The fascinating story of Cleopatra is a story of love, greed and romance. Perhaps that's why her story is known, even after her death over 2000 years ago? Born in Alexandria in 69 BC, Cleopatra loved Egypt and tourists on Egypt holidays can see today how much she is revered by the Egyptian people. Considered by many to be the last Queen of the Pharaohs, at a time when Pharaohs were regarded as living gods and worshiped as deities.
Cleopatra was the third daughter of Ptolemy Xll. She came to the throne in 51 BC, when she was just 17, after the death of her father, who was much hated by the Egyptians. Cleopatra ruled with her brother Ptolemy Xlll, whom she married, as was the custom. Her brother, wanting to rule alone, had her exiled. Such was her craving for power, that she promised herself to Caesar, wrapped in a carpet, if he would get rid of her brother. Overcome by her beauty, Caesar complied and had Ptolemy Xlll killed and became her lover.
Meanwhile, the senate were troubled by the union of Cleopatra and Caesar, and in March 44BC, they had Caeser killed. Heartbroken Cleopatra took the Roman general Marc Antony as her new lover, and together they had three children. Later, Augustus would defeat Antony in battle, and he committed suicide at the loss. But it was Cleopatra's loss, who, upon hearing of Antony's death, arranged her own death by asp's bite.
It's a sad story, but Cleopatra's legacy lives on and Egypt holidays will take you to the many places which bear her name today. Whether they had any connection to her or her life is another story - her name holds so much value that it is used for many tourist sites. Such is her popularity that this seems to work to draw in the crowds!
People on Luxor holidays can even take a 'Cleopatra Tour', where they learn of her history and visit the places she frequented. In 1963, a film celebrating her life and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, became the highest grossing film of 1963, and won four Academy Awards. Even Shakespeare immortalised her in the play 'Antony and Cleopatra'.
Cleopatra was the third daughter of Ptolemy Xll. She came to the throne in 51 BC, when she was just 17, after the death of her father, who was much hated by the Egyptians. Cleopatra ruled with her brother Ptolemy Xlll, whom she married, as was the custom. Her brother, wanting to rule alone, had her exiled. Such was her craving for power, that she promised herself to Caesar, wrapped in a carpet, if he would get rid of her brother. Overcome by her beauty, Caesar complied and had Ptolemy Xlll killed and became her lover.
Meanwhile, the senate were troubled by the union of Cleopatra and Caesar, and in March 44BC, they had Caeser killed. Heartbroken Cleopatra took the Roman general Marc Antony as her new lover, and together they had three children. Later, Augustus would defeat Antony in battle, and he committed suicide at the loss. But it was Cleopatra's loss, who, upon hearing of Antony's death, arranged her own death by asp's bite.
It's a sad story, but Cleopatra's legacy lives on and Egypt holidays will take you to the many places which bear her name today. Whether they had any connection to her or her life is another story - her name holds so much value that it is used for many tourist sites. Such is her popularity that this seems to work to draw in the crowds!
People on Luxor holidays can even take a 'Cleopatra Tour', where they learn of her history and visit the places she frequented. In 1963, a film celebrating her life and starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, became the highest grossing film of 1963, and won four Academy Awards. Even Shakespeare immortalised her in the play 'Antony and Cleopatra'.
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