Cleopatra of Egypt : From History to Myth

Cleopatra Image Poll

What Does Cleopatra Mean to You?

Cleopatra secured her place in history by living a dramatic life at a pivotal point in time.

Even before her death, Cleopatra's story had taken on mythic proportions. Since then, each passing era has put its own imprint on her legend.

Vote now to tell us which of Cleopatra's powerful personas is your favorite.

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Cleopatra of Egypt: From History to Myth?

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Goddess of Her People

Benevolent. Compassionate. Immortal. Divine Benefactress.

The descendent of a foreign-born dynasty, Cleopatra inspired great affection among her subjects by embracing Egyptian customs and demonstrating her religious devotion.

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Powerful Ruler

Wealthy. Strategic. Strong.
Able Administrator.

Cleopatra conducted herself as a great queen who could maintain stability at home and command respect on the world stage.

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Brazen Manipulator

Ruthless. Greedy. Treacherous. Wicked Temptress.

Cleopatra posed a grave danger to Caesar's successor, Octavian, who rallied hostility against his enemy by portraying her as an immoral woman who threatened Roman society.

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African Queen

Inspirational. Celebrated. Symbolic. Role Model.

Could Cleopatra have been black? People have considered this question for many years.

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Glamorous Beauty

Extravagant. Sensual. Desirable. Captivating Flirt.

Hollywood's most glamorous actresses—including Theda Bara, Claudette Colbert and Elizabeth Taylor—have fixed Cleopatra in many minds as extraordinarily desirable.

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Complex Heroine

Fascinating. Ambitious. Human. Tragic Figure.

Shakespeare created a Cleopatra with depth. She was strong, but also showed weakness. She had a brilliant intellect, yet was driven by her passions.

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	"Black basalt statue of Cleopatra VII." Courtesy of the State Hermitage Museum. "Bronze 80 drachma coin of Cleopatra VII." Courtesy of The Hunterian Museum, Glasgow. "Antony and Cleopatra" by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. Private Collection / The Bridgeman Art Library. "The Death of Antony." Engraving by A. Paget. By permission of The Folger Shakespeare Library. "Cleopatra," 1917, Theda Bara. Courtesy of The Everett Collection. "Head of woman resembling Cleopatra VII." Courtesy of The British Museum, London.