Cleopatra, the New Isis as she sometimes was heard calling herself, was the last Ptolemaic pharaoh, outliving all of her brothers, whom she ordered killed, and all of her sisters. She was also the last pharaoh of Egypt. She gained the trust of many Egyptians and the hearts of many Romans. She used what beauty she had to help improve Egypt and more so to help strengthen her potential power. As her escalating power developed, Cleopatra overcame many giants and manipulated her latent authority to find her place in history.

While Cleopatra was rising to power, her brothers posed a great threat to her goal to be leader of the world. For example, at fourteen years of age, Ptolemy XIII, along with his advisors, shared joint rule of Egypt with Cleopatra, pulling her maximum power potential from her position ("Ptolemy XIII" 774). Ptolemy XIII was tricked into hating his sister because his mentors did not want Cleopatra to be sole ruler of Egypt but instead want Ptolemy XIII to be. With the ideas of his counselors running through his head, Ptolemy XIII had Cleopatra removed from Egypt because he did not like Cleopatra’s intent of sitting on the thrown, alone. Moreover, after Ptolemy XIII’s death, Cleopatra married Ptolemy XIV, the other brother, to share rule of Egypt with him ("Ptolemy XIV" 775). Being only eleven, Ptolemy XIV did not pose as much a threat to Cleopatra as their older brother once did. Cleopatra had her youngest brother and now husband, Ptolemy XIV, killed because she thought he was perpetrating the hearts of the Egyptians, and that with this last brother out of the way she and her son Caesarion, could rule Egypt. Even though she was married to both of her brothers, Cleopatra still did not have to love either of them

Cleopatra did, however, fall head over heels for two other men in her life. Julius Caesar met Cleopatra on an escapade to find Pompey, in Egypt, and to stop the brother-sister feud that was also happening in one of Rome’s republics ("Cleopatra" 377). Cleopatra fell in love with Caesar at first sight. She also admired his wealth, stature, and the power he had over Rome. Furthermore, Mark Antony became Cleopatra’s new love after Caesar was murdered (Cleopatra Internet). Cleopatra loved Antony for his leadership position over Rome. However, that was not the only reason. She also loved Antony because he, like Caesar, wanted Caesarion to follow in his father’s footsteps. Her love for power influenced Cleopatra’s love for men.

Cleopatra used whatever means necessary get whatever she wanted. For example, "She made the most of her physical charms to strengthen her own position within Egypt" (Cleopatra VII Internet). She thought this power could and did entice Julius Caesar into helping her take the Egyptians thrown away from Ptolemy XIII. She wanted this "charm" to gain Anthony’s trust and respect, and it did. However, knowing that using whatever means necessary would not help her against Octavius’ might, Cleopatra killed herself with an asp (Cleopatra, the Last Pharaoh Internet). She wanted to rule the world but instead only ruled herself. Her selfish nature overtook her intuition and started making her make foolish mistakes. Cleopatra charmed power but flirted with selfishness, which would lead to her own demise.

Cleopatra was a great queen in her own mind. She was very extravagant in her living. Using what charm she had, she gained the lustful hearts of many. Cleopatra’s rise to power was like no one else’s, and people will always remembered her for that reason. As Caesar’s only wife who could bear him a son, and as Marc Anthony’s mistress, Cleopatra encompassed a woman with so much selfish power that instead of admitting defeat, killed herself.

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5-4-1999 http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/angelo/303/queen.html