Cleopatra, the Last Active Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt (C1/C2 English Level)#history #english

This video is for practicing English listening skills. Listening will help you to improve your understanding of the language and your pronunciation.

Cleopatra, the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, reigned from 51 BC to 30 BC. She was known for her intelligence, political acumen, and captivating beauty.
Early Life and Ascension to Power
Born in 69 BC, Cleopatra was the daughter of Ptolemy XII, the last Ptolemaic king of Egypt. She was raised in a sophisticated and cosmopolitan environment, learning multiple languages and studying philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
At the age of 18, she became co-regent with her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII.
However, their relationship was strained, and Cleopatra was eventually forced to flee Egypt. She sought refuge in Rome, where she used her charm and diplomatic skills to win the support of Julius Caesar, the powerful Roman general. With Caesar's backing, she returned to Egypt and reasserted her authority as queen.
Alliance with Rome and Cultural Achievements
Cleopatra's reign was marked by her close alliance with Rome. She bore a son, Caesarion, who she claimed was Caesar's heir. This alliance solidified her power in Egypt and expanded her influence in the Mediterranean region.
Cleopatra was also a patron of the arts and sciences, fostering a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing in Egypt. She commissioned the construction of numerous temples, monuments, and libraries, and supported the development of new literary and artistic forms.
Decline and Legacy
After Caesar's assassination in 44 BC, Cleopatra formed an alliance with Mark Antony, another powerful Roman general. Their relationship was passionate and controversial, leading to a war with Rome. In 31 BC, Cleopatra and Antony were defeated at the Battle of Actium by the forces of Octavian, who would later become the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Cleopatra committed suicide in 30 BC, rather than face captivity and humiliation. Her death marked the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the beginning of Roman rule in Egypt.
Cleopatra's legacy is complex and enduring. She is remembered as a powerful and charismatic ruler, a patron of the arts, and a symbol of female empowerment. She is also seen as a tragic figure, whose life was shaped by political ambition and personal relationships.

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This story is written in Advanced English, C1/C2 level.

Let's break down the key vocabulary from the story of Cleopatra:

Pharaoh: The title of the rulers of ancient Egypt. Cleopatra was the last active pharaoh, meaning she was the last to truly hold power before Roman rule.
Reign: To rule as a monarch (king, queen, emperor, etc.).
Co-regent: A person who rules jointly with another. Cleopatra initially ruled alongside her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII.
Refuge: Shelter or protection from danger or distress. Cleopatra sought refuge in Rome after being forced to flee Egypt.
Alliance: A formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations or parties for cooperation on specific issues. Cleopatra formed alliances with both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
Caesarion: Cleopatra's son, whom she claimed was fathered by Julius Caesar.
Patron of the arts and sciences: A person who supports and funds artists, scientists, and intellectual pursuits. Cleopatra supported cultural and intellectual development in Egypt.
Mediterranean region: The region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Assassination: The murder of an important person, especially for political reasons. Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.
Controversial: Giving rise to public disagreement or debate. Cleopatra's relationship with Mark Antony was controversial because it defied Roman norms and led to conflict.
Battle of Actium: A decisive naval battle in 31 BC where Octavian's forces defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
Octavian/Augustus: Octavian was Julius Caesar's adopted son and heir. After defeating Antony and Cleopatra, he became the first Roman Emperor and took the name Augustus.

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The most common framework for describing English language proficiency is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Here's a breakdown of the levels:
Beginner:
A1 (Breakthrough): Basic phrases and simple interactions.
A2 (Waystage): Simple and routine tasks, basic personal information.
Intermediate:
B1 (Threshold): Understand main points of clear input, deal with most travel situations.
B2 (Vantage): Understand main ideas of complex text, interact with fluency and spontaneity.
Advanced:
C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency): Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts.
C2 (Mastery): Understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
These levels provide a standardized way to describe and assess English language ability.

#cleopatra #egypt #learnenglish

Тэги:

#English_listening #Common_European_Framework_of_Reference_for_Languages #Advanced_English #learn_English #Egypt #learn_English_through_history #most_famous_history

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