Cleopatra VII Philopatōr was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a Greek Macedonian family originally from Macedon Northern Greece. The Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt for almost three hundred years, from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE to the Roman conquest in 30 BCE.
* Ancestry: Cleopatra's ancestors were prominent generals and companions of Alexander the Great who established themselves as rulers in Egypt after his death. Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander's generals, founded the Ptolemaic dynasty and became the first pharaoh of Egypt. Cleopatra was a descendant of Ptolemy I and his wife Eurydice.
* Macedonian and Greek Heritage: The Ptolemies maintained their Greek and Macedonian cultural identity throughout their rule in Egypt. Cleopatra, like her predecessors, considered herself Greek, and her family spoke Greek as their native language.
* Greek and Egyptian Fusion: The Ptolemaic rulers adopted several Egyptian customs and traditions to maintain harmony with their Egyptian subjects. They incorporated Egyptian religious beliefs and practices into their own, and Cleopatra herself was highly educated in both Greek and Egyptian culture.
* Intermarriages: The Ptolemaic dynasty often practiced intermarriages to solidify their power and maintain the purity of their bloodline. Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII Auletes, married his sister Cleopatra V Tryphaena, making Cleopatra VII the product of a brother-sister union.
* Sibling Rivalries: Cleopatra faced considerable challenges from within her own family. Her father's will designated her and her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, as joint rulers, leading to a civil war that lasted for several years. Cleopatra ultimately emerged as the victor and co-ruled with her brother, Ptolemy XIV.
* Rivalry with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony: Cleopatra's relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, prominent Roman leaders, had significant political and personal implications. Her strategic alliances and influence over these Roman figures played a crucial role in shaping the fate of Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean region during her time.
Cleopatra's family background, marked by Macedonian heritage and a rich blend of Greek and Egyptian cultures, shaped her identity, political strategies, and cultural contributions as the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty and a prominent figure in ancient history.