Caesar and Cleopatra - an ancient soap opera. by andyzomorf

Gaius Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII Philopator;
Two iconic personalities of the Ancient classical world. Despite a more than thirty year age difference, Cleopatra and Caesar became lovers during his stay in Egypt between 48 BC and 47 BC. They met when they were 21 (Cleopatra) and 52 (Caesar), Caesar lusted after her the minute she revealed herself to him by being unrolled, by her servants hidden inside a persain carpet Cleopatra tumbled out. Nine months after their first meeting, Cleopatra gave birth to their child, Ptolemy Caesar (nicknamed “Caesarion” which means “little Caesar”). Cleopatra claimed Caesar was the father and wished him to name the boy his heir, but Caesar refused, choosing his grand-nephew Octavian instead. Caesarion was the intended inheritor of Egypt and Rome, uniting the East and the West.
Cleopatra and Caesarion visited Rome between 47 BC and 44 BC and may have been present when Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators hoping to restore R ome to a Republic on 15 March, 44 BC. Before or just after the assassination she returned to Egypt.
After Caesar’s assassination, she aligned with Mark Antony and the rest is history.
Cleopatra’s motive was to restore her power to the throne in place of her brother Ptolemy XIV with whom she had co-shared since she was 18 and they had been in civil dispute. Caesar sided with her for a number of reasons but their union on her behalf was as much a political as a romantic one.
Though she bore the ancient Egyptian title Pharaoh, her main language was Greek; for several centuries preceding her rule, Egyptian kings had been of Macedonian origin. Cleopatra is reputed to have been the first member of her family in their 300-year reign in Egypt to have learned the Egyptian language. Cleopatra adopted common Egyptian beliefs and deities. Her patron goddess was Isis, and thus during her reign it was believed that she was the re-incarnation and embodiment of the goddess of wisdom.

This will be the final segment of the legacy of neo-classical art I will do but it is a project that will not bear fruit for at least a year.
My aim will be to compile parts of all three (by then) shots to form a selection to exhibit at a gallery.