As we have been studying the figures of the past that have left their contribution to history and the shaping of the societies they lived in, admittedly we have been motivated by our curiosity to understand how they have worked in periods as Middle Ages, where it is very little discussed once there is a wrong concept about the said period when people mistake it to be the 'Dark Ages'. That being said, most recently we have asked ourselves of the period before Middle Ages and consequently the rise and formation of states as we know now.
So, on this day, we turn our eyes to Ancient Egypt, whose royal representations are best reminded in the figures of Cleopatra VII, Tutankhamon, aside of a few others that some readers might bear their names in mind. The dynasty of the Ptolemaic is probably the most famous of all the dynasties that reigned over the vast empire of Egypt, directly related to the infamous Alexander the Great, a Greek conqueror who claimed to be the son of God Apollo and whose legacies are still perceptible to this day in vast places of Europe.
As we know, Cleopatra VII was his most famous descendant whose name and lifetime are still the object of discussions. However interesting she could have been, the fact she was the eight of her dynasty to bear that name led to question ourselves: who was the first Cleopatra? What can it be said regarding her history? Did she leave a significant inheritance for those who followed her reign? So many questions to be asked, indeed, but with so many few bibliographies to answer them! Nonetheless, this did not stop us in hoping to bring to life this formidable lady, whose name certainly was remarkable enough for being suceeded by the next generations.
Cleopatra the First was born around the year 204. As we have said, there are few informations about her, but we do know that she was a daughter of the King of the Syrian Empire named Antiochus III the Great. It is said she had two brothers, but we don't know their names. Another aspect of Cleopatra's life that reached us is that she was married to Ptolemy V, King of Egypt, around 193 BC when she was ten years of age. The reason for this marriage can be seen below:
"In 197 BC, Antiochus III had captured a number of cities in Asia Minor previously under the control of the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt. The Romans supported the Egyptian interests, when they negotiated with the Seleucid king in Lysimachia in 196 BC. In response, Antiochus III indicated his willingness to make peace with Ptolemy V and to have his daughter Cleopatra I marry Ptolemy V. They were betrothed in 195 BC and their marriage took place in 193 BC in Raphia. At that time Ptolemy was about 16 years and Cleopatra I about 10 years old. Later on, Egypt's Ptolemaic kings were to argue that Cleopatra I had received Coele-Syria as her dowry and, therefore, this territory again belonged to Egypt. It is not clear if this was the case. However, in practice, Coele-Syria remained a Seleucid possession after the Battle of Panium in 198 BC."
As a result of the dowry matter, Egypt was neutral when Syria and the Romans were in a political struggle between one another. As for Cleopatra, she received the nickname "the Syrian" due to her origins, and also,
"As part of the Ptolemaic cult she was honoured with her husband as Theoi Epiphaneis. In line with ancient Egyptian tradition, she was also named adelphe (=sister) of Ptolemy V. A synod of priests held at Memphis in 185 BC transferred all honours that Ptolemy V had received in 196 BC (written on the Rosetta stone) to his wife."
Unfortunately for us, we have not found accounts concerning those events and the gap between them so it is difficult to even picture the sensations and thoughts of this queen. However, one can only speculate that she must have been aware of her position and thus understood the duties and responsibilities coming as a result of such by being married to the King of Egypt.
Whether was the case, Ptolemy V for some reason was preparing to go to war against his consort's brother, the new king of the Syrian empire, when he died. He left three children with Cleopatra: Ptolemy VI, Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VII. As for the former, she served as his regent until her death, around 176 B.C
What we know of Cleopatra as regent is that she prevented the upcoming war with the Syrian Empire and that she apparently "ruled equitably, keeping peace with Syria while doing nothing to alienate Rome, and thereby kept Egypt free of invasion." Also,
"she was the first Ptolemaic queen to be a sole ruler of Egypt. This can be concluded from date formulas on the papyri written in the years from 179 BC to 176 BC, where Cleopatra I is called Thea Epiphanes and her name is written before that of her son. She also minted her own coins [...]."
Perhaps it is safe to say that Cleopatra I was a formidable woman, leaving thus a legacy that likely inspired the women of the next gerations. Unfortunately, her story is short and with few informations, but one may hope that someday this changes.
Bibliography:
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_I_Syra
-https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-I-Syra
-http://emilykq.weebly.com/blog/cleopatra-i
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