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Home , 40 BC, Cleopatra V, Pharaoh

1. WEBSITE DEFINITION:

Name: Leah Morrison

Website: : ’s last

Purpose: A biography of Cleopatra’s life and discuss her role as the last pharaoh of Egypt and her legacy.

Intended audience: 1. Teachers and students studying 2. Student researching ancient civilizations 3. Students researching famous female rulers 4. Students and young adults who are interested in Egyptian history and Cleopatra 5. Students and young adults who are interested in and dramatic history 6. Students researching ancient and Ceasar

Objectives: 1. To discuss Cleopatra’s life and reign 2. To increase the amount of interest in Cleopatra’s life and reign 3. To increase viewer traffic on the National Geographic and History websites’ Cleopatra pages 4. To increase a younger audience base interested in Egyptian history 5. To increase social media shares/reblogs on Egyptian history or Cleopatra

2. CONTENT OUTLINE:

Home page: Title: Home Header: Cleopatra: Egypt’s Last Pharaoh 5 Primary links: Home, Family, Reign, Marriage, Death, and Legacy, Contact Us 6 Secondary links: Ascension to the , Caesar, , Curses, Photo Gallery Copy/text: (2 – 3 short paragraphs of 3-5 sentences each explaining purpose of site): Excerpts from the featured pages and slider titles 3-6 Primary slider visuals: (Include a thumbnail and title for each image)

The Drama of Cleopatra’s Love Affairs, Cleopatra’s , The Queen’s Claim of Divinity 3-6 Secondary thumbnail visuals: (Include a thumbnail and title for each image)

Primary pages

Primary pages #1 Title: Family Subtitle: Cleopatra’s Family and Power Struggle Subtitles for each subtopic on the page: Cleopatra’s Lineage and Upbringing, Sibling Rivalry Links in addition to the sites primary and secondary links: Copy/text for each topic covered on the page (1- 3 short paragraphs max for each subtopic)

Though much research has been done about Cleopatra’s life, she is still a mystery to us.. In fact, the majority of what we know comes from Greek and Roman scholars. Cleopatra was born around 70 BC to XII and most likely Tryphaena, the king’s wife and possibly half-sister. On the death of her father in 51 BC the Egyptian throne passed to 18-year-old Cleopatra and she shared her throne with her younger brother Ptolemy XIII.

However, soon after the siblings took the throne a power struggle began. Ptolemy’s advisers acted against Cleopatra and forced her to flee to just two years after taking the throne. In response, Cleopatra gathered an army of and returned to Egypt in 48 BC to face Ptolemy’s army at . While this was occurring, Caesar was staking his claim on and Cleopatra sought his help in secret. Caesar assisted Cleopatra and helped to fund her vendetta. The two were successful and they drove Ptolemy XIII out of Alexandria. Ptolemy is believed to have drowned in the River as he fled, leaving the throne to Cleopatra and her youngest brother Ptolemy XIV. It is said she married her brother as a way of securing their throne during this unstable time.

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A hieroglyphic representation of royalty and the traits of a ruler

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Cleopatra used her charm and wealth to control the Egyptian throne. Cleopatra’s wealth was renowned and Egypt coin as a tribute to her power and reign.

Primary pages #2 Title: Marriage Subtitle: Cleopatra’s historic love Subtitles for each subtopic on the page: Caesar, Marc Antony Links in addition to the sites primary and secondary links Copy/text for each topic covered on the page (1- 3 short paragraphs max for each subtopic)

“Whether it was the beauty of Cleopatra, the fact that she was a direct descendant of , her courage or her charisma which charmed Caesar from this point (or shortly after) they became lovers”

After Cleopatra reclaimed the throne from her younger brother with the help of Caesar, Caesar remained in Egypt with Cleopatra for a short time as the two were lovers, and eventually she gave birth to a son. Named Ptolemy Caesar, the child was believed to be Caesar’s, became known as (meaning Little Caesar). After Cleopatra became Caesar’s mistress, she visited him in Rome with her brother/husband Ptolemy XIV and continued to utilize Caesar’s power. After Caesar’s murder in 44 BC, Cleopatra returned to Egypt and she was forced to act quickly to secure her reign. When her brother Ptolemy XIV died shortly after Caesar’s assassination, three-year-old Caesarion was named co-regent to Cleopatra as Ptolemy XV.

With her son as co-regent, Cleopatra’s had complete control over Egypt and her claim on the throne was more powerful than ever. However, after crop failures, floods, and tension in Rome following Caesar’s death Cleopatra had choices to make. Both assassins and friends of Caesar asked for Egypt’s support, and Cleopatra eventually decided support the by sending four Roman legions to their aid. After defeating Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius, Philippi, Mark Antony and Octavian divided the power of Rome.

After Cleopatra was summoned to explain her role in the aftermath of Caesar’s death, Antony also succombed to her charms. Antony agreed to defend Cleopatra and Egypt, pledging to support her in her efforts to remove and exile her sister Arsinoe, who was a potential rival for her throne. When Cleopatra returned to Egypt, Mark Antony followed behind shortly after, leaving his wife and children in Rome. They spent the winter in each other’s company and in 40 B.C., Cleopatra gave birth to twins, Alexander Helios and Cleopatra Selene, after Antony returned to Rome.

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Cleopatra’s affairs stemmed from the need for alliances but only one seemed to bloom into devotion and love 2 or more smaller supporting visuals (Include a thumbnail and caption for each image)

Some believe that Mark Antony’s love for Cleopatra was his undoing

Did Cleopatra truly win Caesar’s love, or did he just use her for her family connections and wealth?

Primary pages #3 Title: Death Subtitle: Cleopatra’s demise Subtitles for each subtopic on the page: The beginning of the end, Cleopatra’s suicide Links in addition to the sites primary and secondary links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH4uUJtPA3Y Copy/text for each topic covered on the page (1- 3 short paragraphs max for each subtopic)

On September 2, 31 B.C., Antony and Cleopatra’s forces were defeated and the Egyptian ships were deserted in the battle. Antony soon managed to break away and follow Cleopatra with a few ships as she fled for Egypt. Octavian’s forces were on the edge of taking Alexandria when Antony heard a rumor that Cleopatra had committed suicide. Losing hope and feeling defeated, Mark Antony fell on his sword and died just as reports arrived announcing that Cleopatra was still alive.

After burying Antony and enduring Octavian’s victory, Cleopatra met with the new emperor and devised a plan for her death. The truth of her death is a mystery, but Plutarch others pursued the theory that she used the bite of a poisonous snake known as the asp (or Egyptian cobra), a symbol of divine royalty, to end her life. Following her death, Cleopatra’s body was buried with Antony’s in accordance with her wishes and the power of an empire was left to Octavian alone.

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The bite of a cobra brought the end of an era 2 or more smaller supporting visuals (Include a thumbnail and caption for each image)

There are several dramatic retellings of Cleopatra’s death, the most popular theory is the bit of a cobra

Sidebar to appear on primary pages (with your recommended content) Titles and or subtitles for recommended widgets: Social Networks, Search, Text Recommended copy/text and links: Learn more about Cleopatra (Link to smithsonian information/national geographic)