After the scene in which Ptolemy threw his tantrum, Cleopatra returned to the palace and was reinstated as queen. She developed a passionate relationship with Julius Caesar who was several years older.  

   A festival was held to celebrate the reconciliation of the royal family. According to the historian Plutarch, while the festival was being prepared, Caesar’s barber, a shy man who was also a good listener, discovered a plot being formed against Caesar by Achillas and Pothinus. Caesar learned of this plot and set a guard upon the hall where the feast was being held. He was able to kill Pothinus. Achillas escaped to the army and raised a “troublesome and embarrassing war” against Caesar.

   Cleopatra’s brother Ptolemy fled the area and also waged war against Caesar and Cleopatra. He was defeated and as his troops fled, Ptolemy drowned in the Nile. His armor prevented him from swimming to the surface.

   Cleopatra and Caesar became the parents of a baby boy that Cleopatra named Caesarion. Caesar returned with her to Rome. Even though she presented herself as a Roman, she was not accepted into society. Caesar was gaining in power and Cleopatra was a trusted advisor during that period. He was planning to return to Egypt just before he was assassinated on March 15.

   Cleopatra fled Rome and returned with her son to Alexandria. When Antony arrived, he was taken with Cleopatra and was said to have fallen in love with her. They had twins--a boy and girl.

    For political reasons, he married Octavia, sister of a political rival. After years of marriage with Octavia, Antony realized he was still in love with Cleopatra. He returned to Alexandria. The two had another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos.

   The tragic story of Antony and Cleopatra became the basis of Shakespeare’s famous drama.