From ancient portraits on coins to Elizabeth Taylor’s famous portrayal, Cleopatra’s looks have been depicted in countless ways throughout the millennia.
What did Cleopatra look like ?
The physical appearance of the last Egyptian pharaoh has long been enigmatic . And since the Queen of the Nile has been portrayed in so many way of life throughout the twelvemonth , Cleopatra ’s real facial expression remains largely a mystery to this daylight .
History has leave few clue behind . But that has n’t stopped historiographer — and Hollywood producer — from running gaga with speculation about Cleopatra ’s actual case . Was she a heart - lay off femme fatale like Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 movieCleopatra ? Or was she simply a plain cleaning lady with “ irresistible charm , ” as the Hellenic historiographer Plutarch once claimed ?
DeAgostini/Getty ImagesQueen Cleopatra’s image has been the subject of countless artworks, like this one by Frederick Arthur Bridgman in 1896.
DeAgostini / Getty ImagesQueen Cleopatra ’s ikon has been the discipline of multitudinous nontextual matter , like this one by Frederick Arthur Bridgman in 1896 .
Other than Cleopatra ’s stunner , another topic that has invigorate debate — especially in late age — is her backwash . While the ancient queen is usually portray as being ashen in westerly countries , some have hypothecate that she was really Black , or perhaps another slipstream completely .
In the 2,000 years sinceCleopatra ’s death , historiographer have collect some evidence that might help us get closer to the truth .
Wikimedia CommonsA possible bust of Cleopatra, which was made between 40 and 30 B.C.
Inside The Cleopatra “Race Controversy”
Wikimedia CommonsA possible female chest of Cleopatra , which was made between 40 and 30 B.C.
Cleopatra was born in Egypt around 70 B.C. But wayward to popular notion , the queen in all likelihood was n’t Egyptian herself .
In fact , she belonged to a line ofrulersthat descended from Ptolemy I. A cosmopolitan and historian , Ptolemy had traveled to Egypt with Alexander the Great . There , Ptolemy fix himself up as the king after Alexander ’s death in 323 B.C. Since Ptolemy had won over many native Egyptians by that point , they generally accepted his descendant as extensions of the pharaohs .
API/GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho/Getty ImagesElizabeth Taylor remains one of the most famous — if controversial — portrayals of the queen in recent history.
But Ptolemy came from Macedonian Greece , and his family seemed to avoid wed aboriginal Egyptians . Instead , they usuallymarried each other . This fact is significant . Often , the interrogative : “ What did Cleopatra bet like ? ” is underline with another : “ Was Cleopatra Black ? ”
It ’s difficult to say with sure thing . Though Cleopatra ’s Greek root on her father ’s side are well documented , the same can not be said for her mother , whose identityremains incertain to this 24-hour interval . And the Graeco-Roman world was n’t exclusively white-hot . So just because a woman’sfamilyhailed from Europe did not necessarily mean that they could n’t have root from another area .
API / GAMMA / Gamma - Rapho / Getty ImagesElizabeth Taylor remains one of the most famous — if controversial — portraying of the poove in late history .
Wikimedia CommonsCleopatra revealing herself to Julius Caesar in a famous 1866 artwork by Jean-Léon Gérôme.
The Cleopatra “ race tilt ” has simmered for decades now , as many have question the uncertain ethnicity of the sinewy pouf — especially since she spent most of her sprightliness in North Africa .
But this matter has arguably been pushed to the cutting edge of debates on her coming into court in recent years , as some modern moviegoer have knock Elizabeth Taylor ’s renowned 1963 portrait as well as the late cast of Israeli actress Gal Gadot in a new movie about the queen .
IfCleopatrawas indeed Black , one cultural historiographer claimed that it would “ put the entire social organisation of Western civilization into question ” — because that would have in mind the political world basically revolve around a Black woman during a key sentence in global story .
Wikimedia CommonsAs depicted in this 19th-century painting, Cleopatra made an impression when she met Mark Antony in Tarsus.
But assuming that Cleopatra ’s foremother did n’t venture on occasion with native Egyptians — or other people who lived on the African continent — then Cleopatra likely follow her root back to the Greeks .
Was Cleopatra Beautiful?
Wikimedia CommonsCleopatra revealing herself to Julius Caesar in a famous 1866 nontextual matter by Jean - Léon Gérôme .
Regardless of her ethnicity , many multitude claim that Cleopatra was stunningly gorgeous . During her life , she venture on love intimacy with two of the most powerful Romans of the age : Julius Caesar and Mark Antony .
As the story goes , Cleopatra met Julius Caesar in a spectacular fashion in 48 B.C. Caesar come to Egypt while Cleopatra was embroiled in a power struggle with her brother . Sensing an chance , she twine herself into a carpet and snuck into his chamber . Then she came tumbling out , ask for his help . Apparently captivated by the faggot , Caesar agreed .
Wikimedia CommonsA first-century painting that possibly depicts Cleopatra after her death.
Before foresighted , Cleopatranot only kill her brother — but she also give birth to Caesar ’s Word , Caesarion .
After Caesar ’s assassination in 44 B.C. , Cleopatra next train her sights onMark Antony . And she pull out out all the stops for him , too .
Wikimedia CommonsAs depict in this nineteenth - century painting , Cleopatra made an impression when she met Mark Antony in Tarsus .
Public DomainCleopatra, left, and Mark Antony, right, on two sides of an ancient coin.
As depict by Cleopatra biographer Stacy Schiff , Cleopatrarolled into the city of Tarsus(in present - Clarence Day Turkey ) in an “ explosion of color . ”
“ She reclined beneath a gold - spangled canopy , dressed as Venus in a picture , while beautiful young boys , like painted Cupids , stood at her sides and fan her , ” Schiff wrote . “ Her fair maids were likewise preen as ocean nymphs and graces , some steering at the rudder , some process at the ropes . ”
As the Grecian historian Appian tartly noted , “ The moment he saw her , Antony lose his head to her like a new man . ”
Wikimedia CommonsCleopatra and her son, depicted at the Temple of Hathor in Egypt.
This process an interesting question : How did ancient Greek and Roman historians usually describe Cleopatra ?
What Did Cleopatra Look Like? Ask Ancient Greek And Roman Historians
Wikimedia CommonsA first - century painting that perhaps picture Cleopatra after her decease .
Mostly , Roman historiographer describe Cleopatra as beautiful . But while this might seem flattering or at least well - meaning today , it sure as shooting was n’t the sound description during Cleopatra ’s time .
WhenCassius Dio describesCleopatra meeting Caesar , he portrays the Egyptian queer as “ brilliant to look upon and to heed to , with the might to reduce every one , even a love - sate homo already past his flush . ” Dio also trace Caesar as “ entirely captivated ” when he first take on the royal stag . Cleopatra , Dio declares , was “ a woman of surpassing looker . ”
YouTube/Wikimedia CommonsOne artist’s reconstruction of Cleopatra, based on a historic bust.
Plutarch presents a slightly more complicated purview of what Cleopatra look like . In describing Cleopatra ’s meeting with Mark Antony , theGreek writer notedthat “ she was go to inspect Antony at the very time when women have the most brilliant beauty and are at the acme of intellectual power . ” But he also goes on to describe Cleopatra ’s real facial expression in less flattering terms :
“ For her beauty , as we are told , was in itself not altogether incomparable , ” he write , “ nor such as to strike those who see her ; but discourse with her had an irresistible appeal , and her presence , combined with the persuasiveness of her treatment and the character which was somehow diffuse about her demeanour towards others , had something stimulating about it . ”
Plutarch carry on , “ There was sweetness also in the tones of her voice ; and her tongue , like an instrument of many strings , she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased … ”
But their description should be considered within the historical linguistic context . The Romans disliked and suspect Cleopatra — as a foreign entity and a powerful woman . The first - century poet Horace described her as “ a crazy queen … plat … to demolish the Capitol and topple the [ Roman ] Empire . ” And while Hellenic historian may have painted a more realistic picture of the queen mole rat , they also focused quite a bit on her physical appearance .
And during Cleopatra ’s time , many male leaders depict her as an evil “ whore ” who could manipulate powerful men if they were n’t measured . This misogynistic depiction also served as a beguilement from her many other impressive qualities — like her skills as a political leader and her power to address multiple voice communication — which are largely still downplayed to this day .
Many people in modern times think that Cleopatra was the ultimate seductress , but this image may be nothing more than propaganda in the beginning push by Roman Emperor Octavian — who want to portray his rival , Antony , as someone who ’d fall into the snare of a foreign femme fatale .
Eager to support Octavian ’s variant of the story , many Roman historians may have described Cleopatra the way of life they did just because it corresponded with their narrative of a distasteful temptress .
Physical Clues About Cleopatra’s Real Face
Public DomainCleopatra , impart , and Mark Antony , right , on two side of an ancient coin .
But innovative historiographer do n’t have to take the word of ancient writer . Cleopatra did leave some physical clues about her appearing .
Some of these can be found in coins . The coin above , minted during Cleopatra ’s biography , gives her curly hair , a hooked nose , and a jutting chin . Most coins of Cleopatrapresent a similar image — especially the aquiline nose . However , her image could have been Romanized to match Antony ’s .
Aside from the Romans , the Egyptians also provide some clues . The exterior wall of the Temple of Hathor are covered with engravings from Cleopatra ’s sidereal day . She ’s picture in one invention with her son Caesarion .
Wikimedia CommonsCleopatra and her Word , depicted at the Temple of Hathor in Egypt .
However , if the Romans Romanized Cleopatra , the Egyptians Egyptionized her . She ’s depicted like a goddess — which make sense , as Cleopatra identified powerfully with the goddess Isis during her life sentence .
But when it derive to Cleopatra ’s real cheek , ancient clew can be as enigmatic as advanced - day ones . Egyptians and Romans had their own interpretation of what Cleopatra looked like — just like the artists who followed .
So while there are many ancient delineation of her , most of them were created after her death — meaning that they often say more about the creative person or the meter in which the artist last than they do about the real Cleopatra .
Why Does It Matter What Cleopatra Looked Like?
YouTube / Wikimedia CommonsOne creative person ’s reconstruction of Cleopatra , based on a historical tear .
For centuries , historians have debated what Cleopatra looked like and whether she was in truth as endearing as the stories say . But some experts are frustrated by all the doubt about Cleopatra ’s real facial expression .
“ Why are we so possessed with talking about whether she was attractive or not , ” demanded Egyptologist Sally - Ann Ashton , “ when really we should be look at her as a unassailable and influential swayer from 2,000 years ago ? ”
Schiff agrees . “ What enervate those who wrote her history,”she write , “ was her independence of nous , the enterprising spirit . ”
In other words , the mankind of Cleopatra ’s mean solar day pin her winner to her appearance instead of her intellect . Most of them did n’t mention her political prowess and mastery of languages . Plutarch acknowledged Cleopatra ’s “ charm . ” But others — playwrights , artists , and Hollywood producer — have also rivet primarily on Cleopatra ’s good looks .
However , some are simply curious about her appearing for historical reasons . Since it ’s readable that her image has been at least somewhat embellished by both ancient historians and New - day moving-picture show , it ’s rude to marvel how much truth there was behind the narration .
So what did Cleopatra actually await like ? We may never recognize . Despite attempt to site her remains , her body has never been feel . The real typeface of the iconic Queen of the Nile remain a mystery to this day .
But although good spirit can fade , Cleopatra ’s report has stand the tryout of metre . Two thousand years after her decease , she still beguile the world .
After reading about the enduring whodunit of Cleopatra ’s substantial brass , check out these11 terrific women warriors from account . Then , browse through these photos ofEgyptian culture before the British occupation .
