University of the People
HIST 1421-01 Greek and Roman Civilization - AY2023-T3
Week 4: Learning Journal
Roman Egypt
Most of us may have heard about the Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra, from many plays, films and literature. She was known for her immensely seductive beauty and her tragic love affairs. We should also note that she protected Egypt, which was rich in natural resources, especially gold, for many decades alone and improved the economy of Egypt to a great extent. However, Egypt eventually became the province of the Roman Empire along with her tragic death. In the World History Encyclopaedia, it is stated that "she was simply on the wrong side of a power struggle" (Wasson, 2016). In order to know which power struggle the author
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Amidst the power battle to usurp the throne alone, her brother ran her out of Egypt, but she came back with an army to face him and take the throne to herself. She secretly met and asked for help from Julius Caesar, the military general of Rome, who visited the palace of Egypt. With the help of Caesar's army, her brother was defeated and the throne of Egypt fell into her hands along with her youngest brother. It is said that Cleopatra had a love affair with Caesar and had a child with him, although it was not officially confirmed. It could be said that both Caesar and Cleopatra took advantage of each other, one to protect Egypt and secure her throne, and one to get support from the wealth of Egypt. Unexpectedly, …show more content…
They should set aside their emotions and try to make a stable political situation first. Because, at that time, the Romans were conservative, and did not welcome marriage with foreign women. The citizens were not pleased with Antony's will, which stated that he wanted to be buried next to Cleopatra, and made Alexandria another Rome (Wasson, 2016). Cleopatra should persuade Antony to go back to Rome, and settle things with Octavian, and build his power and supporters there. Together with his military power and Egypt's wealthy resources, they could be powerful and influential rulers throughout the Mediterranean. Letting Octavian unite the citizens and Senate on his side against Antony was a big mistake. If she convinced Antony to win the loyalty of the Romans and get rid of the threat of Octavian, she could avoid the Roman conquest of Egypt and the end of the Ptolemaic