Ancient Egyptian Forum

auri · Tomb Robber Joined: 11 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

It's pretty clear that Ceopatra's reputation and personality was pretty much demonised by the Romans but the one question I can't seem to find an answer for was ... What did the Egyptian people think of her?

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NileQueen · Servant Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 38

I think they would like her more than her predecessors since she was the only one of her like to actually learn Egyptian and try to really rule the country.

Osiris II · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject:

I really can't say much about her popularity with the common peoples. But she did accomplish much.

She was extremely popular with her troops.
She supported studies at the library in Alexandria.
She influenced Caesar to change the calender.
She spoke several languages, and was the first Ptolomy to speak Egyptian.
She fought (politically) extremely hard for an independent Egypt, and, when
she realized this was not to be, planned a Greco-Roman Empire with Anthony.

We'll probably only be able to guess what more she would have done if she had lived longer.

Anubis2001 · Servant Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 31

I think Cleopatra was probably liked and hated—she was an ancient pistol. For one thing, so had done so much for Egypt and made it powerful again. Strategically she was a smart woman who was highly educated and sure of herself. Can you imagine her mindset seducing some of the world’s ruthless leaders? She obviously was attracted to power and this alone must have thrusted* her into the limelight. I bet so many citizens found this such an interesting quality, in turn, making her a fascination.
I do believe the Romans must have hated her simply because she slowly weeded her way up the ranks. She aligned herself with the world greatest powers and many Romans saw Egypt as a weak and wealthy nation.
To sum things up I guess it really all depends on what perspective you are viewing her from.
Wink

Peret Kheru · Servant Joined: 28 Mar 2009 Posts: 7

I believe she was "liked" (or at least respected) by her subjects, as she was revered as the embodiment of Isis, a fact she made very clear to the powerful forces threatening the autonomy of Egypt during her reign. Though it is recorded that she was indeed highly adept at seduction, it is also recorded she was entirely faithful to both Ceasar and to Marc Antony, not to mention her four children (typifying the Isiac Mother nature). There are a number of well-researched biographical treatises on her - but admittedly, I haven't gotten to them... yet.

My question would be, was she closer to Claudette Colbert, or to Liz? Wink

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Osiris II · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject:

My question would be, was she closer to Claudette Colbert, or to Liz?

lol--actually, neither. From existing portraits of her, mostly taken from coins of the time, she was not a terrible attractive woman. Most of her contemporaries mention her charm and intelligence, more than her beauty. She was the first ruler, after the Egyptians themselves, who spoke the Egyptian language, among six others that she mastered. She was very concerned with restoring Egypt to the place of supreme authority that it had once had in its past. She was very concerned with the welfare of her people. She was the patroness of the library of Alexandria, and was (we are told) extremely upset when it burned.
All in all, she seems to have been a fascinating woman!

Akhnaton · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject:

I'm sure a strong-willed woman like Cleopatra was loved by her people. Yes, I admire her for having been patroness of the famed library at Alexandria. God knows what invaluable treasures we lost with it's burning.
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tbruner · Servant Joined: 21 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

When you talk about Cleopatra, did you know that there were seven of them. The 7th was the one who caused the end of Ancient Egypt, by messing with Ceaser and Mark Antony. I think she was like by the people, but there might have been some friction between her and her Generals.

tnrees · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:31 pm Post subject:

I do not think she caused the Roman takeover - they would have come some time soon anyway.

tbruner · Servant Joined: 21 Feb 2011 Posts: 44

Archeologists marked this the end of Ancient Egypt, and the beginning of the Roman occupation, and the beginning of modern Egypt. They could have used any time period after Cleopatra's death to end Ancient Egypt, but this is were they drew the line in the sand.