Cleopatra takes her own life. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, takes her own life after her forces’ defeat against Octavian, the future first emperor of Rome. Daughter of King Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra had been the lover of Julius Caesar, who in 47 BC had helped her ascend the Egyptian throne from her brother. After the Ides of March, Mark Antony fell in love with her, and in 36 BC the two married. Four years later, Octavian, Caesar’s designated heir, declared war against them. In 31 BC, they were defeated at the Battle of Actium and fled to Alexandria. Shortly thereafter, Mark Antony committed suicide, having heard false news of Cleopatra’s death. Rather than fall into Octavian’s hands, Cleopatra killed herself.
