Cleopatra’s Death and Egypt’s Annexation

But Octavian’s intentions were clear: he planned to parade her in his triumph in Rome, a fate no pharaoh

could accept. On August 12, 30 BCE, at age 39, she took her own

life. Though the asp (Egyptian cobra) is the iconic symbol—chosen for its divine associations

with royalty and the afterlife—some scholars suggest she may have used a poisoned ointment

or concealed toxin. Roman guards found her dead on a golden couch, dressed in royal

robes, with two loyal handmaidens, Iras and Charmion, dying beside her. Octavian,

now Augustus, annexed Egypt as his personal province—no senator was allowed to enter without

his permission.