While a lot of the controversy in the new Netflix Cleopatra docuseries is around her race, it is important to understand the facts of her death as well

The new Netflix docuseries has sparked much debate about Cleopatra’s ethnicity, but it’s important to comprehend the truth regarding her demise.

Cleopatra, the last active Pharaoh of Egypt, took her own life at age 39 in 30 BC, following the Battle of Actium, in which she and her lover Mark Antony were defeated.She chose to die rather than be taken prisoner by Octavian, the future Roman Emperor Augustus.Legend has it that she used a poisonous snake to end her life.

Cleopatra was a prominent figure in ancient history, known for her intellect, beauty, and love affairs with powerful men.She was the first member of the Ptolemaic dynasty to learn the Egyptian language and is considered to be one of the most important female rulers in history.However, her reputation has been distorted by centuries of propaganda and false information.Cleopatra was born in 69 BC as the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes, the King of Egypt.She was married to her brother, Ptolemy XIII, but they soon became rivals for the throne.Cleopatra initially fled to Syria, but in 47 BC, she returned to Egypt with the help of Roman general Julius Caesar.They became lovers and Cleopatra bore a son, Caesarion, believed to be Caesar’s child.

After Caesar’s assassination in 44 BC, Cleopatra aligned herself with another Roman leader, Mark Antony.They also became lovers and had three children together.However, their alliance was challenged by the rise of Octavian, who later became the Roman Emperor Augustus.In 31 BC, Cleopatra and Mark Antony faced defeat in the Battle of Actium, and Cleopatra committed suicide by poisoning herself.

Despite her intelligence, political skills, and achievements in stabilizing Egypt, Cleopatra has been portrayed as a seductive and manipulative woman in history and popular culture.This misrepresentation of her character has been perpetuated by writers, artists, and filmmakers, who have depicted her in a negative light.Nonetheless, Cleopatra remains an iconic figure whose legacy continues to captivate scholars and the public alike.

Irrespective of the dispute surrounding her ethnicity, Cleopatra’s demise is a momentous event in the past, signifying the conclusion of the Ptolemaic era and the commencement of Roman dominance in Egypt. Researchers and historians still find her life and impact intriguing, while she serves as a lasting representation of women’s fortitude and authority across the globe. Despite the controversy surrounding Cleopatra’s ethnicity, her death remains a significant historical event that marked the end of the Ptolemaic empire and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt. Even today, researchers and historians remain fascinated by her life and legacy, viewing her as a symbol of female strength and leadership around the world.

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