Cleopatra VII was the last active ruler of Egypt's Ptolemaic Kingdom. She had amazing skills in diplomacy, which means she was really good at handling complex political relationships. This helped Egypt's importance during her reign from 51 to 30 BC. She was able to hold off the Roman takeover of Egypt for a while.

1. Political Alliances: Cleopatra teamed up with important Roman leaders:

   • Julius Caesar (from 48 to 44 BC): Their relationship helped make Egypt a powerful country in the Eastern Mediterranean.
   • Mark Antony (from 37 to 30 BC): They worked together, especially after the donation of Alexandria, to challenge the growing power of Octavian.

2. Economic Tactics: Cleopatra made the most of Egypt's wealth:

   • Egypt produced about 25% of the grain supply for Rome. This made Egypt very important for Rome's food needs.
   • She used Egypt’s resources to host grand events, impressing Roman leaders and boosting her influence.

3. Cultural Diplomacy: Cleopatra wanted to be seen as a goddess:

   • She presented herself as the goddess Isis to connect with people’s beliefs. This helped her connect with the Roman audience on a deeper level.

In the end, Cleopatra's clever diplomacy helped delay Roman control, but it couldn’t stop her from being defeated. Her legacy shows us how much she shaped the history of Egypt and the late Hellenistic world.