What were the Donations of Alexandria?

The Donations of Alexandria in 34 BC were a political act where Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII distributed Roman and Parthian lands among Cleopatra's children and granted them royal titles. This event deeply alienated Rome and became a primary catalyst for the final war of the Roman Republic. It followed an earlier similar ceremony held in Antioch in 36 BC.

What we know

• The Donations of Alexandria took place in autumn 34 BC as a political act by Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. [1, 2]
• Mark Antony and Cleopatra distributed lands held by Rome and the Parthian empire among Cleopatra's children, giving special titles to Caesarion. [1, 2]
• An earlier similar donation ceremony had taken place two years earlier at Antioch in 36 BC. [2]
• The Donations caused a fatal rupture in relations with Rome and triggered the final war of the Roman Republic. [2]

Where to go next

• what caused itWhy did the Donations cause a war with Rome?
• whenWhat happened at the Antioch donation ceremony?
• whoWho was Caesarion, son of Julius Caesar?
• the bigger pictureHow did Cleopatra VII rule Egypt?
• compared withWhat role did Mark Antony play in the late Roman Republic?
• an unexpected connectionWho shares a famous modern name with the ancient Egyptian city?Both the historic Donations of Alexandria and a prominent modern U.S. congresswoman share the name Alexandria, though they are separated by millennia.

Sources

• [1]Donations of Alexandria (Wikidata Q1277319) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Donations of Alexandria · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Ptolemy Philadelphus (son of Cleopatra) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Alexander Helios · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez · CC BY-SA 4.0