Join Greg Jenner in Ancient Egypt to meet the famous Queen Cleopatra. Learn all about her remarkable reign, the reason she was prevented from ruling alone, and why she once had to make an entrance wrapped in a duvet. Presented by Greg Jenner Produced by Abi Paterson Script by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch and Emma Nagouse Historical consultant: Dr Joyce Tyldesley A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4
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Hello and welcome to Homeschool History.
I'm Greg Jenner and I've spent my whole career making history fun on the tv show horrible histories, and more recently on the BBC podcast you're dead to me, though that's mostly for the grown ups.
With everyone being cooped up in the house, I thought I'd deliver a snappy history lesson to entertain and educate the whole family.
Who says that homeschooling can't be a bit of fun?
This week we're off on an adventure all the way back to ancient Egypt to meet the famous queen Cleopatra.
Cleopatra was probably born in ancient Egypt around the year 69 BCE, nearly 2100 years ago.
Amazingly, egyptian civilization lasted for so long that by the time she was born, Egyptians had already stopped building pyramids 1500 years beforehand.
Meaning Cleopatra is closer in time to us than she was to the great pyramid of Giza.
Whoa.
Isn't that weird?
The pyramids were already ancient history to her, and she's ancient history to us.
Another confusing thing is that Cleopatra was descended from Greeks.
260 years before her birth, Alexander the Great had conquered the kingdom and one of his generals, Ptolemy, had taken over.
When Alexander died, lots of ptolemies ruled after him.
Until we get to Ptolemy XII, who was Cleo's dad.
And explains why Cleo Cleopatra spoke greek and had a greek name.
Because Cleopatra is greek for famous, like her father.
In 52 BCE, Pharaoh Ptolemy XII decided to make Cleopatra his co ruler when she was about 17.
He soon died, and since she was a girl, she wasnt allowed to rule on her own.