Cleopatra | |
---|---|
Rome character | |
First appearance | "Caesarion" |
Last appearance | "De Patre Vostro (About Your Father)" |
Portrayed by | Lyndsey Marshal |
Information | |
Gender | Female |
Title | Queen/Pharaoh |
Family | Ptolemy XIII (brother) |
Children | Caesarion (son) |
Cleopatra is a character from the HBO/BBC original television series Rome, played by Lyndsey Marshal from October 16, 2005 through March 25, 2007 and based on the historical Egyptian Queen Cleopatra.
Ambitious and sexual, Cleopatra works hard to be everything to nearly everyone especially those in power. Although addicted to opium she has enough will to set plans in motion to secure her foothold on Julius Caesar by purposely impregnating herself before an encounter with him to ensure a birth that she hopes will give her political clout in Rome. Later, her alliance with Mark Antony and her support of his conflict with Octavian ultimately lead to her undoing.
Cleopatra sometimes looks to her servant and advisor, Charmian, for affection and guidance; the women are affectionate, but the mistress-slave relationship remains clear.
Opium-addicted Cleopatra Selene Philopator is introduced in the episode Caesarion (2005), put in exile by her brother Ptolemy XIII in Egypt. Tracked down by Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo on the orders of Caesar, Cleopatra attempts to seduce Vorenus for her own personal agenda. Turned down by Vorenus who remains faithful to his wife, she instead beds Pullo. Later, Caesar and Cleopatra's son is named Caesarion, but it is implied that he may actually be the son of Pullo.
In Son of Hades (2007), Cleopatra comes to Rome after Caesar's death, and Mark Antony dismisses her request for public acknowledgement of Caesar's son Caesarion with derision, but is very physically attracted to her. Leaving Antony, Cleopatra comes face to face with Pullo, and they share an awkward look. Though Antony has assured his paramour, Atia of the Julii, that Caesar's former mistress is unappealing, a jealous Atia is threatened by the presence of the Egyptian Queen. Later, at a party for the Egyptians, Atia is unimpressed with Cleopatra, but sees that she has an incredible appeal, for she stares at her in fear for the better part of the dinner. She feels the queen is beneath her, but sees her as a threat also, hence: as Cleopatra is leaving, Atia whispers in her ear, "Die screaming you pigspawn trollop."