Cleopatra Selene II

Cleopatra Selene II, also known as Cleopatra VIII, was a Ptolemaic princess and an important royal figure in the early Augustan age. She was the only daughter of the famous Greek Ptolemaic Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt and the Roman Triumvir Mark Antony. After her parents' defeat at Actium and their deaths in Egypt in 30 BC, Selene and her brothers were taken to Rome and placed in the household of Octavia the Younger, sister of Octavian.

Selene later married Juba II of Mauretania, and together they ruled the country. She had significant influence in government decisions, particularly in trade and construction projects, helping Mauretania become very wealthy. The couple had a son named Ptolemy of Mauretania, who succeeded them. Through their granddaughter Drusilla, the Ptolemaic line connected with Roman nobility for many generations.

Early life

Cleopatra Selene was born around 40 BC in Egypt. She was the only daughter of Queen Cleopatra VII and Roman leader Mark Antony. Her name, meaning "moon" in Ancient Greek, was chosen to contrast with her twin brother Alexander Helios, whose name means "sun." She grew up in Alexandria, where she received a royal education.

In 34 BC, during a grand ceremony called the Donations of Alexandria, Antony declared Selene the ruler of Cyrenaica and Libya, though she was too young to govern at the time. Later, after Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by the Roman leader Octavian, Selene and her brothers were captured. They were taken to Rome, where they lived under the care of Octavia, Octavian's sister.

Marriage and issue

Cleopatra Selene married King Juba II, who was raised in Caesar's household. Their marriage took place around 25 BC when they were sent to rule Mauretania together. A poem celebrated them as joint rulers of both Egyptian and Libyan lands.

The couple had one son named Ptolemy of Mauretania, born in 10 BC. They may also have had a daughter, though her name is not known. Some believe she might be connected to Drusilla, but historians think she was likely a different person.

Queen of Mauretania

In 25 BC, the Roman leader Augustus chose Juba II and Selene to be co-rulers of the client kingdom of Mauretania. They renamed their capital Caesarea, now known as Cherchell in Algeria, in honor of the Emperor.

Cleopatra Selene had a strong influence on the policies of her husband, Juba II. She brought many important advisers, scholars, and artists from her mother's royal court in Alexandria to help develop Mauretania. Under their rule, the kingdom grew and prospered.

Economy

Cleopatra supported trade in Mauretania. The kingdom exported many goods throughout the Mediterranean region, especially to Spain and Italy. These goods included fish, grapes, pearls, figs, grain, wooden furniture, and purple dye made from shellfish. Tingis, now Tangier, became a major trading center. Mauretanian coins were highly valued across the Roman Empire.

She made her own coins with the name 'Queen Cleopatra' along with coins made by Juba and joint coins as rulers.

Building projects

Cleopatra encouraged many building projects that mixed different styles of architecture. Buildings in Caesarea and Volubilis showed a blend of Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman designs. These included a lighthouse like the famous Pharos of Alexandria, a royal palace by the sea, and many temples for Roman and Egyptian deities. Her efforts to honor her mother's legacy were very different from the negative views found in some poems from that time.

Death

Cleopatra Selene ruled Mauretania for almost two decades until her death at the age of 35. The exact date of her death is uncertain, but some believe it may have coincided with a lunar eclipse, possibly in 5 BC. She was buried in the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania in modern Algeria, which she and her husband Juba II built. Though the tomb still stands, their remains have not been found, possibly due to ancient tomb raids.

Legacy

Cleopatra Selene II was survived by her husband Juba II and their son Ptolemy. After Juba II's death in AD 23, Ptolemy ruled Mauretania alone until AD 40. Her grandson, Emperor Caligula, took control of Mauretania and divided it into two Roman provinces, Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Tingitana.

Today, Cleopatra Selene II is remembered in space science. One of the satellites of the asteroid (216) Kleopatra is named Cleoselene in her honor.

In fiction

Cleopatra Selene has appeared in many books and shows. She is mentioned in novels by Robert Graves and is a key character in The Legate's Daughter by Wallace Breem. Other books like Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran and Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter tell her story from childhood to marriage. She also appears in television series like Rome and in the docudrama Queens of Ancient Egypt.