Today in History: Cleopatra commits suicide

Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, was known for her exotic beauty and seduction. However, she was much more than just an enchantress, she was an influential ruler.

Cleopatra, born in 69 B.C., was crowned the queen of Egypt at just 18-years-old upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII. Together, her and her 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII ruled Egypt.

The royal siblings soon began to disagree on matters, and a full-fledged civil war broke out in 48 B.C. Cleopatra soon became close with the infamous Julius Caesar, as Rome had become the greatest power in the western world. She wanted to advance her political power in anyway she could...which meant seducing Caesar.

With Caesar now at her beck and call, her brother was killed by Caesar's men during battle. Years later, Cleopatra most likely killed another brother of her's, in order to further advance her reign once more.

After Caesar was assassinated in Rome, Cleopatra sought her sights on new Roman power, Marc Antony. She succeeded in her conquest, and bore three children with the Roman general.

Years later, after a defeat battle with the newest Roman ruler, Octavian, Cleopatra and Marc Antony both committed suicide. Historians speculate that Cleopatra killed herself with a bite from a poisonous serpent, called an Asp. On August 30, 30 B.C., the ruthless seductress of Egypt was gone.

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