Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 03.djvu/33

CLEOPATRA 17 CLERK CLEOPATRA, a Greek Queen of Egypt; born 69 B.C., the eldest daughter of Ptolemy Auletes. When she was 17 her father died, leaving her as joint- heir to the throne with his eldest son Ptolemy, whom she was to marry — such marriages being common among the Ptolemies. Being deprived of her part in the government (49 B. c), she won Caesar to her cause, and was reinstated by his influence. During a second disturbance Ptolemy lost his life, and Caesar pro- claimed Cleopatra Queen of Egypt; though she was compelled to take her brother, the younger Ptolemy, then 11 years old, as husband and colleague. Caesar continued some time at Cleopatra's court, had a son by her named Csesarion (afterward put to death by Augustus), and gave her a magnificent reception when she subsequently visited him at Rome. By poisoning her brother she re- mained sole possessor of the regal power, took the part of the triumvirs in the civil war at Rome, and after the battle of Phillippi sailed to join Antony at Tarsus. Their meeting was celebrated by splendid festivals; she accompanied him to Tyre, and was followed by him on her return to Egypt. After his conquest of Armenia he again returned to her and made his three sons by her, and also Caesar ion, kings. On the commencement of the war be- tween Augustus and Antony the latter lost a whole year in festivals and amuse- ments with Cleopatra at Ephesus, Samos, and Athens, and when at last the fleets met at Actium, Cleopatra suddenly took to flight, with all her ships, and Antony, as if under the influence of frenzy, imme- diately followed her. They fled to Egypt, and declared to Augustus that if Egypt were left to Cleopatra's children they would thenceforth live in retirement. Augustus, however, demanded Antony's death and advanced on Alexandria. Be- lieving Cleopatra, who had taken refuge in her mausoleum, to be treacherous and dead, Antony threw himself on his sword, and shortly afterward Cleopatra killed herself by applying an asp to her arm to escape the ignominy of being led in a Roman triumph (30 B. c). With her the dynasty of the Ptolemies ended. CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLES, two obe- lisks that were set up at the entrance of the Temple of the Sun, in Heliopolis, Egypt, by Thothmes III., about 1500 B. C. There are no means of knowing when they were built, or by whom, except from the inscriptions on them, which indicate the above time. The material of which they were cut is granite, brought from Syene, near the first cataract of the Nile. Two centuries after their erection Ram- eses II. had the stones nearly covered with carvings setting out his own great- ness and achievements. About 14 B. C. the obelisks were moved from Heliopolis to Alexandria and set up in the Caesa- rium. In 1819 one of these obelisks was presented by the Egyptian Government CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE, CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK to England, but as no one knew how to move them, it was not taken to London until 1878. Subsequently the other obe- lisk was presented to the United States, and is now in Central Park, New York City. CLERGY, the body or order of men chosen or set apart to the service of God, in the Christian Church; in contra- distinction to the lay worshipers, or laity. The term Secular Clergy is the designation of priests of the Roman Catholic Church who are not of any reli- gious order, but have the care of parishes. Monks who are in holy orders are desig- nated Regular Clergy. CLERK, one who is employed in an office, store, etc., subject to a higher authority; a secretary, as, the Clerk of the House of Representatives or Senate; Clerks of the various courts, etc. In England a parish officer, a layman,