Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, ruled alongside and later solely from 51 to 30 BCE. Known for her intelligence and charisma, she carefully cultivated alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, securing her reign amidst a tumultuous political landscape. Cleopatra's reign was marked by ambitious projects, including economic reforms, expansion of trade, and the construction of monumental buildings. She also fought valiantly against Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) in the Battle of Actium, which ultimately led to her downfall. Cleopatra's death, by suicide or execution, remains shrouded in mystery, marking the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty and bringing Egypt under Roman rule.
