Definition

1. 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

1. 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)