1. 2600 BCE – 31 BCE

2.  Revolts happen in Nubia, Palestine, Israel which push the Egyptians back to their traditional land near the Nile  Low floods hurt crops and trade  Egyptian army dependent on mercenaries yet poor trade means that there is not always enough money to pay them.  Close connection between priests and pharaohs destroyed after Akhenaten tries to make Egypt monotheistic  Egypt is a target due to wealth and prime location on the Nile

3.  Libyans (940BCE)  Nubians (750 BCE)  Assyrians (652 BCE)  Persians (525 BCE)  Macedonians (Alexander the Great 332 BCE) )  Romans (31 BCE)

4.  Conquers Egypt in 332 BCE  He is welcomed by the Egyptians as he is seen as a liberator from the Persians  Establishes the city of Alexandria

5.  The historian and scholar Mangasarian writes,  “Under the Ptolemies, a line of Greek kings, Alexandria soon sprang into eminence, and, accumulating culture and wealth, became the most powerful metropolis of the Orient. Serving as the port of Europe, it attracted the lucrative trade of India and Arabia. Its markets were enriched with the gorgeous silks and fabrics from the bazaars of the Orient. Wealth brought leisure, and it, in turn, the arts. It became, in time, the home of a wonderful library and schools of philosophy, representing all the phases and the most delicate shades of thought. At one time it was the general belief that the mantle of Athens had fallen upon the shoulders of Alexandria.”

7.  Following Alexander’s death, Ptolemy, who is one of 6 generals who served Alexander, is made the saytrap of Egypt.  Ptolemy declares himself king of Egypt in 305 BCE.  This last dynasty lasts 275 years, from 305 BCE to 30 BCE.

9.  Face of Cleopatra Video Face of Cleopatra Video

10.  1 st ruler in her family that could speak Egyptian language  Father was exiled from Egypt when Cleopatra was 13 and older sister took the throne – when the father returned (within a year), the older sister was killed. Her other older sister (Cleopatra VI) also mysteriously dies around this same time.  Cleopatra’s father dies 4 years after his return leaving Cleopatra the oldest child.

12.  After three years of co-rule with Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra is banished and goes to Syria.  Rome is in turmoil, Caesar and Pompey are fighting for control. Ptolemy chooses Caesars side and has Pompey killed when he visits Egypt. Caesar is outraged, goes to Egypt and orders both co-pharaohs to the court.

14.  Ptolemy captured and dies trying to escape  Cleopatra placed back on Egypt’s throne by Caesar and she is forced to marry Ptolemy XIV who is another younger brother who serves as another “co-pharaoh”  Cleopatra leaves with Caesar and lives in Rome until his death.  She returns to Egypt, Ptolemy XIV suddenly disappears and she names her son 4 year old son Caesarian as co-pharaoh

15. Military General, Caesars 2 nd in command Caesar’s young stepson Studying abroad in Greece at Caesars death

16.  Cleopatra chooses to side with Mark Antony. She seduces him (dressed as Venus on a barge), has three children with him, and supports his army with Egyptian troops.

17.  Naval battle between Mark Antony and Octavian’s forces. Mark Antony and Cleopatra lose 200 ships (2/3 of their navy). The army hears about the loss and desert.

19.  Earlier conquerors left the Egyptians in control and simply required monetary payments.  Rome removes all traditional Egyptian government. There are no more pharaohs.  Rome places a regional governor in place to oversee the area  The official language becomes Latin, Egyptian gods are replaced with Roman gods, Roman money is used across Egypt, and new buildings are built in the Roman style.  Ancient Egyptian culture dies out in a generation or two.

21.  What are Cleopatra’s accomplishments? Should she be a hero to her people?  What are Cleopatra’s failures? Should her reign be considered a failure?  Why is she famous more than 2000 years after her death?