69-31 B.C.

Egyptian queen who attempted to increase the power of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt by becoming romantically involved with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She married Antony in 37 B.C., even though he had yet to divorce his wife Octavia, the sister of his Roman ruler Octavian (Augustus Caesar). Both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide after Octavian defeated their army in 31 B.C. Cleopatra's efforts to enhance the power of Egypt thus led to its total control by Rome.