Cleopatra VII

Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Born to Ptolemy XII Auletes, she was of Macedonian Greek descent. She became co-ruler at age 14 and sole ruler at 18. Cleopatra is renowned for her intelligence, political astuteness, and charm. She spoke multiple languages and was educated in mathematics, philosophy, oratory, and astronomy. Her reign marked the end of both the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Hellenistic period. She famously allied herself with Julius Caesar, bearing him a son, Caesarion, and later formed both a political and romantic alliance with Mark Antony. Following their defeat by Octavian (later Augustus) at the Battle of Actium, and Antony's subsequent suicide, Cleopatra took her own life, allegedly by allowing an asp (venomous snake) to bite her. Her death marked the end of ancient Egypt's independence and its absorption into the Roman Empire.