“Is that well done, Charmian?”
“Very well,” she replied, “and meet for a princess descended from so
many noble kings.”
As she spoke these words, she, too, fell dead at her mistress’s side.
Both of these faithful slaves had probably poisoned themselves, also,
that they might die with their much-loved queen.
Cleopatra was buried in royal state by the side of Antony, according to
her request.
Cæsar, deprived of her much-desired presence in his triumphal
procession, ordered a statue of gold to be made of the famous Egyptian
queen, which was carried before his chariot in his after-triumphs.
The arm of this statue was adorned with a golden asp, signifying the
supposed cause of Cleopatra’s death.
Cleopatra died at thirty-nine years of age, having reigned twenty-two
years. Cæsar caused all the statues of Antony to be thrown down;
but those of Cleopatra were spared, as an officer who had been many
years in her service paid one thousand talents that they might not be
destroyed.
After Cleopatra’s death Egypt was reduced to a province of the Roman
Empire. The reign of the Ptolemies had continued two hundred and
ninety-three years.
Cæsario, the son of Cleopatra and Julius Cæsar, was put to death by
Octavius Cæsar; but her younger children were taken to Rome and treated
with kindness.
Thus perished the famous Cleopatra, whose marvellous attractions and
enchanting fascinations of beauty and unequalled display of pomp and
royal magnificence make parts of her story to read like the wonderful
tales of the Arabian Nights; but whose selfish ambition, treachery, and
sins shrouded her last terrible end in the impenetrable blackness of
hopeless despair.