Donations of Alexandria facts for kids
The Donations of Alexandria was a big event in 34 BC. It was a political show put on by Cleopatra VII, the Queen of Egypt, and the Roman general Mark Antony. They gave away lands that belonged to Rome and Parthia to Cleopatra's children. They also gave them important titles. This event was a major cause of the final war of the Roman Republic.
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Why the Donations Happened
Mark Antony had just finished a military campaign. He had tried to conquer Parthia but failed. To make up for this, he wanted to celebrate a victory over Armenia. He brought the Armenian leader, Artavasdes, to Alexandria as a captive.
Antony then held a big festival. It was like a Roman triumph, but it happened in Alexandria, not Rome. Antony even dressed up as the Greek god Dionysus. The captured Armenian royal family was brought before Cleopatra. They were supposed to bow down to her, but they refused. This made Cleopatra very angry.
The Big Ceremony
The festival ended with a grand ceremony in Alexandria's gymnasium. Everyone in the city was invited to watch. Mark Antony and Cleopatra sat on golden thrones. They were dressed as gods: Antony as Dionysus-Osiris and Cleopatra as Isis-Aphrodite.
Cleopatra's son, Caesarion, was dressed as Horus. He was the son of Isis in Egyptian myths. Cleopatra's other children also wore clothes that showed their new kingdoms.
Lands and Titles Given Away
During the ceremony, Antony officially named Cleopatra as Queen of Egypt, Cyprus, Libya, and central Syria.
Here's what else was given:
- Alexander Helios was named king of Armenia, Media, and Parthia.
- His twin sister, Cleopatra Selene II, received Cyrenaica and Libya.
- The youngest child, Ptolemy Philadelphus, was given Syria, Phoenicia, and Cilicia.
- Cleopatra was called "Queen of Kings" and "Queen of Egypt." She would rule with Caesarion.
- Caesarion was declared the son of the deified Julius Caesar. He was also called "King of Kings" and King of Egypt. Antony said Caesarion was the true heir of Julius Caesar. This was important because Caesar had adopted Octavian in his will.
What Happened Next
Antony sent news of these donations to Rome. He hoped the Roman Senate would approve them. But they refused. Octavian, who was Julius Caesar's adopted son, felt very threatened. His power came from being Caesar's heir.
Octavian started to attack Mark Antony and Cleopatra politically. The Second Triumvirate, a ruling group in Rome, ended in 33 BC and was not renewed. This led to the last war of the Roman Republic. Octavian won this war, which started the Roman Imperial era.
See also
- Alexandrian Kings
- Ptolemaic dynasty
- Battle of Actium
