Cleopatra's Life

Cleopatra, only about 17 at the time of her father's death, and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, only 12, were required under Egyptian law to marry and have a joint government. Although Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII were co-rulers, she was strong-willed and assumed control of the kingdom. Cleopatra faced many problems. Her kingdom was shrinking due to the rise of the Romans' power and there was famine due to the Nile's failure to flood. Three years after their reign together, Ptolemy XIII, goaded by his advisers, assumed sole control over the government and drove Cleopatra into banishment. She gathered an army in Syria to regain her power, but could not do so until Julius Caesar came to further her cause. Caesar brought an army to Alexandria, and there was a war which Caesar won. In 47 BC, Ptolemy XIII was killed and Cleopatra was named queen of Egypt.