Juba, Cleopatra Selene, and the Roman Empire

Abstract

Juba and Cleopatra Selene ruled the client kingdom of Mauretania during the
reign of Augustus. The couple’s rule over the country was different than the
way other rulers controlled different client kingdoms. Their rule was bizarre
for three main reasons: both of the rulers were children of traitors to the state
of Rome, Cleopatra Selene was allowed to follow the role of the Imperial women
of Rome, and the couple also followed the example of the Ptolemy’s rather
than of Juba’s dynasty which created largely different rule than the other client
kingdoms of the time. Client rulers were not usually allowed to act in this
manner.