The Ptolemaic Dynasty slowly began to decline, as the later successors did not rule as well. The dynasty ended with Cleopatra VI, the last pharaoh.
Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VI. She was born in 69 B. C. and had five siblings; two older sisters, a younger half-sister, and two younger half-brothers. Her voice, says the Greek biographer Plutarch, "was like an instrument of many strings." He adds that, "Plato admits four sorts of flattery, but she had a thousand." (http://www.norfacad.pvt.k12.va.us/project/cleopat/cleopat.htm) Her family was Greek and spoke Greek in their house. The Ptolemaic dynasty was slowly declining because of weak kings and Rome's intervention in Egyptian affairs also affected the dynasty. When a rebellion broke out and Ptolemy XII was forced to leave Rome in 55 B. C., Cleopatra's older sister stole the throne. Cleopatra's next oldest sister, Bernice, killed her and took her place on the throne. However, when Ptolemy returned, he ordered Bernice to be killed for treason. Ptolemy left the throne to Cleopatra and her younger brother when he died in 51 B.C. Cleopatra was only seventeen when she rose to the Egyptian throne. War was declared on Cleopatra by her brother's advisors when she took over as if she was the only ruler. Cleopatra wanted to meet Julius Caesar so she had herself wrapped up in a carpet and given to him disguised as a gift. (http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/ladycont/art2.htm) When Julius Caesar met Cleopatra, he fell in love with her and took her side. Caesar and Cleopatra won, Ptolemy XIII was killed, and Caesar then made Cleopatra the Queen of England. (http:/www.norfacad.pvt.k12.va.us/project/cleopat.htm) However, the custom was that Cleopatra would have to marry her youngest brother, Ptolemy XIV. Cleopatra went to live as Caesar's mistress in Rome after her brother and her had the government secured. Cleopatra then had Caesar's son and named him Caesarion.
