cleopatra
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Proper noun:
- A historical figure: Cleopatra refers to a specific person, Cleopatra VII Philopator, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.
- A symbol of beauty and power: The name is often used to denote a woman of great beauty, charisma, and political influence.
Examples of Usage
- Proper noun:
- Cleopatra formed political alliances with Roman leaders like Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
- The story of Cleopatra's life has been the subject of many plays and films.
- She is often compared to Cleopatra for her intelligence and charm.
Advanced Usage
- "A Cleopatra": used metaphorically to describe a woman with commanding presence and allure.
- With her dramatic entrance, she was a veritable Cleopatra.
- "Cleopatra's nose": a reference to the idea that small events (like the shape of her nose, as suggested by Blaise Pascal) can alter the course of history.
- His argument hinged on a Cleopatra's nose theory of historical causation.
Variants and Related Words
- Cleopatran (adj): Pertaining to Cleopatra.
- The exhibit focused on Cleopatran artifacts.
- Ptolemaic (adj): Relating to the Ptolemaic dynasty, the Greek family to which Cleopatra belonged.
- The Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt adopted many Egyptian customs.
Synonyms
- Queen of Egypt: A title describing her role.
- The Last Pharaoh: A term referencing her position as the final ruler of ancient Egypt's pharaonic line.
Related Phrases
- "Age of Cleopatra": Refers to the late Hellenistic period in Egypt.
- The Age of Cleopatra was a time of great cultural interaction.
- "Meeting one's Cleopatra": Encountering a powerfully seductive or fateful influence (less common, poetic).
- For him, she was his Cleopatra, leading to both passion and ruin.
Related Idioms
- "Like Cleopatra": Behaving or appearing with regal, captivating, or dramatic flair.
- She held court at the party like Cleopatra.
Noun
- beautiful and charismatic queen of Egypt; mistress of Julius Caesar and later of Mark Antony; killed herself to avoid capture by Octavian (69-30 BC)