Ten hidden facts of Egypt's mysterious queen-Cleopatra

New Delhi: No other queen of the ancient world carries with her the intrigue of Egypt's Queen Cleopatra. Her life, her romantic encounters have given her a magical appeal that has captivated the world ever since.Over the years her tale has been told, untold, reinterpreted by many historians in light of each proceeding art and fashion.And still Cleopatra remains rich, ruthless, and incredibly alluring. We are still fascinated by this woman who made history.Here are ten hidden facts from her life which you might not know:A still from the 1963 film Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor as the Egyptian queen1. Cleopatra was actually Cleopatra VII: there were six other Cleopatras before her, not including the original Cleopatra–Alexander the Great's sister. Elizabeth Taylor (Cleopatra) with Richard Burton (Mark Antony)2. Cleopatra was a powerful and important woman; she didn't need to “seduce” Caesar or Marcus Antonius: Cleopatra was thrown out of Egypt by her brother/husband Ptolemy XIII to conquer the throne.Cleopatra sought after Julius Caesar's help to restore her rightful place as queen, where he plundered Alexandria with his army.The Romans stepped in to assist Caesar in his conquest, ultimately proving to be stronger than the opposing army, in a victorious battle.It was in both of their interests to maintain close relationships.Moreover, it was common for Caesar and Marcus Antonius to have liaisons with royal women; the only difference was that Cleopatra was not shy about the paternity of her children.Cleopatra wanted her son, Caesarion, to be Caesar's heir and to eventually become ruler of Rome.After Caesar's death, Cleopatra needed to maintain a close relationship with Marcus Antonius because he controlled the eastern Roman Empire, her geographical neighbor.They combined their armies to fight the Octavian Empire in the Battle of Actium.Likewise, after Marcus Antonius lost control of this area, he had to rely on Cleopatra's wealth and power. 3. Cleopatra was a writer; she wrote a medical treatise called, Cosmetics: She was a brilliant early mathematician, chemist, and philosopher and met weekly with science experts.She wrote a book named Cosmetics.It was a medical and pharmacological work including several remedies for hair loss and dandruff. 4. Cleopatra murdered two of her siblings: Cleopatra had Marcus Antonius kill her younger sister, Arsinoë IV when it became apparent that opposition forces were rallying around her.Her brothers, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, both ruled with her for a short time; however, Ptolemy XIII died in an ensuing battle while Cleopatra allegedly poisoned Ptolemy XIV after the birth of her son, Caesarion. 5. Cleopatra, it is said, liked to bathe in freshly-squeezed ass milk or goat milk: She wrote her own book on cosmetics.One concoction was made with burnt mice.She also reportedly used a perfume made from rose oil and violets on her hands and anointed her feet with oil made with honey, cinnamon, iris, hyacinth and orange blossoms.Incense burners surrounded her throne.6. Cleopatra could speak seven languages: According to Plutarch, and had keen interests in science and literature.Cicero met her at Caesar's house.Although he loathed her and regarded her as arrogant he admitted she was intelligent and was involved in "things that had to do with learning." 7. Cleopatra had four children–only one survived to adulthood. Cleopatra's first child was a son by Caesar.She also had twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, as well as another son, Ptolemy Philadelphos, all by Marcus Antonius.Cleopatra Selene eventually became the Queen of Mauretania. A coin of cleopatra8. Artifacts and ancient coins reveal that she wasn't so beautiful: The poet Lucan refers to her 'white breasts'. Her coinage shows that she had a hooked nose.The marble busts alleged to be of her suggest pleasant but not spectacular looks.But despite these flaws she is one of the world's most famous seductresses.9. She was not ethnically Egyptian: Although Cleopatra is one of the most famous Egyptian rulers in history; she was not Egyptian by blood.Her heritage was Greek, descending from a line that originated in Macedonia and started with a lieutenant in Alexander the Great's army. 10. She portrayed herself as Reincarnated Goddess for political agenda: One of Cleopatra's best PR tactics was aligning herself as a reincarnation of the goddess Isis, which was a cult that had been burgeoning in the Mediterranean culture for some time.She additionally tried to link her lover, Mark Antony, with Osiris and reinvented herself as a goddess.Cleopatra made sure that she was reflected in portraiture and sculpture in the same way, using art to further her political agenda.She went so far as to appear dressed as Isis at an event related to a successful military campaign into Armenia.

Ten hidden facts of Egypt's mysterious queen-Cleopatra

New Delhi: No other queen of the ancient world carries with her the intrigue of Egypt's Queen Cleopatra. Her life, her romantic encounters have given her a magical appeal that has captivated the world ever since.Over

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