CLEOPATRA, a name given to the princesses of the family of the Lagides, as Ptolemy was to thek reigning princes. Anc. Univ. Mist. ix. 434.
Cleopatra, the daughter of Auletes, was equally cele brated for her beauty, her accomplishments, her profli gacy, and her misfortunes. She was the eldest of four children, two of whom were sons, and two daughters, and was left joint heir of the kingdom along with her brother, with whom she was to be joined in marriage, by the di rection of her father's will, according to the custom of her family. As young Ptolemy was a minor at the time of his father's death, Pothinus an eunuch, and Achillas commander of the forces, were entrusted with the care of his person and education. These two favourites find ing Cleopatra to stand in the way of their views, deprived her most unjustly of that share in the government which she inherited by her father's will, and drove her from the kingdom. Cleopatra retired into Syria, and having raised a considerable army, appeared at the head of it to assert her right to the sovereignty. On the other hand, the young king, with his advisers, took the field, and marched against his sister. The two armies were encamped between PeInsium and Mount Casins, when Pompey, after the fatal battle of Pharsalia, sought an asylum in Egypt, and determined to entrust himself to the prince's party. The fate of this illustrious but un fortunate Roman, and the perfidy of the Egyptians, are well known. In the mean time Caesar, ignorant of the fate of his adversary, pursued him with all expedition, and arrived at Alexandria just as the news of Pompey's death had reached the city. The people of Alexandria were thrown into a great ferment by the intelligence, and Caesar had very near paid dearly for his temerity, in ven turing himself among them with an inadequate force. As he was prevented from leaving Alexandria, by the Etesian winds which blew during the dog-days, he order ed his forces in Asia Minor to join him. Having gained, however, the affections of the Egyptians by his affable behaviour, lie soon found himself free from danger, and attempted to adjust the quarrel between Cleopatra and her brother. His interference was acquiesced in, as Auletes had left the Roman people executors of his will, and Caesar was at that time invested with the supreme power of dictator. Accordingly advocates were appoint ed by each party to plead their cause before his tribunal.
Cleopatra, however, knowing that, in affairs of state, policy generally overrules the claims of right, did not wish to commit her cause to Caesar, though it was ac knowledged to be good, till he should be prepossessed in her favour. In full confidence of her charms, there
fore, she sought the opportunity of a private interview. It was not easy, however, to obtain this, as the city was chiefly in the possession of the opposite party. She therefore adopted a plan, which she knew would recom mend her to Cxsar as a man of gallantry. Taking along with her only one confidential servant, she went on board a small vessel, and arrived under the walls of Alexandria in the dusk of the evening. Here, causing herself to be wrapped up in a mattress, she was carried by her servant, as a bale of goods, through the streets of Alexandria into Cxsar's apartment. She was laid down at the dictator's feet, and being unrolled, up started the queen of Egypt in all her charms. Cxsar was delighted with the stra tagem ; and, as delicacy formed no part in the character of either, they remained together all that night. Next morning Cxsar sent for Ptolemy, and desired him to receive his sister on her own terms. This was by no means acceptable to the prince : and when he was inform ed that his sister was then, and had been all night, with Cxsar, he left the palace in a violent rage, and running into the streets, he tore the diadem from his head, and cast it on the ground.
The whole city was immediately in an uproar, and the young prince led on the populace to storm the quarters of Cesar, who narrowly escaped being torn in pieces. Ptolemy, however, was seized by some of Cmsar's sol diers, and the tumult was appeased for a while. Next day Cxsat proposed an accommodation, which promised fair to end the dispute. It was, that Ptolemy and Cle opatra should reign jointly in Egypt, and that Ptolemy the younger son, and Arsinoc the younger daughter, should reign in Cyprus. This proposal was agreeable to all, except the party who had expelled Cleopatra, and who foresaw their own destruction in her restoration to power. New tumults were therefore excited, and a bloody war ensued, the particulars of which we shall not i detail n this place, as we are only concerned at present with the biography of Cleopatra. The war was nated by the death of Ptolemy who was drowned in the ile, Caesar himself, on one occasion, has ing nearly shared the same fate.