The rise and fall of Egypt’s last pharaoh

• 70 or 69 BC

The birth of Cleopatra VII is unrecorded, but Plutarch tells us that at the time of her death (12 August 30 BC) she was 39 years old. Her father is Ptolemy XII; her mother unknown.

• 51 BC

Ptolemy XII is succeeded by Cleopatra and her brother (and perhaps husband) Ptolemy XIII.

• 47 BC

The siege of Alexandria ends with Caesar victorious, Ptolemy XIII dead, and Cleopatra restored to her throne alongside a new co-ruler, the young Ptolemy XIV.

• c47 BC

Cleopatra gives birth to a son (pictured below) whom she names Ptolemy Caesar. The people of Alexandria leap to the obvious conclusion and rename the baby Caesarion, or “Little Caesar”.

• 44 BC

Caesar is assassinated on 15 March, and Cleopatra flees Rome for Alexandria. Soon after her return, Ptolemy XIV dies and Caesarion takes his place as king.

A sculpture thought to depict Cleopatra, whose exact date of birth is unknown

Julius Caesar established Rome as the dominant force in 'gypt in 47 BC