When a person hears the name, Cleopatra, the first thing that comes to mind is a temptress or a seductress. What people often disregard was her influence on Egypt. Cleopatra was well-educated, and because of this, she was very knowledgeable. She was known to be nationalistic and ambitious. Every action she did, was well thought out and for the benefit of Egypt. She was also goal-oriented and confident. She made sure that her plans for her country would be pursued. Lastly, she was recognized for her intellectual and calculating skills. She was also known to be the last pharaoh of Egypt. People considered her as the reincarnation of the goddess Isis and because of this, she gained power and was remarkably worshipped (Brown 57).
In our society today, female leaders are stereotyped as weak and unworthy to rule. They say that female leaders have no skills and confidence. Female leaders are usually judged and underestimated. Because of this, they are often given little opportunities to show what they are capable of doing. They end up being excluded from male-oriented networks and earn a lower salary than males (“Why are there so few women in leadership?” n.p.).
The strategies Cleopatra used during her rule were very well thought out, and because of this, female leaders who read and understand her story, the hardships she experienced and faced during her rule, will become much more of an encouragement for female leaders everywhere. Those female leaders will be inspired to continue their rule with good leadership and even promote a sustainable development for the future. That is why female leaders should apply Cleopatra’s strategies to become effective leaders.
Cleopatra became the queen of Egypt after the death of her father, Ptolemy...
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...adership because she shows how to surpass all challenges that a leader will experience in his or her life.
Works Cited
Brandford, Ernle. CLEOPATRA. London, England: the Penguin Group, 2000.
Brown, Chip. “Cleopatra?” NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC July 2011: 45-63.
Christensen, Wendy. GREAT EMPIRES OF THE PAST EMPIRE OF ANCIENT EGYPT. New York: Facts on file, Inc.,2005.
“The End of Cleopatra’s Kingdom.” CLEOPATRA VII. Web. October 26, 2013.
Fletcher, Joann, Dr. CLEOPATRA THE GREAT WOMAN BEHIND THE LEGEND. New York: Harper Perrenial, 2012.
Milani - Santarpia, Giovanni. “Queen Cleopatra of Egypt.” Antiquities of Rome. Giovanni
Milani – Santarpia. Web. October 26, 2013.
THE TRUTH ABOUT HISTORY. London: The Reader’s Digest Association Limited, 2003.
“Why are there so few women in leadership?” PWC. PricewaterhouseCoopers. Web. October 26, 2013.
Stacy Schiff author of Cleopatra strives through her book to denounce all historical myths surrounding Cleopatra. With the rigor of a true historian she is able to distinguish historical veracity from historical myth surrounding the queen from antiquity. The author highlights Cleopatra’s role as a powerful woman and in particular how she attempts to manage the various political or economic predicaments she faced. Stacy Schiff gives us a story that is masterfully reconstructed, allowing the reader insight into the historical context of the time- shedding new light on a woman whose greatest fault was not being a man.
In relation to leadership and women, historically women who wanted to seek leadership roles were often seen projecting the traditional masculine model of leadership. This model means to be rational, unemotional and analytic. It also, means in order to succeed traditionally women needed to look and act like a man to be taken seriously in leadership positions. Women in the past often dressed up in suits and ties and anything feminine was seen as an internal “weakness”. To be a leader in power meant to exude confidence in masculinity and shy away from anything remotely girly. As opposed, to the feminine model which casts power as focused on connection and harmony instead of power over something, someone. This power can be skilled through collective gain or physical attractiveness (Kruse 22).
Changing social habits of a contemporary society have seen Cleopatra depicted in many different ways. Whilst few artefacts remain of the true image of Cleopatra, we see from her portrait on the coins (Fear, 2008, p, 21 Fig 1.4) that despite being no legendary beauty, she had the power to captivate two of the greatest Romans of her time. Cleopatra consummated her union with Julius Caesar, which strengthened her grip on the throne, following his assassination; she formed alliance with Mark Antony, in opposition to Octavian, a coalition that would lead to her downfall as both Antony and Cleopatra’s combined forces would be defeated against Octavian in the battle of Actium in 31 BCE. (Fear, 2008, p.7)
In this research paper I will be writing about Cleopatra VII. Her early life, family and her relationships’. Cleopatra VII was born around 69 BC and was the daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes and Cleopatra V of Egypt. Her parents got married in the year 79 BC. Her father Ptolemy XII Auletes was the king of Egypt during 80-58 B.C. and 55-51 B.C. He was born in 117 BC and was also known as the “Piper” because he played the flute. He died in 51 BC, Alexandria, Egypt from being exiled. Her mother Cleopatra V was the queen of Egypt, born in 95 BC. She vanished around the time of Cleopatra’s birth in 69 BC then died in 57 BC. Some people believe she was either murdered or that she may have died while giving birth. (“Cleopatras Family”)
During the Macedonian dynasty, Cleopatra took her reign in Egypt and became a powerful and successful leader. During her reign, she faced many problems, but worked it through and soon it was resolved. When Cleopatra first became ruler of Egypt many believed she wouldn’t be able to do it because she was a woman, was weak, and that she “wasn’t smart.” Her full name was Cleopatar VII Thea Philopator. According to Biography.com, “Cleopatra was born in about 69 BC and died around 30 BC.” Also according to HISTORY.com, “ Cleopatra’s parents were Ptolemy VII and Cleopatra V Tryphaena.” She had many siblings, but some unknown. Some of Cleopatra’s siblings are supposedly Ptomely XIII and Ptomely XIV.
Cleopatra, born in 69 B.C., was an Egyptian Queen and the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. She was from Greek descent and a member of the Ptolemies, who ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years. In just her early twenties, Cleopatra became Queen of Egypt following the death of her father and the defeat of her siblings. Popularly, she is remembered because of her physical beauty, love affairs, and the tragedy of her life. But more importantly she should be celebrated as a commanding female leader who used her intellect to exercise considerable power and influence in a male-dominated world.
According to Egyptian tradition, women could not rule without a male co-regent. Cleopatra likely ruled as co-regent with her father for a short time before his death. After the death of Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra's father, eighteen year old Cleopatra and her ten year old brother became the rulers of Egypt. It didn't take long for Ptolemy XIII and his advisers to act against Cleopatra, causing her to flee Egypt. Cleopatra sought the help of Julius Caesar, one of the most powerful men in the world at the time. With the help of Caesar,
Cleopatra's family were the rulers of Egypt for more than 100 years before she was born around 69 B.C. The stories and myths surrounding Cleopatra's life inspired people to write a number of books, movies and plays, including Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare. Cleopatra has become one of the most well known ancient Egyptians.
Butts, Mary. Scenes from the Life of Cleopatra. Sun & Moon Press, Los Angelos: 1994.
The woman, by definition is the nurturer of life. She labors through birth, tends to the needs of her family, and assumes unending responsibilities. And while women have given birth to the ancient and modern day male heroes we've come to glorify to this day, we must remember that some of those same women have also been tremendously influential and invaluable all throughout the depths of history. One such woman is Cleopatra, the temptress whose ambition and seduction both augmented her empire's prestige and brought about her theatrical downfall.
Once in Syria and situated Cleopatra began constructing an army. She knew that an army alone wouldn’t get her power back. Cleopatra would need some outside help too to get the job done. She needed a powerful ally and Julius Caesar was just that person. She reached out many times to seek Julius Caesar’s support. After many failed attempts at getting his support he finally came through and agreed to help Cleopatra restore her po...
"The Unsolved Death of Cleopatra." Unearthing Ancient Secrets. Prod. Wyatt Channell. Science. SCI. 9 Mar. 2009. Television.
Cleopatra’s upbringing, specifically her education, falls under one of the influences which provided her with the necessary ...
Pomeroy, Sarah B. Women in Hellenistic Egypt: From Alexander to Cleopatra. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1990.
Cleopatra VII, one of the most renowned female ruler in history to be last the last one of her family line of Pharaohs. The myths and stories that surrounded her life have made her the subject of books, movies, and plays. Cleopatra VII has been fascinated people throughout the years, but has been misunderstood by all of them.