Why was Cleopatra so smart?
The Ptolemies, a group of kings that controlled Ancient Egypt for about 300 years, included Cleopatra VII, also known as “Cleopatra,” as their final monarch. Egypt, Cyprus, a portion of present-day Libya, and other Middle Eastern countries were all part of Cleopatra’s kingdom. In 69 B.C., Cleopatra was born into an unstable royal family. The…
The Ptolemies, a group of kings that controlled Ancient Egypt for about 300 years, included Cleopatra VII, also known as “Cleopatra,” as their final monarch. Egypt, Cyprus, a portion of present-day Libya, and other Middle Eastern countries were all part of Cleopatra’s kingdom.
In 69 B.C., Cleopatra was born into an unstable royal family. The Macedonian general who had served under Alexander the Great was the ancestor of the Ptolemies. Their monarchy was overshadowed by the might of Rome despite having controlled Egypt for nearly three centuries, and there was a great deal of internal strife that eventually led to Cleopatra battling against her own brother.
Ptolemy XII and an unidentified mother raised Cleopatra as their children. The Romans exerted a lot of pressure on Ptolemy XII (reign: 80–58 B.C.), who battled to maintain his grasp on power.
Why was Cleopatra so smart?
Many historians, notably Plutarch, have commended Cleopatra’s intelligence. She was knowledgeable about mathematics, philosophy, and debating. Her original speech was Koine Greek, but she acquired fluency in at least nine other languages throughout her rule, including Arabic and Hebrew. She was also endowed with languages. Once more, she was successful in achieving her goals by employing her feminine seductiveness.
