Cleopatra Family Tree: The Story Behind Egypt's Last Pharaoh

Cleopatra VII Philopator, born late 70 BCE or early 69 BCE in Alexandria, Ptolemaic Egypt, was the last active pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt (51 BCE – 30 BCE) — partner of Julius Caesar (with whom she had a son, Caesarion) and Mark Antony (with whom she had three children). She died 10 August 30 BCE at age 39, by suicide after defeat by Octavian (Augustus) at the Battle of Actium.

The Family's Roots: The Ptolemaic Dynasty

The Ptolemaic dynasty was founded by Ptolemy I Soter, a general of Alexander the Great, in 305 BCE. The dynasty was ethnically Greek Macedonian, intermarried with siblings to keep the throne pure.

Her Parents

Father: Ptolemy XII Auletes (c. 117–51 BCE) — Pharaoh of Egypt; known as the "Flute Player."

Mother: Likely Cleopatra V Tryphaena — Ptolemy XII's wife; possibly Cleopatra's father's sister.

Her Siblings

Cleopatra had multiple siblings — most of whom she fought, married, and eventually killed:

Berenice IV — elder sister; briefly ruled Egypt; executed 55 BCE.

Arsinoe IV (c. 68–41 BCE) — younger sister; rival for throne; executed on Cleopatra's orders.

Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator (62–47 BCE) — younger brother; co-ruler and husband; killed during siege of Alexandria.

Ptolemy XIV Philopator (c. 60–44 BCE) — younger brother; co-ruler and husband after Ptolemy XIII; killed possibly on Cleopatra's orders.

Her Lovers and Husbands

Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE) — Roman general and dictator; relationship 48–44 BCE.

Mark Antony (83–30 BCE) — Roman general and triumvir; married 32 BCE; both committed suicide 30 BCE.

Her Children

Caesarion (Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar) (47–30 BCE) — son with Julius Caesar; nominal pharaoh of Egypt; killed by Octavian's order shortly after Cleopatra's death.

Alexander Helios (40 BCE – c. 25 BCE) — son with Mark Antony; twin.

Cleopatra Selene II (40 BCE – 5 BCE) — daughter with Mark Antony; twin; later married Juba II of Numidia.

Ptolemy Philadelphus (36–29 BCE) — son with Mark Antony.

The Ptolemy Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Ptolemy XII Auletes (117–51 BCE) — Egyptian pharaoh.

Mother: Likely Cleopatra V Tryphaena.

Siblings: 4 — Berenice IV (executed); Arsinoe IV (executed); Ptolemy XIII (killed in war); Ptolemy XIV (likely killed by Cleopatra).

Lovers: Julius Caesar (48–44 BCE); Mark Antony (32–30 BCE).

Children: Caesarion (47–30 BCE; killed by Octavian); Alexander Helios (40 BCE – c. 25 BCE); Cleopatra Selene II (40 BCE – 5 BCE); Ptolemy Philadelphus (36–29 BCE).

Cleopatra VII:

  • Born late 70 or early 69 BCE, Alexandria
  • Pharaoh of Egypt: from 51 BCE (succeeded her father at age 18, co-ruler with brother Ptolemy XIII)
  • Exiled by Ptolemy XIII 49 BCE; restored by Julius Caesar 47 BCE
  • Julius Caesar visit: 48–44 BCE
  • Mark Antony visit and marriage: 41–30 BCE
  • Battle of Actium: 2 September 31 BCE — defeated by Octavian
  • Suicide: 10 August 30 BCE — traditionally by asp bite; recent scholarship suggests poison; age 39
  • Speaker of nine languages — only Ptolemaic monarch to learn Egyptian
  • End of the Ptolemaic dynasty and of pharaonic Egypt — Egypt became a Roman province

What the Ptolemy Family Story Teaches Us

A father who was a pharaoh. A mother possibly the same as a sibling (Ptolemaic incest tradition). Four siblings — all killed, by Cleopatra or by war. Two famous Roman lovers — one assassinated, one suicide. Four children — the eldest killed by Octavian; the youngest sister married into a Roman client kingdom.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Cleopatra story carries the same lesson. Some royal family records hold both sibling marriage and sibling murder.

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