Explore the history of 5 Egyptian pharaohs: King Tut, Ramses II, Cleopatra, Queen Nefertari & Queen Hatshepsut. If you are looking for an Egyptian Pharaoh costume to wear this Halloween, check out these fun facts
Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were powerful and wealthy, ruling the land for more than 3,000 years. Today, their names spur excitement and awe across the globe. While many people know about Cleopatra, Queen Nefertari, King Tutankhamen and Ramesses II, lesser-known pharaohs such as Hatshepsut and Thutmose III are just as fascinating.
Cleopatra VII was the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt. She became co-ruler with her father when she was 18 years old, but soon had him murdered so that she could rule alone. According to legend, Cleopatra had a relationship with both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. The ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was an incarnation of Horus or other gods on earth. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were typically men; however, there were some women who held this title during their lifetime.
The word “pharaoh” means “great house” in Egyptian. Ancient Egyptians used this term to refer to the palace where the king lived as well as to describe the ruler himself. While many people believe that pharaohs are buried in pyramids, this is not always true. Many ancient Egyptian leaders were buried in secret tombs away
Of all the pharaohs and queens of Ancient Egypt, perhaps none is as well known as Cleopatra. The Greek princess (born in 69 BCE) was the last ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty before Egypt fell to Rome.
Although she is often depicted wearing a long white gown and an elaborate headdress, these only became common dress among Egyptian royalty during her reign. In fact, Cleopatra was one of the first pharaohs to wear this type of costume.
Unlike many other pharaohs, she also wore little makeup — except for kohl around her eyes and red ochre on her lips. She was known for being extremely intelligent (she spoke nine languages) and cunning, allowing her to rule Egypt for more than 20 years until her death in 30 BCE.
The myth of Cleopatra is an interesting one. Depending on who you ask, she is either the most beautiful woman in history, a seductress who used her beauty and charm to rule the men of her past, or she’s an overrated socialite who was more propaganda than real.
What is the truth? Well, like many myths, it’s a little bit of everything. Cleopatra did use her beauty and charm in order to get what she wanted. She was also a brilliant ruler that ruled at the end of Egypt’s Golden Age. And yes, she had some help from fellow rulers such as Caesar and Antony to do so. But that doesn’t mean that she wasn’t a strong and powerful leader in her own right.
The only thing that can be said with certainty then is that Cleopatra was a complex figure, one whose life has been romanticized for centuries after her death in 30 BCE.
When you want to dress up as one of the most beautiful and powerful women in ancient Egyptian history, a Cleopatra costume is an excellent option.
Cleopatra VII Philopator was born in 69 B.C.E. and died on August 12, 30 B.C.E. She became ruler of Egypt when she was 18 years old, and ruled alongside her father, Ptolemy XII, until his death two years later. She then ruled with her brothers Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV until she pushed them out of power in 48 B.C.E.
She married her brother Ptolemy XIII to secure her claim to the throne and the throne of Egypt for the rest of her reign, but after he died she married another one of her brothers, Ptolemy XIV, who was also her son from another marriage (more on that below). After his death, she had a child with Mark Antony named Cleopatra Selene II (also known as Cleopatra VIII), who later married Juba II, king of Mauretania (in present-day Morocco).
Cleopatra is probably best known for being the last pharaoh to rule Egypt before the country became a province
Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last ruler of Ancient Egypt. She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which is a family of Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death during the Hellenistic period. Cleopatra was born in 69 BC in Alexandria, Egypt. It is believed that Cleopatra’s mother was the Egyptian Pharaoh Ptolemy XII Auletes’ sister or possibly his mistress.
As was customary for Egyptian pharaohs, Cleopatra ruled jointly with several male co-rulers, who were also her brothers–Ptolemy XIII, who ruled from 51 to 47 BC; Ptolemy XIV from 47 to 44 BC; and her youngest brother Ptolemy XV Caesarion from 44 to 30 BC. At age 18, Cleopatra became co-ruler with her father, who died shortly thereafter in 51 BC. Her eldest brother then took over as pharaoh and married her. Cleopatra later deposed Ptolemy XIII but he did not go quietly. After being exiled by his younger sister, he rallied an army against her and she fled to Syria for three years before returning and driving him out for good.
Cleopatra is perhaps
After the death of his father, Nefertari and her husband traveled to Thebes, where Ramesses established his new capital city. There, she bore him a number of children, including at least four sons and two daughters. Nefertari is depicted in several tombs and temples built by her husband.
Nefertari was one of the Great Royal Wives (or principal wives) of Ramesses II. Her lavishly decorated tomb, QV66, is one of the largest and most spectacular in the Valley of the Queens. Ramesses also constructed a temple for her at Abu Simbel next to his colossal monument here.
The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus described her as “the most beautiful woman in the world”.