Biography of Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC

Paternal Family Tree: Macedonia

Before 69BC [her father] Ptolemy XII Auletes Pharoah of Egypt 117BC 51BC (age 47) and [her mother] Cleopatra V Tryphaena 57BC were married. They were uncle and niece.

In 69BC Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC was born to [her father] Ptolemy XII Auletes Pharoah of Egypt 117BC 51BC (age 48) and [her mother] Cleopatra V Tryphaena 57BC. Coefficient of inbreeding 47.27%.

Before 21st March 51BC [her father] Ptolemy XII Auletes Pharoah of Egypt 117BC 51BC (age 66) died. His daughter Cleopatra (age 18) succeeded Pharaoh of Egypt.

Around October 50BC Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator 61BC 47BC (age 11) and Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 19) were married. They were brother and sister.

On 13th January 47BC [her half-brother] Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator 61BC 47BC (age 14) drowned in the River Nile following, or during the course of, the Battle of the Nile.

After 13th January 47BC Ptolemy XIV Philopator 59BC 44BC and Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 22) were married. They were brother and sister.

On 23rd June 47BC [her son] Ptolemy XV Ceasar aka Caesarion 47BC 30BC was born to Gaius Julius Caesar 100BC 44BC and Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 22).

After 26th March 44BC [her half-brother] Ptolemy XIV Philopator 59BC 44BC died.

Around July 40BC [her daughter] Cleopatra Selene II 40BC 5BC was born to Mark Antony 83BC 30BC (age 43) and Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 29).

Death of Antony and Cleopatra

On 10th August 30BC Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 39) committed suicide.

Cassius Dio Roman History Book 51 Chapter 14. 10th August 30BC. 1. And no one knows clearly by what means she [Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 39)] was destroyed: for only small punctures were found around her arm: some say that an asp was brought to her in a water jar or even in some flowers.

1. καὶ τὸ μὲν σαφὲς οὐδεὶς οἶδεν ᾧ τρόπῳ διεφθάρη: κεντήματα γὰρ λεπτὰ περὶ τὸν βραχίονα αὐτῆς μόνα εὑρέθη: λέγουσι δὲ οἱ μὲν ὅτι ἀσπίδα ἐν ὑδρίᾳ ἢ καὶ ἐν ἄνθεσί τισιν ἐσκομισθεῖσάν οἱ.

Cassius Dio Roman History Book 51 Chapter 13. 10th August 30BC. 5. She [Cleopatra VII Philopator 69BC 30BC (age 39)] gave orders to Epaphroditus, so that under the pretext of taking him away, she could have something else cleared from her path, and thus she attended to the task. After putting on her most splendid clothing, arranging herself in the most becoming manner, and assuming her entire royal appearance, she died.

5. Ἐπαφροδίτῳ σεσημασμένον, ὅπως προφάσει τῆς ἀποκομιδῆς αὐτοῦ ὡς καὶ ἄλλο τι ἔχοντος ἐκποδών οἱ γένηται, δοῦσα ἔργου εἴχετο. τήν τε γὰρ ἐσθῆτα τὴν περικαλλεστάτην ἐνδῦσα, καὶ ἑαυτὴν εὐπρεπέστατα εὐθετήσασα, τό τε σχῆμα τὸ βασιλικὸν πᾶν ἀναλαβοῦσα, ἀπέθανε.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

1658. Guido Cagnacci (age 56). "The Death of Cleopatra".

1674 to 1675. Benedetto Gennari II (age 40). "Cleopatra".

1797. Jean-Baptiste Regnault (age 42). "The Death of Cleoptra".

1874. Jean-André Rixens (age 27). "The Death of Cleopatra".

1890. John Collier (age 39). The Death of Cleopatra.

1892. Reginald Arthur Smith (age 21). "Cleopatra".

1744. Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (age 47). "The Banquet of Cleopatra".

1787. Louis Gauffier (age 25). "Cleopatra and Octavian".

1866. Jean-Léon Gérôme (age 41). "Cleopatra and Ceasar".

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.