Cleopatra was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt from 305 BC to 30 BC. She became the last active ruler of the dynasty in 51 BC after the death of her father Ptolemy XII Auletes. Cleopatra was known for her beauty, intelligence, and political savvy, and she is remembered for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Her reign ended with the defeat of her forces by the Roman Empire, and she committed suicide rather than being taken captive.