American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences 
ISSN (E): 2832-8019                    Volume 37, | June - 2025                     

 

P a g e  | 46  www.americanjournal.org 

  

CLEOPATRA – THE LAST QUEEN OF EGYPT AND A HİSTORİCAL 

LEGEND 

Fayzullajonova Ruxshona 

Tashkent University of Applied Sciences 

2nd-year History Student 

ruxshonafayzullajonova@gmail.com 

 

A B S T R A C T K E Y W O R D S 

This article explores the life, political activity and historical legacy of 

Cleopatra VII Philopator — the last queen of Ancient Egypt. It analyzes 

her background, alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, conflict 

with Rome, the Battle of Actium and her death, as well as Cleopatra’s role 

in global culture. The material is based on historical sources and modern 

research. 

 

Cleopatra, Ptolemaic 

dynasty, Julius 

Caesar, Mark Antony, 

Roman Empire, 

Egyptian history, 

Battle of Actium, 

ancient history. 

 

 

Introduction 

In the history of the ancient world, one of the women who stood out for her political intelligence, 

beauty, and courage was Cleopatra VII. As the last independent queen of Egypt, she remained one of 

the most famous women not only of her era but in all of history. Although Cleopatra was of Greek 

origin, she was closely connected with the people of Egypt, deeply understood and defended their 

culture. Her life was full of politics, love, war, and tragedy, and it has inspired many historical novels 

and films. 

Cleopatra was born in 69 BCE in the city of Alexandria. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which 

ruled Egypt after the death of Alexander the Great and was of Greek origin. After the death of her 

father, Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra ascended to the throne together with her brother Ptolemy XIII, but 

political conflicts began between them [1]. 

Cleopatra distinguished herself from other Ptolemies by her intelligence, knowledge of languages – 

she spoke seven languages – and her close relationship with the people. She was the first Ptolemaic 

ruler to learn the Egyptian language [2]. In 48 BCE, when the Roman commander Julius Caesar came 

to Egypt, Cleopatra relied on his political support. A political alliance and also a personal relationship 

developed between them. Their son Kaisarion (Caesarion) was born. Caesar restored Cleopatra to the 

throne of Egypt, and her ties with Rome grew stronger. This caused dissatisfaction among the Roman 

Senate. Cleopatra came to Rome with her son, hoping to unite the two major powers – Rome and Egypt 

– under the name of Caesar. But her hopes were dashed on March 15, 44 BCE. On that day, Caesar 

was killed in the Senate hall. According to the will announced during the funeral, Caesar had adopted 

his sister’s grandson – Gaius Octavius – and appointed him as heir, while there was not a single word 



American Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences 
Volume 37 June - 2025 

 

P a g e  | 47  www.americanjournal.org 
 

about Ptolemy in the will. Cleopatra had to return to Egypt and made her son co-ruler. Three years 

later, the queen met Mark Antony, who was co-ruling the Roman Empire with Octavian. In 42 BCE, 

Antony won the battle of Philippi against Caesar’s assassins [3]. After that, Mark Antony settled in 

Alexandria and became the ruler of several Eastern territories, including Egypt. Mark Antony was a 

successful commander who loved feasting, women, and life itself, and on top of that, he was in love 

with Cleopatra. In 36 BCE, Antony divorced Octavian’s sister and married Cleopatra. After this event, 

his luck changed. Failed campaigns in Parthia and Armenia led to a deterioration of relations between 

Octavian Augustus and Mark Antony, and a brutal war began between them. In 31 BCE, the Battle of 

Actium took place. Octavian’s fleet defeated the forces of Cleopatra and Antony. In 30 BCE, Roman 

forces occupied Alexandria. Antony and Cleopatra, after learning of each other's death, committed 

suicide. There are various legends about Cleopatra’s death. The most famous one is that she allowed 

herself to be bitten by a snake (asp) [4]. According to some historians, she may have taken poison 

instead. 

Cleopatra was a figure who established herself not only as a woman but also as a ruler in the ancient 

world. She captivated two of the most powerful men of the Roman Empire – Julius Caesar and Mark 

Antony. Historians evaluate her as “powerful not only for her beauty but also for her intellect.” Her 

image has also played a significant role in art [5]. Shakespeare portrayed her in the drama “Antony and 

Cleopatra,” while Hollywood immortalized her in the 1963 film “Cleopatra.” 

Cleopatra was one of the strong female leaders of her time and left an unforgettable mark in history. 

Her life shows us the complexity of ancient world politics, the role of women on the political stage, 

and the power of human qualities. Even today, she is remembered as a symbol of strength, intellect, 

and beauty. 

 

References: 

1. Dion Cassius. Roman History. 

2. Stacy Schiff – Cleopatra: A Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2010. 

3. Tyldesley, Joyce A. Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt. London: Profile Books, 2008. 

4. Plutarch. Lives: Antony, Caesar. Oxford: Penguin Classics. 

5. Appian. Roman History: Civil Wars