Ptolemaic Dynasty

The Beginning of the Ptolemaic Dynasty

323 BCE

After the death of Alexander the Great, the lands he conquered were distributed to those closest to him. One of those being Cleopatra's ancestors, Ptolemy I. He was given Eygpt and thus the reign of the Ptolemic Dynasty began.

Cleopatra is born

69 BCE

Cleopatra VII was born in Eygpt around 69 BCE. She was the seventh Cleopatra in the Ptolemy Dynasty to have the name and is also the descendant of Ptolemy I. Her father was Ptolemy XII while her mother was Cleopatra V, however, some believe that her real mother was not Cleopatra V

Cleopatra VII takes the throne

51 BCE

After the death of her father Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra and her brother, Ptolemy XIII, co-ruled together. To become powerful co-rulers with one another, the two siblings are later married to each other.

Julius Caesar defeats Pompey

48 BCE

In 48 BCE, Julius Caesar defeats his rival Pompey at Pharsalus in Greece. Later on, Pompey seeks refuge in Eygpt from Caesar. He is welcomed but is then quickly murdered by the faction of Ptolemy XIII. Caesar is not pleased to find Pompey's severed head shown to him once he had reached Eygpt.

Defeat of Ptolemy XIII

47 BCE

The combined forces of both Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII defeat co-ruler of the Ptolemic Dynasty, Ptolemy XIII. Ptolemy was defeated in a battle fought in the Nile Delta. While trying to flee, Ptolemy is caught up in the water and drowns. After the death of her brother, Cleopatra then becomes co-rulers of Eygpt with younger brother Ptolemy XIV.

Birth of Ptolemy XV Caesar

47 BCE

In 47 BCE, Cleopatra VI gave birth to Ptolemy XV Caesar. Cleopatra's son was also given the nickname of Caesarion due to his father allegedly being Julius Caesar. Many feared that if he were actually related to Caesar then he could potentially be the heir to not only Egypt but also to Rome. Julius Caesar also stated that this was indeed his son.

Julius Caesar is Assassinated

44 BCE

Being a prominent figure in Rome and the majority of the ancient world, many groups of people were against Julius Caesar. On March 15th 44 BCE, Julius was assassinated by a group that thought he would destroy the Roman Republic. This event caused an uproar and ultimately created a civil war that destroyed the Roman Republic.

Mark Antony Summons Cleopatra

41 BCE

In regards to Cleopatra VI helping the Greeks that were considered "good", Antony asks Cleopatra to come to see him to answer the rumors about her potentially being disloyal to the empire.

Donations of Alexandria

34 BCE

Mark Antony distributed the Eastern Roman territories held by Rome and Parthia to Cleopatra's children and granted them many titles.

Actium

31 BCE

Octavian defeats the forces of both Antony and Cleopatra by trapping them in the coast of Actium. Antony and Cleopatra flee ultimately allowing Octavian the victory. Many believe that the failure of this war caused Antony and later on Cleopatra VII's suicide.