Kleopatra

Kleopatra, commonly known as Cleopatra VII Philopator, was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. A member of the Greek Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty, she reigned from 51 BC to 30 BC, initially ruling jointly with her brother Ptolemy XIII and later with Ptolemy XIV. After aligning with Julius Caesar to regain the throne, she ruled Egypt beside Caesarion, her son by Caesar, and later allied with Mark Antony. Their forces were defeated at Actium in 31 BC, and Antony and Cleopatra died soon after, leaving Egypt as a province of Rome.

Kleopatra is remembered for her political acumen, diplomacy, and efforts to preserve Egypt's independence amid Roman expansion. Ancient sources such as Plutarch and Cassius Dio describe her intelligence and oratorical skill, but their accounts are shaped by Roman perspectives. She spoke multiple languages and fostered alliances through rhetoric, and she supported Alexandria as a center of learning and culture during her reign.

Her legacy extends beyond history into literature and film, where she is depicted as a powerful yet romantic figure. Modern scholarship emphasizes her role as a ruler navigating complex imperial politics rather than as a mere emblem of seduction.