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Primary sourceBook49-48 BCE

Commentarii de Bello Civili

Julius Caesar · 49-48 BCE

Julius Caesar's own account of the Roman civil war, including his arrival in Alexandria where he met Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII.

Caesar's firsthand account of the events in Alexandria that brought him into contact with Cleopatra.

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Open book showing a title page on the right: 'C. Julii Caesaris Commentarii de Bello Gallico et Civili, Tomus I, Venetiis 1783', framed by ornate borders with a trophy of arms. On the left, an engraved frontispiece shows a seated Roman figure holding a tablet, with a standard and a city in the background.
Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico et Civili, printed edition, Venice, 1783.

About this source

What it is

This is Caesar's own written account of his war against Pompey and the Roman Senate, covering the years 49-48 BCE. It was written in three books and later followed by other accounts covering Caesar's wars in Egypt, Africa, and Spain, though those were written by other authors.

Why it matters

Caesar traveled to Alexandria during this period and became involved in the dispute between Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII. His own writing is notably quiet about Cleopatra, which tells students something about what Roman leaders chose to record and what they left out.

Look closer

  • Why might Caesar say so little about Cleopatra in his own account of events in Egypt?
  • How might a text written by the person involved differ from one written by an outsider?
  • What does Caesar's choice of what to include tell us about his purpose in writing?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Close-up photo of a brownish papyrus sheet with dark ink lines of Greek handwriting in columns, torn edges, and a dark background showing through a split down the middle.Document

Primary source

Papyrus with Signature of Cleopatra VII

Ptolemaic scribe; possibly countersigned by Cleopatra VII · February 33 BCE

Hand-coloured aquatint titled Baths of Cleopatra, at Alexandria. A rocky coastal scene with a curved sandy inlet in the foreground, stone steps and a small arched doorway, a hill with ruined structures behind, and sailing boats on the sea. Figures in turbans and robes stand on the shore and sit in a rowboat.Painting

Secondary source

Baths of Cleopatra, at Alexandria

Luigi Mayer · 1802

Sepia-toned photograph of a white marble seated statue of Cleopatra by William Wetmore Story. She sits on a plinth engraved with the name CLEOPATRA, head resting on her raised hand, wearing a veil and draped robe, against a stone wall.Sculpture

Secondary source

Cleopatra

William Wetmore Story

Photograph of a white marble bust of a woman's head and upper neck, turned to the viewer's right. Wavy hair is combed over the forehead, a smooth bun sits at the back, and the hair shows a pinkish-brown discoloration. Light gray wall behind.Sculpture

Primary source

Portrait of Cleopatra (Berlin Bust)

c. 40-30 BCE

Marble sculpture of a woman's head and upper neck, shown in three-quarter view on a black stand against a brick wall. The hair is pulled back under a band with a knot at the top and a braided bun at the back. The face is calm with straight brows, a long nose, and closed lips. The bust is cut off at the base.Sculpture

Primary source

Head-Portrait of Cleopatra VII (Vatican Bust)

c. 40-30 BCE

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