Cleopatra and Antony

Birth of Mark Antony

83 BCE

The son of Marcus Antonius Creticus and his wife Julia (who was the third cousin of Julius Caesar). His father according to records still available it seems that he was an ineffective and corrupt ruler.

Birth of Cleopatra

69 BCE

The daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes was born to an unknown mother. She had three siblings a sister and two brothers. Her brother, Ptolemy XIII was only eleven when their dad died, and she and her brother were supposed to marry to become co-rulers. Although they didn't marry, the two still ruled in tandem, unfortunately there wasn't peace for long.

Birth of Caesarion

47 BCE

The son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar is born. He is the only male heir of Caesar. Caesarion is also named Ptolemy Caesar, so both are interchangeable.

Alexandrian War

Period: 46 BCE to 48 BCE

This war is a chapter in the Greater Caesar Wars between Julius Caesar and Pompey. This was when Caesar was trying to chase Pompey but he was already killed by Ptolemy XIII's army.

Death of Julius Caesar

44 BCE

Beware the Ides of March! A date covered in other works of Will, but important to note in the context of Cleopatra and Antony's story.

Death of Ptolemy XIV

44 BCE

After her brother drowned in the Nile, her younger brother became co-ruler. Although it was a ceremonial co-ruler role, Cleopatra felt different. She instead wanted her son Caesarion to rule. Her brother died suddenly after being heathy. It is thought that Cleopatra poisoned him to make way for her son.

Execution of Arsinoe IV

41 BCE

Arsinoe IV was the younger sister of Cleopatra, after the war with her brother, Cleopatra took no chances. During Julius Caesar’s Alexandrian War, Arsinoe IV went against her sister. She was captured and paraded around Rome and then exiled to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (now modern-day Turkey). Antony ordered the execution of Arsinoe to help his lover, her being killed in the temple was especially scandalous, because of the sanctity of the space.

The First Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra

41 BCE

In Tarsus, the two first meet. The place where they supposedly meet is a Historical Landmark in Turkey called Cleopatra's Gate. (photo included) They met so Antony could count on Cleopatra's alliance against the Parthians.

Birth of Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene

40 BCE

Twins! The children of Mark Antony and Cleopatra, named Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, are born. This puts the number at three children for the loving couple. The photo is what is thought to be a statue of the children.

The Treaty of Brundisium

40 BCE

The treaty allowed for peace between the two powerhouses, Antony and Octavian. The treaty split control of the empire, allowing for Octavian to control the Western part, and Antony the Eastern. In order to cement this, Octavian's sister Octavia was married to Antony. The coins in the photo were made as a way to commemorate the treaty.

Antony abandons Octavia

36 BCE

Antony's military campaign in Parthia failed, so he went to be with Cleopatra. This enraged Octavian and humiliated Octavia.

Donations of Alexandria

34 BCE

This was a powerful political act by both Antony and Cleopatra, giving their children legitimacy and gave them royal titles. They each gifted a child a large plot of land. This was seen as a betrayal to Antony's wife Octavia

Octavian declares war on Cleopatra

32 BCE

Because of the slights against both himself and his sister, Octavian went to war with Cleopatra and the people of Egypt.

Battle of Actium

31 BCE

The peace didn't last long, and this battle was a crucial battle between Octavian and the combined forces of Cleopatra and Antony. Octavian won handily, destroying what was left of the Roman Empire.

Death of Cleopatra

30 BCE

The painting above, titled Cleopatra Bitten by an Asp, is the assumed cause of death by Cleopatra. Suicide was her cause of death but how it happened is contested. Her tomb has never been found, so we may never know. She was 39 years old.

Death of Mark Antony

30 BCE

Mark Antony killed himself. After he lost the Battle of Actium he went to Egypt to be with Cleopatra. After this they both killed themselves with the knowledge that they had lost their power.

Death of Caesarion

30 BCE

Caesarion is killed by Octavian. Cleopatra knew that she was to die, and expected her son to carry on as sole ruler. Octavian may have allowed for Egypt to continue on but significantly weaker, but later he says that he fears "Too many Ceasers". So he murders Caesarion in order for full control.