Cleopatra VII, was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes, the King of Egypt. She had two older sisters and two younger brothers. She was one of the most fascinating women in history. She was known for her intelligence, charm, wit, and ambition.

When she was 17 years old, her father died and left her and her 10 year old brother, Ptolemy XIII, in charge of Egypt.

When the Roman military leader Julius Caesar was in Egypt, he fell in love with Cleopatra. After a few years they moved to Rome. They lived there until Caesar was killed in 44 BC. She returned to Egypt where she married her brother, Ptolemy XIII, who was also the ruler of Egypt. After a while, she had her brother poisoned and became Queen of Egypt.

Mark Antony, another Roman general, fell in love with Cleopatra and married her. He wanted to become the ruler of Rome. Cleopatra saw it as an opportunity to expand her power. She wanted to rule the eastern side of the Roman Empire. Mark Antony and Cleopatra ruled this empire from 41 BC - 31 BC.