Cleopatra

The Ptolemy family had been ruling Egypt since 305 B.C., Ptolemy I had gained control of Egypt after Alexander the Great’s land was divided after his death. The family was originally from Greece with no Egyptian blood in them. In 80 B.C. Ptolemy XII, also known as “Auletes” or flute player, began his rule of Egypt. “Auletes” was Cleopatra VII’s father. Cleopatra VII also had three sisters, two older: Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV, and one younger: Arisinoe IV. She also had two brothers, both younger, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV.
In 58 B.C. Berenice IV decided that she did not like the way that her father was running things so she decided to force him out of Egypt, causing him to retreat to Rome. In 55 B.C. Ptolemy XII returned to Egypt and regained the throne. Berenice IV’s punishment was to be beheaded, Cleopatra VI is also said to have been killed. Ptolemy XII then ruled until his death in 51 B.C., having named Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII as his successors.
In 51...