Cleopatra remains one of the most fascinating figures from ancient history, inspiring both imagination and controversy for millennia. She has been depicted both as…
Cleopatra remains one of the most fascinating figures from ancient history, inspiring both imagination and controversy for millennia. She has been depicted both as sensuous beauty and powerful politician; while her turbulent relationship with Mark Antony remains a source of fascination for artists and writers.
However, what was her real personality like? Unfortunately, this question remains difficult to answer due to our limited knowledge. But there are a few clues from coins, sculptures and her writings which offer us some indications as to her life and personality.
Based on these sources, it becomes apparent that Cleopatra was an intelligent and resourceful woman, adeptly overseeing both her empire and those of her Ptolemaic dynasty. Additionally, she was known to be a passionate yet smart seductress who would play her cards expertly to attract men – often at great personal cost to herself.
Antonius initially sought to help stabilize her kingdom and forge mutually beneficial ties between it and Rome, but when their affair interfered with these goals it allowed Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) to marginalize her as an exotic Eastern seductress who threatened Roman authority.
Cleopatra was also keen to shape her image as the queen of Egypt and thus play an active role in determining how people viewed her. Her coins depicted her with a strong jawline to emphasize both her dynastic heritage and Egyptian origins; other coins featured her appearing as goddess to invoke support from established deities.
Shakespeare and later movie versions of Cleopatra both highlighted her tragic love story with Antony, while Orientalist paintings that were popular at that time depicted her as an alluring eastern queen with seductive powers.
Archaeological discoveries have done nothing to dispel this romanticized image of Cleopatra. When a small coin featuring her with what appeared to be a hook-like hooter was discovered, headlines were made. Initial press reports focused on how much Cleopatra resembled Elizabeth Taylor than Kennedy or Roosevelt and criticism pointed towards how deeply Cleopatra believed in one world unity.
Cleopatra remains an intriguing figure today; unfortunately, her image today is often inaccurate. That is unfortunate as she did great things for Egypt and held its kingdom together against Rome’s powerful forces – an unlikely femme fatale indeed!