Ancient Egypt: Queen of the Nile

 

Social Studies: World History

• Grade: 3

Illustration by Rebekah Hanousek-Monge

Cleopatra is one of the most legendary rulers of ancient Egypt. One reason she is very famous is that she was a female ruler. She is also famous because she was an incredibly gifted ruler.

Cleopatra lived from 69 B.C. to 30 B.C. She lived in Alexandria, which was then the capital city of Egypt. She was intelligent, charming, witty, and ambitious.

Cleopatra’s love and care for her people won Egypt’s affections. Under her rule, many Egyptian people lived comfortable lives. The kingdom was fairly peaceful.

Cleopatra’s qualities lured two of Rome’s most famous leaders. First, she fell in love with Julius Caesar. Then, after Caesar’s death, she fell in love with Mark Antony. These romances linked Egypt and Rome.

When Cleopatra was 39, Mark Antony died, and she found herself unprotected by Rome. The Egyptian queen was afraid of being captured and tortured by her enemies. But she died before she ever had to surrender. Legend has it that she lured a poisonous snake called an asp to her, and it bit her.

 

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1.

According to the text, what did Cleopatra's love and care for her people win? 

1. legendary rulers 
2. the capital city of Egypt 
3. Egypt's affections 
4. a poisonous snake 

2.

Which of these happened first? 

1. Cleopatra fell in love with Julius Caesar. 
2. Cleopatra fell in love with Mark Antony. 
3. Cleopatra found herself unprotected by Rome. 
4. Cleopatra died. 

3.

During Cleopatra’s time, it was not common to have a female ruler.

What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

1. “Cleopatra’s love and care for her people won Egypt’s affections.” 
2. “Cleopatra is one of the most legendary rulers of ancient Egypt.” 
3. “One reason she is very famous is that she was a female ruler.” 
4. “She is also famous because she was an incredibly gifted ruler.” 

4.

Based on the text, how did many of the people under Cleopatra’s rule view her? 

1. They liked her. 
2. They disliked her. 
3. They distrusted her. 
4. They had mixed feelings about her. 

5.

What is the text mainly about? 

1. how Cleopatra died 
2. Cleopatra’s rule 
3. the threats ancient Egypt faced 
4. Cleopatra’s romances 

6.

Read these sentences from the text.

The Egyptian queen was afraid of being captured and tortured by her enemies. But she died before she ever had to surrender. Legend has it that she lured a poisonous snake called an asp to her, and it bit her.

As used in these sentences, what does the word “lured” mean?

1. went fishing 
2. attracted 
3. drove away 
4. begged for 

7.

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence.

_________ Mark Antony died, Cleopatra was afraid of being captured and tortured by her enemies.

1. Although 
2. However 
3. Before 
4. After 

8.

Based on the text, how did the people of ancient Egypt benefit from Cleopatra’s rule? 

(written answer)

9.

The author describes Cleopatra as a “gifted ruler.” What evidence in the text supports this description?