This marked the fall of Egypt under the Roman Empire and a start of the new era in Egypt and a new culture, i.e. the Roman Egypt. In 51 BC, Cleopatra assumed power at the age of 17. She was required to marry so she took her brother, Ptolemy XIII, as her husband. He was only 12 by that time. Cleopatra soon dropped him from official documents and regarded herself as the sole ruler.