Valerie Wilding - Cleopatra: The Story of the Beautiful Egyptian Queen

For my long-time friend, Julia Burns, with love

Cleopatras sister flung the senet board off the table. Im not playing games with you any more, she snapped. You cheat.

I do not cheat, Berenice, Cleopatra said quietly. I win. She was careful not to anger her sister. Berenice would be queen one day.

Cleopatra signalled to a servant, who picked up the board and collected the game pieces.

Im going outside, said Berenice, turning away.

Dont go into the city, Cleopatra warned. Theres been trouble. The people are angry. I dont know why.

Berenice looked back, her face hard. Dont tell me what to do, she said. Then she left the room, followed by her handmaid.

Cleopatra stood on the shady balcony and watched her sister stride along a path between rows of gushing fountains.

Yes, youll be queen one day, she murmured to herself. But I would make a much better one than you. You are not clever. Youre just greedy for power.

Cleopatras family were careful to protect their power. Her ancestor, King Ptolemy I, had been made pharaoh of Egypt in 305 BC, just 247 years before. He was from Macedonia and spoke Greek. All male children born to the kings were called Ptolemy, and every Ptolemy since had known how important it was to be firm and strong. There were many other rulers who would love to add Egypt to their empires. And they would especially love to get their hands on Alexandria, the magnificent city that was Cleopatras home.

The princess wandered through the palace halls, wondering if it was too late to go to the library. She heard the sound of raised voices as she passed her fathers private rooms.

I am your pharaoh! he shouted. Dont you dare criticise my actions! I have only the good of Egypt at heart. You must know that.

Cleopatra stopped to listen. She knew that many people did not approve of her father. He, Ptolemy Auletes, was known as The Flute Player, which made it sound as if he wasnt a serious king. But that wasnt true. He tried very hard to keep some sort of friendship between Egypt and powerful Rome, which already ruled many other lands. The Romans mustnt be allowed to conquer Egypt, too!

Cleopatra jumped back as her fathers door flew open and his team of ministers burst out. They looked angry.

The people cant be kept down for much longer, muttered the chief of them, the vizier. Therell be trouble, you mark my words, and Catching sight of Cleopatra, he bowed. Your forgiveness, Princess. He hurried along behind the other men, his face red.

Cleopatra stared after them. Her father was the king, Egypts pharaoh a god. No harm could come to him. It wasnt possible, was it?

One morning shortly afterwards, Cleopatra watched the king dismiss his ministers and walk slowly, head down, into one of his private rooms. The year had been a troubled one for him, she knew, but shed never seen her father quite so disturbed.

The princess took a deep breath. Wait here, she whispered to her handmaid, and slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

Father?

Eh? Oh, Cleopatra, my love. King Ptolemy XII put his head in his hands and sighed.

Cleopatra waved his servants away, and poured him a cup of wine with her own hands.

Whats wrong, Father? she asked gently.

He smiled sadly. Its complicated, little one.

You could tell me, said Cleopatra. I know Im only twelve, but Ill try to understand.

The king took her hand. I know you will. You are the cleverest of my children. In fact, you are the cleverest child I know. He sighed. I have done what I thought best for Egypt, but I have made mistakes.

Tell me, Cleopatra murmured, knowing that he would give in to her. He always did.

King Ptolemy suggested they walk in the gardens while they talked, and Cleopatra readily agreed. She had learned long ago that it was safer to talk outside, where you couldnt be overheard by someone hiding in the shadows.

The sun shimmered low in the sky, and the air was cooling slightly. Part of the palace gardens overlooked the sea, and the seaweed-scented breeze was welcome.

There are three men ruling Rome, the king began, Pompey, Julius Caesar and Crassus.

And they are called the triumvirate.

The king reached up, pulled a deep-pink flower from a tree and presented it to her. Cleopatra, how do you know so much?

The princess tucked the flower in her gold arm bangle. I know a lot because I study hard, and I listen and learn. Unlike Berenice, she thought.

Well, I told the men of the triumvirate that I would pay them a large sum of money. Huge. In exchange, they named me a friend and ally of the Roman people. That means theyre happy for me to rule Egypt, and they wont invade us. Our country is safe. However, now I have to give them the money, and there just isnt enough.

Cant you tax our people and make them pay? asked Cleopatra. Its for their safety, after all.

The king frowned. I decided that would be wrong. The people cant afford higher taxes. Instead, I borrowed the money from a Roman moneylender called Rabirius. But now I dont know how Im going to pay it back. He was silent for a moment, then took her hand. Cleopatra, whatever they say about me, remember I did it for Egypt for our royal house of Ptolemy.

The princess had no chance to answer. A hail of stones came over the wall. There were shouts.

Flute Player! The Romans have conquered your brothers island. Cyprus is theirs!

Flute Player! Your brother killed himself sooner than be paraded as a prisoner in Rome.

Why didnt you help him, Flute Player? Why didnt you stop the Romans? Are we going to be next?

Loyal guards quickly surrounded the king and the princess and hurried them inside. While her father rushed to his advisers, Cleopatra ran to an upstairs window. Shielded by a filmy cream curtain, she watched the fighting on the quayside. Her stomach churned with fear.

The people hate my father, she said to her handmaid, Eiras.

No, Highness, surely not, said the girl, but Cleopatra could see she did not mean it.

The next day, the king was gone.

Cleopatras family gathered with her fathers ministers. These wise men explained that the kings life was threatened by the Egyptian people. They despised the things hed done, and also things he hadnt done. They felt he should have helped his brother, rather than let the Romans take Cyprus for their own. Cyprus had, after all, belonged to Egypt.

Arsino, Cleopatras younger sister, asked, Will our father come home?

Of course he will, the vizier assured her. Just as soon as things settle down.

What about the money he owes? asked Cleopatra.

Berenice glanced at her sharply.

The vizier paused. The money will be repaid, he said, looking at the floor. Have no fear.

Cleopatras younger brothers, who were all called Ptolemy, took no notice of what was being said. They were itching to go out on the picnic theyd been promised.

Highnesses, said the vizier, while His Majesty is away, all will carry on as before.

As she left, Cleopatra noticed that Berenice stayed behind to talk to the ministers. She soon found out why.