The last What Is a Pharaoh? of ancient Egypt was a queen: Cleopatra VII. She lived much later than the pyramid builders, and her family was not even Egyptian at first.
Key idea
Cleopatra VII (69–30 BC) was the last ruler of the Ptolemies, a Greek family that ruled Egypt for about 300 years. After she died in 30 BC, Egypt became part of the Roman Empire.
Why it works
Alexander the Great, from Macedonia in Greece, conquered Egypt in 332 BC. When he died, his general Ptolemy became king, and Ptolemy's family ruled from the city of Alexandria. Most of them spoke only Greek. Cleopatra was the first of her family known to learn the Egyptian language. She lost a war against Rome, and Rome took over Egypt.
Worked example: Closer to us
The Great Pyramid was built around 2560 BC. Cleopatra died in 30 BC. Is she closer in time to the pyramid builders, or to us?
- From c. 2560 BC to 30 BC: about 2,530 years.
- From 30 BC to today: about 2,055 years.
- 2,055 is less than 2,530.
Answer: Closer to us!
Common mistake
Thinking Cleopatra lived when the pyramids were built. She lived more than 2,000 years after the Great Pyramid. To her, the pyramids were already ancient.