When Cleo met Julius ... by rolling herself up in a carpet
Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
User-created
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
From the #HistoryOfUs series
48 BC: You’re Julius Caesar and have just arrived in Cairo to settle a vicious family feud for the crown of Egypt. After a long journey, you’re getting ready for bed when a recently delivered rug unrolls itself across the floor ...
A young woman falls out of it: It is Cleopatra, queen of Egypt! – This moment will change history. At least that is what the legend says.
Cleopatra was (despite what you might have seen in the movies) no supermodel. But even her enemies agreed that there was something extraordinary about her. Charm, charisma, confidence or intelligence – whatever it was, Caesar saw it too, and fell hard. He was 52, she was 21.
Shortly after, old man Julius installed her as Egyptian co-regent. Her rebellious brother, husband, and Egyptian regent died and Cleopatra married another brother to legitimize her rule. At this time she was already carrying out Caesar's child.
Together with their son, Caesarion, Cleopatra later moved to Rome to live in Caesar’s magnificent second villa. He made no attempt to hide his obsession with her, installing gold statues of Cleopatra and allowing her to host lavish parties. Did we mention Caesar was already married?
Cleopatra left Rome after Caesar’s assassination, whereupon she transfered her affections to Mark Antony ... But that’s another love story.
