Cleopatra VII's mother was Cleopatra V of Egypt and her father was Ptolmey XII. Because of recent years of corruption Ptolmey XII gained control over Ancient Egypt. With her father's death in March of 51 BC she gained control over Egypt with her brother Ptolmey XIII in a monarchy. The beginning of their reign was difficult because of intense floods from the Nile, famine, political corruption, and economic difficulties. Cleopatra married her younger brother but did not wish to share power with him. In August of 51 BC their relationship took a turn for the worse. In this year Cleopatra removed his name from all offical documents and removed his coin from circulation. He shortly after gained sole control over Egypt and exiled Cleopatra.

 

   During Cleopatra's exile Pompey became involved in Rome's civil war. When fleeing from Julius Caesar to Alexandria Pompey's generals and officals were given orders to assassinate him by Ptolemy. When Caesar arrived in Egypt Ptolemy showed him Pompey's severed head. Julius was enraged at this action and declared himself ruler over Alexandria.

 

   Cleopatra used this action and Julius' anger towards Ptolemy in her advantage. A story tells of her rolling herself into a carpet to be presented to Caesar at his throne. When the rug was unrolled she tumbled out. Julius took interest in her and made her his mistress. Less then a year later Cleopatra had a son by Caesar whom she named Ptolemy Caesar. After a short civil war in Egypt Ptolemy XIII was murdered and Cleopatra made pharoh with Ptolemy XIV as co-ruler. Shortly after in 44 BC Julius Caesar was murdered in Rome and Ptolemy XIV died from bad health. Her son Ptolemy Caesar was made ruler under her and was named her successor.

 

   With Caesar's death, Mark Anthony was deemed ruler of Rome. Two short years later Anthony summoned Cleopatra to Rome. He too, like Caesar, took interest in her and spent time with her in 42 BC. She later had three sons to him. Two twins, named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene II. Three years later in 37 BC Anthony restored his relations with Celopatra while heading to make war with the Parthians. Less then a year later she gave birth to Ptolemy Philadelphus, her last child.

 

   In 34 BC after Mark Anthony's conquest in Armenia, he crowned Cleopatra and Ptolemy Caesar, her first son, rulers of both Egypt and Rome. Years later after the death of Mark Anthony in war with the Octavian, she commited suicide. The most known and believed story of her death speaks of her allowing a poisionous scorpian to sting her in the wrist. Cleopatra VII was the last pharoh of Ancient Egypt.