Young Cleopatra: the making of a queen

Islam Issa explores the formative years of one of ancient history's most famous figures – from the wider geopolitical world to her complex family dynamic

The image shows a detailed ancient stone bas-relief carving of a female figure in profile, depicting elaborately braided hair and a beaded headdress, rendered in warm golden-brown tones against a dark background. The title 'CLEOPATRA' appears in bold white text at the top, with 'EPISODE ONE' in a black box at the bottom left. (Photo via Getty)

Published: May 24, 2026 at 7:43 AM

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Thousands of years ago, a woman emerged on to the world stage whose name would echo down through the centuries: Cleopatra. But what we do we know about her youth? How did the geography, politics and society of her early life shape her personality? And why would you not want to get on the wrong side of her family? In this first instalment of our four-part Sunday Series chronicling Cleopatra’s life and cultural afterlife, Islam Issa – professor of public humanities at Birmingham City University – tells Matt Elton about the queen’s formative years.

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Go Beyond the Podcast

Captivated by Cleopatra? Matt Elton has curated a collection of essential reading, listening and viewing from the HistoryExtra vaults to help bring the ancient queen to life.

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And don’t miss our HistoryExtra Academy Royal Women, with Professor Kate Williams, for more on some of the past’s most powerful female leaders – from Cleopatra to Elizabeth II.

Authors

Matt EltonPodcast editor

Matt Elton is the podcast editor at HistoryExtra

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