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Why did Cleopatra VII seek an alliance with Mark Antony?

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Ptolemaic sculpture — Ptolemaic dynasty Head of a queen, marble sculpture possibly made in Egypt, Ptolemaic period (305–30 bce); in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 14 × 12 × 11.5 cm.

Cleopatra VII sought an alliance with Mark Antony primarily to advance her political ambitions and secure the future of the Ptolemaic dynasty. As an exceptionally able and ambitious ruler, Cleopatra aimed to restore the former prestige and territorial reach of her kingdom, which had once included regions such as southern Syria and Palestine.12

The alliance was mutually beneficial:
* Cleopatra’s Objectives: She needed the military and political influence of a powerful Roman commander to help her recover lost territories and solidify her authority. In exchange for her support, she requested the return of significant portions of Egypt’s former eastern empire, including areas in Syria, Lebanon, and Jericho.123
* Antony’s Objectives: Antony required Egypt as a vital source of funds and supplies to support his military campaigns, particularly his planned attack on Parthia.45

Beyond these strategic goals, the two shared a long-standing personal relationship and had three children together. Their partnership was eventually exploited by Octavian in a propaganda war that depicted the alliance as a threat to Roman interests, ultimately leading to the conflict that ended the Ptolemaic era.4351