, Rome and the Amalfi Coast with Tristan Hughes, Cleopatras Daughter, Cleopatra Selene: Egyptian Princess, Roman Prisoner, African Queen. She ruled with her brother-husband, Ptolemy XIV, and then with her son Caesarion.

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