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Welcome back to Speaking of Her. This week, we're are stepping into the ancient world to uncover the story of Cleopatra I Syra — the first of the Cleopatras, and a queen whose quiet strength helped shape Egypt at a critical turning point.

Unlike her more famous descendant Cleopatra VII, Cleopatra I’s power was forged not through spectacle but through diplomacy, strategy, and resilience. In this episode, we explore her remarkable story:

• Her origins as a Seleucid Princess, and how her marriage to Ptolemy V united two rival dynasties
• The sudden death of her husband and the burden of ruling Egypt as Regent for her young son
• The delicate balance she struck between Egypt’s independence and Rome’s growing influence in the Mediterranean
• And how her legacy as the first Cleopatra created a dynasty of women whose names would echo through history

This isn’t just the beginning of a famous royal name — it’s the story of a woman who safeguarded her kingdom in an era of turmoil, setting the stage for generations of powerful queens to come.

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