What led to the downfall of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra?
What led to the downfall of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra?
Overview of the fall of Egypt, with a detailed discussion of Cleopatra's relationship with Mark Antony.
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Transcript
The venom in the fangs of an asp ends the life of Egypt's Queen Cleopatra. And with her dies Egypt's last hope. The fall of this mighty civilization has begun. The last Pharaoh of Egypt ruled for 15 years, wrangling for power, deploying all her feminine wiles, coolly and decisively. She entered into dangerous liaisons to hang on to power, starting with Caesar, the mightiest man in the world. The Romans were not happy about the affair and Caesar was ultimately assassinated. But the Queen continued with her policy of seduction.
Cleopatra set her sights on the new master in Rome, Mark Antony. Legend has it that she demonstrated her great wealth to him by dissolving her most beautiful pearl in a beaker of wine. Antony falls for Cleopatra, even more strongly than his predecessor had, Caesar. And so Cleopatra believes she has reined in Rome and secured Egypt's sovereignty. She's mistaken. The Romans are outraged that the "Queen of the Orient" has again seduced their leader. The Senators refuse to give their support to Antony. The Roman Empire pins its hopes on his rival, Octavian.
The battle between the great powers intensifies: Orient versus Occident. In the September of 31 BC the two powers become engaged in hostilities. Antonius has sided with Cleopatra in the fight against Octavian. The battle takes place in the sea around Greece, halfway between Rome and Alexandria. With his 500 ships and 100,000 Roman legionnaires, Antonius feels invincible. But he is very much mistaken. Antony sets up camp on a swampy shore - strategically, a very poor choice, as half of his sailors contract malaria. Ultimately, only 60 ships are able to put out to sea. And then something happens which cannot be adequately explained to this day. Cleopatra calls back the ships under her command and surrenders without a struggle. A little later, Antony follows her example, a momentous decision. The battle is deemed to have been lost. Octavian will march upon the city. For Cleopatra, this means the end. She decides to commit suicide, sealing the fate of Egypt. Octavian becomes the new ruler of the world. Egypt is now part of his empire. He goes down in history as the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus. The battle in the Mediterranean and the death of Cleopatra bring about the end of a civilization that had lasted nearly 5,000 years. The era which now dawned was called by the Romans the golden age.
Cleopatra set her sights on the new master in Rome, Mark Antony. Legend has it that she demonstrated her great wealth to him by dissolving her most beautiful pearl in a beaker of wine. Antony falls for Cleopatra, even more strongly than his predecessor had, Caesar. And so Cleopatra believes she has reined in Rome and secured Egypt's sovereignty. She's mistaken. The Romans are outraged that the "Queen of the Orient" has again seduced their leader. The Senators refuse to give their support to Antony. The Roman Empire pins its hopes on his rival, Octavian.
The battle between the great powers intensifies: Orient versus Occident. In the September of 31 BC the two powers become engaged in hostilities. Antonius has sided with Cleopatra in the fight against Octavian. The battle takes place in the sea around Greece, halfway between Rome and Alexandria. With his 500 ships and 100,000 Roman legionnaires, Antonius feels invincible. But he is very much mistaken. Antony sets up camp on a swampy shore - strategically, a very poor choice, as half of his sailors contract malaria. Ultimately, only 60 ships are able to put out to sea. And then something happens which cannot be adequately explained to this day. Cleopatra calls back the ships under her command and surrenders without a struggle. A little later, Antony follows her example, a momentous decision. The battle is deemed to have been lost. Octavian will march upon the city. For Cleopatra, this means the end. She decides to commit suicide, sealing the fate of Egypt. Octavian becomes the new ruler of the world. Egypt is now part of his empire. He goes down in history as the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus. The battle in the Mediterranean and the death of Cleopatra bring about the end of a civilization that had lasted nearly 5,000 years. The era which now dawned was called by the Romans the golden age.