When Ptolemy XIII arrived for a meeting with Caesar he found his sister relaxing on a couch in his chambers and flew into a fit of rage. Caesar immediately reversed the decision of Pompey and reinstated Cleopatra as co-ruler with her brother. Whether it was the beauty of Cleopatra, the fact that she was a direct descendant of Alexander the Great, her courage, or her charisma which charmed Caesar from this point (or shortly after) they became lovers. However, it is suggested by some authorities that she was in fact simply veiled, which is perhaps more likely. Plutarch tells the famous tale of how Cleopatra was hidden in a role of carpet (or sleeping bag depending on the translation) which was unrolled to reveal her in all her glory. Although marriage between a Roman and a foreigner was not permitted (not to mention the fact that Caesar was already married), he never denied fathering her child.Cleopatra was determined to make the most of Pothinus’ miscalculation and managed to arrange a secret meeting with Caesar. In Rome Caesar had a gilded statue of Cleopatra erected, but it is not known if their affair continued. After a year she came to Rome where Caesar housed her on one of his estates. The Queen, who was unpopular in Alexandria, required the protection of Roman legions. With Cleopatra successfully installed, the couple cruised the Nile on the Queen’s royal barge, after which Caesar returned to Rome, leaving a Cleopatra with child. Placing Ptolemy XII’s daughter on the throne meant she would inherit her father’s debts to Rome and was capable of paying them off.
Caesar and Cleopatra were stuck inside for several months before Roman reinforcements arrived, allowing Caesar to take all of Alexandria. Meanwhile Cleopatra’s younger sister, Arsinoe, escaped and declared her own rebellion. Image credit: Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsĬaesar declared Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII to be joint rulers, but this was not accepted by Ptolemy’s supporters, who laid siege to the palace in Alexandria. She is believed to have been the world’s richest woman at the time and able to finance Caesar’s return to power in Rome.īust of Cleopatra VII (left) Bust of Julius Caesar (right).
#CLEOPATRA AND JULIUS CAESAR PAINTING INSTALL#
Cleopatra required the might of Caesar’s armies to install her as ruler of Egypt, while Caesar was in need of Cleopatra’s vast wealth. The pair’s need of one another was mutual. Her servant, disguised as a merchant, unrolled the Queen in front of Caesar inside the general’s suite. In order to avoid being caught by her brother’s forces, she was secreted into Alexandria while rolled up in a carpet. Meanwhile, in the midst of a civil war between her supporters and those of her brother, Cleopatra sought help from Caesar. Caesar pursued Pompey - who had already been murdered by a trio of treasonous Roman military men who were stationed there - and defeated his armies at Alexandria. Watch Nowĭuring Caesar’s civil war with Pompey, the latter fled to Egypt. Featuring Dr Emma Southon and Professor Marco Conti. This documentary tells the story of Julius Caesar's assassination on the 'Ides of March' in 44 BC.
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