Cleopatra VII Coin

Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator was the ruler of Egypt from 51 – 30 BCE. As Pharaoh, she consummated a liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne. After Caesar’s assassination, Cleopatra aligned with Mark Antony.

Cleopatra had four children, one by Caesar and three by Antony. Her reign marks the end of the Hellenistic Era and the beginning of the Roman Era in the eastern Mediterranean. She was the last Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. ‍

Josephus, Antiquities, 14.13.1                  

"When after this Antony came into Syria, Cleopatra met him in Cilicia, and brought him to fall in love with her."

Pictured here is a silver coin with the bust of Cleopatra VII minted in Ashkelon, Israel. Ashkelon was a well-established mint since 104 BCE.