Art history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Art history - Essay Example Art history It is hard to take out the truth from the illusions. Cassius Dio had told her story and enclosed it as he says "She captivated the two greatest Romans of her day, and because of the third she destroyed herself." When Cleopatra was eighteen years old, she got married to son of Ptolemy who was only nine years old at that time. Cleopatra was an intelligent and power oriented girl. She wanted to rule the throne all by herself. She tried to rule alone and if not alone, at least not equivalent to her brother. Cleopatra's rule was over thrown by the ministers in 48 BCE. In the mean time Pompey came to Egypt while he was being chased by forces of Julius Caesar1. Pompey was killed by Ptolemy XIII. Cleopatra's sister and Ptolemy XIII affirmed herself ruler as Arsinoe IV2. Cleopatra had to win the support of Julius Caesar's, the fasanating stories tell that she wrapped her self in a jewel carpet and presented herself to him. In a fight with Caesar, Ptolemy XIII died, and Caesar returned Cleopatra to power in Egypt and her brother Ptolemy XIV came in as a co-ruler. Cleopatra had a son in 46 BCE, Cleopatra gave her newborn son, the name Ptolemy Caesarion. She claimed that he was Julius Caesar's son and that she was married to him. But Julius Caesar's never accepted to be his father officially but he did take Cleopatra to Rome. Caesar was murdered in 44 BCE . After his death Cleopatra returned to Egypt. Here her brother and co-ruler died and she appointed her son as a co-ruler. The next Roman military governor Marc Antony called her to pay a visit with other rulers who were being controlled by Rome. Cleopatra appeared significantly in 41 BCE she was able to convince him that she was innocent of charges put upon her, gained support of Caesar's supporters in Rome and his support too. Antony spent a winter with Cleopatra and they had twins. When he went back he got married to Octavia. Cleopatra had returned to Alexandria and Antony came there in 34 BCE. Cleopatra financed him and he opposed Octavian in the Battle of Actium (31 BCE) but due to few mistakes Cleopatra ended up into defeat. Cleopatra tried her best to agree Octavian to support her children's progression to power but unfortunately failed to come to any agreement. In 30 BCE, Marc Antony was told that Cleopatra had been killed as they say, in distres s he killed himself. Death of Cleopatra Octavian had taken over the state of Cleopatra. When his men reached Cleopatra's monument, she did not open and denied to let them enter. The soldiers entered in her monument finally by climbing in by a window. Cleopatra tried to break through but was caught and imprisoned in her mausoleum. Cleopatra wanted to die as her ego had been hurt. So she worked out on a plan to commit suicide. It is said that as a first step Cleopatra acted as if she was not feeling well. Octavian sent for a doctor. When the physician came, Cleopatra whispered something to him and he went away. She was well again. She asked for fabulous clothes and finest jewelry. She took a bath and wished to go to Anthony's tomb which she was allowed. When she returned from there Cleopatra, she asked for a big feast. Surprisingly, Octavian did not raise any objection on all this. So Cleopatra sat with her servants and had her