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Pantheon
The Pantheon is built by Emperor Marcus Agrippa, the son-in-law of Augustus. This building was a traditional rectilinear, T-shaped structure that appears to have played a role in the cult of the genius of Augustus. The temple was dedicated to the gods Mars and Venus. The Pantheon was connected to Augustus's Mausoleum by a wide alley. Unfortunately, in 80 B.C., the Pantheon burnt to the ground, but later, Emperor Hadrian built a new Pantheon (Bernard Grun 24). (30 B.C.) -
Death
Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide and Rome absorbs Egypt (Don Nardo 6). After paying last honors to Antony, Cleopatra retired to her headquarters for a final meal. how she died is not know, but on her left arm were found two tiny pricks, presumably from the bite of an asp. Cleopatra's death resulted in Egypt becoming a province of the Roman Empire (Don Nardo 50). (Aug. 10, 30 B.C.) -
Defeated
Octavian defeats Antony and Cleopatra at Actium in Greece (Don Nardo 6). At the Battle of Actium, Antony and Cleopatra fought for control of the Roman Empire. This war led to their final disaster. Because Cleopatra's money built the fleet and supported it, she insisted on fighting at sea. When she fled from battle with the war chest, Antony had little choice but to follow (Gale). (Sept. 2, 31 B.C.) -
A Big Win for Marc Antony
Antony publically proclaims Cleopatra "Queen of Kings" (Don Nardo 6). When Antony defeated Artavasdes of Armenia, he celebrated his triumph not in Rome, but Alexandria. The following day, Antony declared both Cleopatra and Caesarion joint ruler of Egypt and Cyprus. They are also declared overlords of all lands west and east of Euphrates (Cleopatra). (34 B.C.) -
Laocoon
The Laocoon is a famous sculpture of the Trojan priest and his two sons struggling with a huge serpent. This sculpture was most likely made by Rhodian artists. The legend of Laocoon was that he warned the Trojans about accepting the wooden horse left by the Greeks because he sensed that something was off. For a time, the statue was in the Palace of the Emperor (Bernard Grun 24). (38 B.C.) -
Chinese Octave
Choral and dramatic music develops in Greece. This results in the Chinese octave being subdivided into sixty notes. Flutes and bamboo pipes are known to have been in Chinese history dating all the way back to 3000 B.C., which allows us to know that music has been very important to the Chinese for a long time (Bernard Grun 24). (38 B.C.) -
Twins
Cleopatra gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl, whose father was Marc Antony. She named the boy Alexander Helios and the girl Cleopatra Selena. Although she gave birth only a few weeks after the wedding of Antony and Octavia, Marc still acknowledged them. He even made extensive grants of territory to Cleopatra, including the Cyprus, Cyrene, and the coast of Lebanon, all of which had once been a part of Ptolemaic Empire (Gale). (40 B.C.) -
Cleopatra meets Marc Antony
After winning the Battle of Philippi, Marc Antony summoned Cleopatra to Tarsus in Cilicia. She responded eagerly and immediately dazzled him and bent him to her will. After sending his wife Octavia back to Italy on the excuse that she was pregnant, Antony went to Antioch. He sent for Cleopatra and they went through a ritualistic marriage not recognized under Roman law (Gale). (Oct. 23, 42 B.C.) -
Caesar's Murder
Caesar is murdered by conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius Longinus. When Caesr declared himself dictator for life, many members of Senate turned against him. Sixty members decided that the only resolution to the problem was to assassinate him. They decided to kill him while he sat in the Senate because he would be by himself and it would be easier for them to hide their daggers under their togas. After being wounded 35 times, Caesar took his last breath (Bernard Grun 24). (44 B.C.) -
Caesarion
Cleopatra gives birth to a son whom she named Ptolemy Caesarion ("Cleopatra" 105). His father, Julius Caesar, never formally recognized him (). He would now become the heir to the thrown in Rome and Egypt ("Cleopatra" 105). -
Julian Calendar
The Julian calendar consisted of a solar year of 12 months and of 365 days with an extra day every fourth year. This calendar was adopted by Julius Caesar. It is identical to Alexandrian Aristarchus' calendar of 239 B.C (Bernard Grun 24). -
Library of Ptolemy
It is believed that the destruction of the Library of Ptolemy in Alexandria was caused by Julius Caesar. Allegedly, during Caesar's occupation of Alexandria, he found himself hemmed in the Royal Palace by the Egyptian fleet in the harbor. To protect himself, he had his men set fire to the Egyptian ships. Unfortunately, the fire got out of control and spread to parts of the city nearest the shore, including warehouses, depots, arsenals and the Library of Ptolemy (Bernard Grun 24). (47 B.C.) -
Driven out
When Ptolemy XII died, Cleopatra was driven out of Alexandria by her brother Ptolemy XIII. Ministers of her brother did this. They were instructed to do this because Ptolemy XIII feared her ambition to rule alone (Don Nardo 6). (48 B.C.) -
Cleopatra and Julius Caesar
Cleopatra meets Julius Caesar (Don Nardo 21). Cleopatra devised a plan to meet Julius Caesar on her own terms seeking a political alliance and a return to the throne. It is said that she had herself wrapped inside a rolled rug which was smuggled into Alexandria and delivered to Caesar. When the rug was opened, Cleopatra rolled out and immediately charmed Caesar. Within that same evening, Cleopatra seduced Caesar, who was married, and soon became his lover (Cleopatra VII). (49 B.C.) -
Queen
Cleopatra's father, Auletes dies. Cleopatra becomes queen. At the age of ten, she marries her brother Ptolemy XIII (Don Nardo 6). (51 B.C.) -
Birth
Born in Alexandria to Ptolemy XII Auletes and was his third daughter (Gale). Although the identity of her mother is unclear, she was most likely Auletes’ sister Cleopatra Tryphaina. Cleopatra grew up in the luxury of the Royal Palace in Alexandria. Her mother died when she was young and her father remarried (Don Nardo 9). (69 B.C.)
