When Caesar was murdered in Rome in 44 BCE (you'll remember the famed 'Et tu Brute?' stabbing scene), it jeopardized Cleopatra’s political standing and hold on international power. She paid at least one state visit to Rome with Ptolemy XIV, where she stayed in Caesar’s private villa by the Tiber River. Despite her ongoing affair with Caesar, Cleopatra married her other brother, Ptolemy XIV, Brittanica says.ĭespite her marriage, her relationship with Caesar appeared to continue. She married her other brother, Ptolemy XIV. And perhaps to sweeten the deal (and keep Caesar close to her), Cleopatra soon gave birth to Ptolemy Caesar, aka Caesarion, who is believed to be Caesar's son, in June 47 BC. Queen Cleopatra had now established a strong political alliance with Caesar.

Ptolemy XIII later died while crossing the Nile River as he fled from Cleopatra and Caesar's forces, Brittanica says. The two quickly became lovers and Caesar did, in fact, help her take her throne back from her brother, according to the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE).

Julius Caesar Photo Researchers - Getty ImagesĪfter being ousted from Egypt, Cleopatra sought help from Julius Caesar, the dictator of the Roman Empire, whose army's strength could help her regain her throne. She came to the throne at a time when women were not usually afforded much agency, and used these alliances to her benefit.īTW, Cleopatra was likely married three times over the course of her life (including a marriage to at least one of her younger brothers), which makes for a very bizarre and fascinating history lesson. The Egyptian queen was incredibly smart, speaking at least eight different languages, and strategically savvy about her connections with these powerful men. The new docuseries delves into Cleopatra's various relationships with important, high-ranking Roman men, including her affair with Julius Caesar and marriage to Mark Antony.

She was Egypt's last monarch before it became a province of the Roman empire, and she was very famous for her successful political, er, alliances. In case you’re not already familiar, Cleopatra became Queen of Egypt after her father, Ptolemy XII, died in 51 BC, per Brittanica. The series, which drops May 11, is definitely intense, and features Cleopatra (played by actress Adele James) saying things like “I would die for Egypt” and “I am a god.” Queen Cleopatra delves into the life of one of the most iconic Egyptian queens to ever walk the planet. Netflix has been diving headlong into the lives of powerful queens, and its newest four-part docuseries on Cleopatra is no exception.

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