Cleopatra's sinister seductions: The four men who loved Egypt's queen ... including her own brothers

After the death of their father, Ptolemy XII in 51 BCE, Cleopatra and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, officially became the co-rulers of Egypt.

Cleopatra, being the elder, initially held more influence and power. However, this arrangement quickly deteriorated. By 49 BCE, the rivalry between them escalated into open conflict.

Ptolemy XIII's advisors, particularly the eunuch Pothinus, saw Cleopatra's dominance as a threat. They persuaded the young Ptolemy XIII to depose of her.

Consequently, in 48 BCE, Cleopatra was forced to flee Alexandria and seek refuge in the southern borders of Egypt.

During this period of exile, Cleopatra sought the help of Julius Caesar, who had arrived in Egypt pursuing Pompey, his rival in the Roman Civil War.

In 48 BCE, Cleopatra famously smuggled herself into Alexandria, rolled in a carpet, to meet Caesar. At the time, Ptolemy XIII had already formed an uneasy alliance with Caesar but had clearly underestimated Cleopatra's influence.

Her charm and intelligence won Caesar's support, and he agreed to mediate the conflict between her and Ptolemy XIII. 

The Alexandrian War ensued, with Caesar and Cleopatra's forces fighting against those loyal to Ptolemy XIII. In a pivotal moment, Caesar's troops laid siege to the royal palace.

Ptolemy XIII's forces were eventually defeated, and Ptolemy XIII attempted to flee. Tragically, in the process of escaping, Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile River.

His death in 47 BCE allowed Cleopatra to finally reclaim the throne.  

To stabilize her new rule and appease traditional Egyptian customs, Cleopatra chose to marry her even younger brother, Ptolemy XIV, who was only about 12 years old at the time.

The marriage to Ptolemy XIV allowed Cleopatra to present a united front to her subjects and placate those who expected a male co-ruler.

As a child, he had little influence: Cleopatra held the true power in their relationship. She was the primary ruler and decision-maker. 

In 46 BCE, Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIV travelled to Rome to visit Julius Caesar, who had returned to the city as a conquering dictator.

During the Egyptian royal couple’s stay, they observed Roman customs and politics, and aimed to strengthen their alliance with Rome. To Cleopatra, securing support from powerful Roman leaders was crucial.

During their stay in Rome, Cleopatra resided in Caesar's villa and was treated with the respect and honor due to a queen.

However, Ptolemy XIV remained largely in the background, a young figurehead without real authority. 

However, their marriage would become almost irrelevant in the light of the growing romantic relationship between Cleopatra and Caesar himself.

While this would have been deeply embarrassing for the young Ptolemy XIV, as the details became progressively more public, it would have deeper political impacts on the ancient world. 

We are told from the ancient sources that when Cleopatra met Caesar in 48 BCE, she had captured the romantic affections of the Roman general.

Her charm in particular was said to have instantly captivated him. Consequently, their alliance grew both politically and romantically.

In 47 BCE, Cleopatra gave birth to a son that was called Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, but who we know as ‘Caesarion’.

In a move that scandalized Rome, Cleopatra claimed that Caesar was the father. This would have significant implications for both Rome and Egypt. 

After returning to Rome in 46 BCE, Caesar had been the one to invite Cleopatra to join him. Despite the political tensions in Rome, Cleopatra's presence was a bold statement of their alliance.

However, this relationship drew the ire of many Roman senators. Her presence in Rome was both a symbol of their alliance and a source of scandal, as many Romans disapproved of Caesar's close association with a foreign queen.

Specifically, Cleopatra's influence over Caesar worried the senators. 

Then, on March 15, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated, which dramatically altered Cleopatra's plans. Without Caesar's protection, her position became incredibly dangerous.

So, after returning to the relative safety of Egypt, she focused on consolidating her power and ensuring Caesarion's future.

It was at this time, in July 44 BCE, that her husband/brother, Ptolemy XIV died under mysterious circumstances. Many historians believe Cleopatra orchestrated his death to eliminate any potential threat to her rule and to ensure her son Caesarion could be her co-ruler. 

Cleopatra's final relationship was with Mark Antony, who had been one of Julius Caesar’s most loyal commanders. He was also one of the three members of the powerful Second Triumvirate.

In 41 BCE, Mark Antony summoned Cleopatra to meet him in the eastern city of Tarsus. There, he asked for her kingdom’s support for his campaign against the Parthians.

The provision of her wealth and resources would provide vital assistance. Cleopatra, aware of the political and military power Antony wielded, saw an opportunity to secure her kingdom's future and strengthen her own position.

Their first meeting in Tarsus is legendary. Cleopatra arrived in a grand and opulent barge, which was meant to awe him with her wealth and majesty.

However, just like the initial meeting with Caesar years before, this meeting quickly turned into a passionate affair as well.

They travelled back to Alexandria together and their bond grew stronger as they spent the winter together in 41-40 BCE. 

By 40 BCE, Cleopatra gave birth to twins to Mark Antony, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene. Then, in 37 BCE, Antony married Cleopatra, which openly defied Roman customs.

This triggered another political scandal in Rome, as he had to divorce his Roman wife, Octavia, to do this. This action angered Octavia’s brother, the young Octavian, who later became Emperor Augustus, who was his political Roman rival.

Octavian used this situation to portray Antony as a traitor to Rome. However, Antony's position in Rome became increasingly tenuous.

As a result, Antony faced increasing pressure from Rome and his marriage became a focal point of Roman politics. 

The conflict between Antony and Octavian culminated in the dramatic Battle of Actium in 31 BCE. Here, Cleopatra and Antony's combined forces suffered a devastating defeat.

After the battle, they fled back to Alexandria where they faced the grim reality of their situation. In 30 BCE, Antony committed suicide after receiving false news of Cleopatra's death.

Consequently, Cleopatra also took her own life shortly after. Their tragic end led to the fall of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt and its absorption into the Roman Empire. 

Sadly, Cleopatra's rule is often viewed through the lens of her relationships with these four powerful men, which has overshadowed her own considerable merits as a ruler.

While her alliances with Ptolemy XIII, Julius Caesar, Ptolemy XIV, and Mark Antony were crucial to her reign, these relationships have sometimes eclipsed her political acumen and leadership qualities. 

As a result, it has led to a historical narrative that often overlooks her own merits as a ruler. She was a shrewd and capable leader who effectively used her intelligence, charm, and political acumen to navigate the unique challenges of her time in power.

Her ability to form strategic alliances, her understanding of Roman politics, and her efforts to maintain Egypt's independence highlight her own strengths as a ruler in the complex world of ancient politics.