Cleopatra Upbringing

• Cleopatra's birth

  Born into Ptolemaic dynasty (Macedonian-Greek Heritage) in 69BC
• Cleopatra Father - why he wasnt liked

  Ptolemy Auletes (XII)

  had to rely on Rome to rule
• Cleopatra's siblings

  In order of age: Berenice IV, Arsinoe, Ptolemy XIII, Ptolemy XIV
• Ptolemy XIII relationship with Cleopatra


  killed in civil war against Cleo (according to sources) due to Ptolemy’s advisors ensuring that they never got along
• Arsinoe relationship with Cleopatra

  was youngest and during war between Caesar and Ptolemy XIII, Arsinoe and her tutor broke out of the royal palace to join Egyptian forces against Caesar - Caesar won and she appeared in Caesars triumph in Rome and was later executed by Antony (under Cleo’s orders)
• Ptolemy XIV relationship with Cleopatra

  brother and husband of Cleopatra, 13 when into power with Cleo due to Caesar creating their ties - died of illness but Cleo has been linked with his death
• Education


  likely educated in Alexandria by top teachers - member of royal family so she would have received top-class education - further encouraged by her wit and intelligence she displays in later life
• Education for Women

  Cleopatra got better education compared to women of her time

  most girls would learn household skills through their mother

  if wealthy they would be educated in reading, writing and arithmetic by tutor at home
• Reasons why Cleopatra had Academic Education

  she was in the ‘academic heart’ of the ancient world

  she was the first person in her family to learn Egyptian as they had all previously spoken Greek
• Cleopatra 12yrs old (58BC)- Ptolemy Auletes fled to Rome


  Ptolemy Auletes angered citizens of Alexandria and fled to Rome for safety / support
• Who took over Egypt after Ptolemy Auletes fled

  Cleo’s sister Berenice seized throne, father returned after three yrs before returning with Roman armed forces
• What happened to Berenice when Ptolemy Auletes came back

  He ordered for the execution of his daughter (Bernice) but when he got his power back he was still unpopular as he still relied on the Romans
• Ptolemy XII died (in spring of 51BC) - gave his will to the Romans


  the will said how his eldest daughter Cleopatra and eldest son Ptolemy XIII (7/8 years old) will rule jointly
• State of Egypt after Ptolemy Auletes died

  Egypt was a struggling and divided kingdom which was fully dependent on Rome during and after the death of Ptolemy XII.