| 323 BC |
After the
death of Alexander the Great in Babylon, the empire he had so
rapidly built begins to disintegrate. Ptolemy, one of Alexander’s
Macedonian generals, seizes control of Egypt. Thus begins the
Ptolemaic dynasty that will end with Kleopatra Selene. |
| 47 BC |
Julius
Caesar’s forces defeat Ptolemy XIII in the Battle of the Nile, and
Kleopatra VII is installed on the throne of Egypt. Later that same
year, she announces that she has borne Caesar a son, Caesarion
(“little Caesar”). The relationship between Julius Caesar and
Kleopatra will continue until his assassination. |
| 46 BC |
Juba I,
King of Numidia, allies himself with the republicans’ losing cause
in their war against Caesar. After the calamitous Battle of
Thapsus, his kingdom of Numidia is annexed as a Roman province, and
a servant is instructed to take Juba’s life. His infant son, Juba
II, is taken to Rome and paraded through the streets during
Caesar’s Triumph. Juba II is raised by Caesar and his sister,
forming close ties with Caesar’s young adopted heir,
Octavian. |
| 44 BC |
The
assassination of Julius Caesar. In the aftermath, an uneasy
alliance is formed: the Second Triumvirate, composed of his
supporters Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus. The three unite to
defeat the forces of Caesar’s killers, led by Brutus and Cassius,
who have amassed an army in Greece. |
| 42 BC |
After
victory over the forces of Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of
Philippi, the three members of the Second Triumvirate go their
separate ways. Marc Antony begins his tour of the eastern provinces
by summoning the Queen of Egypt to meet him. |
| 41 BC |
Meeting
of Marc Antony and Kleopatra VII. Antony is so charmed that he
returns to spend the winter with her in Alexandria, during which
time their twins are conceived. |
| 40 BC |
Birth of
Kleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios. The following eight years
see escalating mistrust and eventual hostilities between Octavian
and Marc Antony. |
| 36 BC |
Triumvirate breaks up when Lepidus is removed from power
by Octavian. Rome is now governed by Octavian and Marc Antony.
Birth of Ptolemy, Queen Kleopatra and Marc Antony’s third and last
child together. |
| 31 BC |
Marc
Antony and Kleopatra’s forces are defeated at the sea battle of
Actium by the young Octavian and his indispensable military aide,
Marcus Agrippa. |
