Rome Enduring Record of Cleopatra in Egypt

Rome Enduring 

Record of Cleopatra in Egypt

Most papyrus from that era survived by recycling waste paper used to make mummy casings Both Greek and Egyptian demotic texts survive today Later in the Roman era recycling fell out of favor During Cleopatra's reign in one of the most famous records she died from the bite of a venomous snake a royal reptile adorning the pharaoh's crown Thus in death as in life Cleopatra embodies her role as Queen of Egypt Cleopatra's strength and enduring influence in Egypt are perhaps best illustrated by the queen The Romans enjoyed considerable wealth in Egypt exporting wheat and importing amphora wine free of charge Furthermore no taxes were levied on land Those who farmed with animals laboring on the land or from barges demonstrated their dependence on Roman support in the land and financial and maritime assistance

Agriculture Egypt's agricultural prosperity depended on the annual flooding of the Nile River. Between July and September the river overflowed depositing abundant sediment The constant rushing of the river threatened its survival with the continued control of the Aswan Dam Annual floods were a common occurrence in the past but during the early part of Cleopatra's reign they ensured the next year's harvest Feeding the people whether Greek or Egyptian was crucial to the survival of Cleopatra's rulers particularly the needs of the capital Alexandria where food particularly wheat and legumes was scarce

Roman writers indicate that the flood that year at only five cubits was the lowest recorded At times with failed harvests most people could survive for a few years However repeated failures were a concern for Cleopatra and papyrus papers bear witness to these difficulties Merchants transporting goods along the Nile were required to bring them only to the capital and not to sell them elsewhere with the penalty of death for disobedience Records of the defeat of Octavian Caesar's heir at Actium in western Greece When chased back to Egypt Cleopatra faced the inevitable Octavian captured Alexandria and Cleopatra committed suicide although accounts vary widely and are not entirely certain Cleopatra as ruler and the truth of the papyrus with the first judgment from the joint reign of Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII preserved on papyrus from a tomb near Herakleiopolis in Middle Egypt