Maps of Movies

Cleopatra (1963)

Where Cleopatra says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

Egypt on screen, but not a day was shot there: the Nile palace was built on an Italian beach near Anzio

Scenes and places

The battle of Pharsalus (-48)

Caesar's victory at Pharsalus opens the story and sends him to Egypt.

Set in Pharsalus, Greece — The battlefield where Caesar defeats Pompey before sailing for Egypt.

Filmed at Almería, Spain (province) — The battle was reshot here in February 1963 with 1,500 extras.

How to get there:

Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria (-48)

Caesar arrives in Egypt in the middle of a civil war between Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy. Cleopatra persuades him to restore her throne.

Set in Alexandria, Egypt — The Ptolemaic capital, where Cleopatra has been driven out by her brother's guardians.

Filmed at Alexandria set near Anzio, Italy — The exterior Alexandria sets were built on the coast near Anzio.

How to get there:

Cleopatra enters Rome (-46)

Cleopatra arrives in Rome in a lavish procession and wins the adulation of the Roman people, while the Senate grows uneasy.

Set in Rome, Italy — The city where Caesar, now dictator for life, calls Cleopatra to join him.

The Ides of March in the Senate (-44)

The Senate grows increasingly discontented amid rumors that Caesar wishes to be made king, and a group of conspirators moves against him on the Ides of March.

Set in Roman Forum, Rome — The Forum and Senate where Caesar's rule is decided.

Filmed at Cinecittà, Rome — The Roman Forum was built as a set on twelve acres of the studio lot.

How to get there:

Antony meets Cleopatra on her barge (-41)

Antony needs money and supplies that only Egypt can provide. Cleopatra finally agrees to meet him on her royal barge, and the two begin a love affair.

Set in Tarsus, Turkey — The port city where Cleopatra meets Mark Antony on her royal barge.

The sea battle of Actium (-31)

Octavian's fleet under Agrippa meets the Antony-Egyptian fleet. Believing Antony dead, Cleopatra orders the Egyptian forces home, and Antony follows her.

Set in Actium, Greece — The sea off Actium, where Octavian's fleet faces Antony and the Egyptian fleet.

Filmed at Ischia, Italy — The unit relocated to the island, where the battle of Actium was shot.

How to get there:

Antony's last night in Alexandria (-30)

Cleopatra sends Caesarion away in disguise and urges Antony to take command again, but his soldiers abandon him during the night.

Set in Alexandria, Egypt — Back at the palace, Antony faces Octavian's advancing armies.

Cleopatra's tomb (-30)

Cleopatra withdraws to her tomb with two servants as Octavian's army closes in on Alexandria.

Set in Cleopatra's tomb, Alexandria — The tomb where Cleopatra has taken refuge with two servants.

Characters

• Cleopatra — The queen of Egypt who wins back her throne with Caesar's help.
• Julius Caesar — The Roman general who goes to Egypt after Pharsalus.
• Mark Antony — Caesar's right-hand man and general.