5. Power Struggles and the Rise of the Formidable Cleopatras As the Ptolemaic dynasty entered its decline, the family turned inward, adopting the Egyptian tradition of sibling marriage to consolidate power—a practice taboo in the Greek world. This era saw the rise of influential royal women, starting with Cleopatra I, a Seleucid princess who stabilized the kingdom through political astuteness. Her successor, Cleopatra III, became a "force of nature," maneuvering through civil wars and family feuds with absolute conviction in her right to rule. Meanwhile, Rome began watching Egypt closely, primarily interested in its legendary wealth and role as a critical supplier of grain. (5)
MINOAN