Cleopatra

Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was known throughout the ancient world for her beauty and intelligence. Every man would fall in love with her. Anthony, who with two others ruled Rome after the death of Julius Caesar, went to the East to meet Cleopatra and discover she was plotting against Rome. When Anthony reached Egypt and saw Cleopatra for the first time, he was fascinated with her beauty and fell in love with her; he completely forgot his purpose there. Anthony stayed in Egypt enjoying the lazy and luxurious life with Cleopatra. Moreover, she wanted him to live in Egypt forever. Meanwhile, Anthony’s fellow ruler in Rome, Octavius was angry to hear that Anthony spent his time in merry-making in Egypt while Rome was threatened by its enemy, Pompey. So, he arranged a marriage between her sister, Octavia and Anthony for political reasons and restored the friendship. Although Anthony treated his wife with great kindness and respect, he longed for Cleopatra in Egypt. In fact, he knew that Octavius was ambitious and wanted to be a single ruler in Rome. At last Anthony went back to Egypt and joined with Cleopatra against Rome. This time Octavius could not tolerate with Anthony so he sent his army to Actium to fight Anthony’s and Cleopatra’s army. The battle was so fierce that Anthony and Cleopatra lost their armies. Feeling ashamed of being dishonoured, Anthony took his own life using his own sword. Cleopatra was speechless with grief. She couldn’t go on living without Anthony. She told her servants to bring her two poisonous snakes. And so, dressed in a queen, she prepared for death. On her throat and her arm she placed two snakes which bite her killed her instantly.