Girl of Ptolémée XII Néos Dionysos Aulète, Cléopâtre, seventh princess of this name, went up on the throne of Egypt at 18 years (51 av. J. - C.) by marrying her young brother Ptolémée XIII, heir to the kingdom of Egypt, controlled by Ptolémées since the death of Alexandre the Large one into 323, then by marrying her other brother, Ptolémée XIV (47 -44 front J. - C.). More attached to Egypt than any of its foreign predecessors, Cléopâtre was the first Greek queen with speaking the Egyptian, adopting certain Pharaonic beliefs and to want to return to Egypt the place which it had before occupied during centuries. Its policy, traditionalist inside, daring outside, constantly were supported by the Egyptian people, of which it had reinforced nationalism and pride. Intelligent and ambitious, it was, one says, of a remarkable beauty which it knew, on the occasion, to put like asset in its political game.

Political game with Rome

At the time of its accession to the throne, the political situation, economic and social of Egypt is catastrophic: impotence and indifference of the governors, cupidity and ambition of the administrators, indiscipline and exactions of the civils servant made kingdom a ground delivered to the anarchy and promised with a new colonization. The play of Cléopâtre will be to turn the first to Rome and to try to transform a simple colonization into an alliance with the profit of Rome and Egypt.  

César and the control of Egypt
Having defeated Pumped in Pharsale, Julius Caesar arrives at Alexandria in October 48. It is 54 years old. Allured by Cléopâtre, it will defend its rights to the crown by carrying out the war of Alexandria against Ptolémée I Sôter, thus risking its life and its fortune for this young 21 year old queen. Victorious at the end of six months, César goes on a cruise on the Nile accompanied by Cléopâtre. It then followed it to Rome and remained there until the death of César. It reigned with the son whom it had of him into 47, Ptolémée XV, and which was called Césarion by the Alexandrines.  

Antoine and Roman Empire of the East
After the death of César (44) and the battle of Philips (42) who makes Antoine main of the East, Cléopâtre subjugates the Roman general at the time of an interview in Tarse. Both then carry out what Plutarque called “the inimitable life”, life of softnesses, festivals and feasts. It had three children with Antoine. It gives to Cléopâtre, become his wife legitimates, Phénicie, Syria, part of Cilicie, Cyprus and Arabia of Nabatéens. This situation, badly seen in Rome, finishes, into 31, by the battle of Actium, where one sees the Egyptian galleys fleeing the combat and Antoine to give up his army.  

Octave and the fall of Cléopâtre
The legions of Octave (Auguste, initially known under the name of Octave) invade Egypt. Cléopâtre for the last time tries to rectify its fortune by conquering its winner, but the coldness of Octave makes him lose any hope. After the suicide of Antoine, it commits suicide while being let bite by a snake, thus escaping humiliation from the Roman triumph.  

One had needed of it little that the unit of the Empire and ancient world was not done with the profit of Cléopâtre, ultimate sovereign of Egypt. Egypt was then annexed by Rome.