"For Rome, which had never deigned to fear a nation or a people, feared in its time two human beings: one was Hannibal and the another a woman” ( Lefkowitz and Fant 126). In an era dominated by male rulers, Cleopatra VII Philopator (69 BCE – 31 BCE), the last pharaoh of Egypt, stood out among all. With the wealth of Egypt at her disposal, she was “incomparably richer than anyone else” (Schiff 2). The power a ruler had during the time of Cleopatra's existence was highly dependent on the level of financial stability. However, wealth wasn't the only thing Cleopatra was known for. She demonstrated activist leadership skills equal to those of her male counterparts in making Egypt a prosperous country. Despite Egypt's provincial annexation to Rome after her death, Cleopatra managed to keep the Romans at bay for almost twenty-two years. Unfortunately, much of his accomplishments have been maligned and attributed to the use of his sexuality. Furthermore, her image as a competent female leader was further distorted by the media and literature. Much of this misrepresentation can be attributed to the scarcity of reliable and unbiased accounts of his life. The Romans were afraid of Cleopatra's power and the alliances she made with their generals. Therefore, the accounts of his life in the Roman scriptures are not particularly in his favor. Much of Cleopatra's life and her intentions remain a mystery. The above thus raises questions about the influences from her youth that led her to ascend the throne. Cleopatra's education, heritage, and personality all factor into her ascension as Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra's upbringing, particularly her upbringing, is one of the influences that provided her with the necessary middle of paper..... .those generals. Although her accomplishments have been discredited by most critics, the fact that she was able to govern during a turbulent time presents her as more than capable. Cleopatra's death from an alleged asp bite after witnessing the death of Mark Antony was tragic. However, the fact that the queen commits suicide rather than let her enemies finish reveals her strong character. Cleopatra's fame after her death is a testament to the powerful leadership of Egypt's last pharaoh. Works Cited Kirby, John T. Cleopatra. Flight. 3. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. N. pag. Eras of the world. GaleBiography in context. Internet. April 15, 2014. Lefkowitz, Mary R. and Fant, Maureen B. Women in Greece and Rome. Baltimore: John's Hopkins University Press. 2005. PrintRoberts, Peter. HSC ancient history. Pascal Press. 2006. PrintSchiff, Stacy. Cleopatra: a life. New York: Bay Back Books. 2010. Print