The Egyptian queen, shown here in a 19th-century engraving, sneaked back from exile and surprised Julius Caesar. Granger Collection, New York Cleopatra VII ruled Egypt for 21 years a generation ...

Cleopatra was the last ruler of ancient Egypt, famous for her sharp mind and political savvy. She navigated tumultuous family ...

Julius Caesar spent the winter of 48 BC in Egypt. There he met Cleopatra, the woman who would set Roman nerves on edge for most of the next 20 years. Cleopatra was soon to become Queen of Egypt ...

Certainly she possessed the ability to roil passions in two powerful Roman men: Julius Caesar ... Cleopatra," he said, excitedly. "Never before has anyone systematically looked for the last queen ...