Cleopatra’s Rise and Caesarion’s Birth

Caesar reinstated her as co-ruler—now alongside a younger brother, Ptolemy XIV—and

when Ptolemy XIII’s forces besieged them in the palace during the Alexandrian War (48–47 BCE),

Cleopatra proved instrumental in organizing resistance and securing naval support.

After Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile during the final battle, Cleopatra emerged

as Egypt’s unchallenged ruler. The relationship with Caesar deepened beyond politics.

In 47 BCE, she traveled to Rome as his honored guest, residing in one

of his villas across the Tiber. There, she gave birth to a son,

Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar—nicknamed "Caesarion" ("Little Caesar")—whom she publicly declared