History & Geography: Cleopatra's Needles

Cleopatra (69-30 BC) was a queen of Egypt, famous for her beauty, who became the lover of Julius Caesar and later of Mark Antony. When she and Antony were beaten in battle by Octavian's army, she used an asp (= a small poisonous snake) to kill herself.
Shakespeare's play Antony and Cleopatra is based on her relationship with Mark Antony.

Cleopatra's Needle in London

Cleopatra's Needle in New York

Cleopatra's Needle is a one of the two ancient Egyptian obeliks (=a very tall piece of stone with a pointed end) which were built over 3000 years ago. One is on the Embankment in London, and the other is in Central Park in New York City.