Was Cleopatra Really That Beautiful?

Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, has maintained a place in popular culture as a vision of unparalleled beauty. But how much of that is myth and how much is reality?

We rarely think about it, but how do we even know what Cleopatra looked like? Aside from a few Roman coins and statues depicting her, our understanding relies on writings from her contemporaries, many of whom were biased towards her.

Some sources, particularly male authors like Plutarch, describe her as incredibly beautiful, with a captivating presence. They even claim she used her beauty to manipulate influential Roman figures.

But could she have been this stunning?

Recent research suggests maybe not quite as we imagine. Experts have analyzed the few surviving portraits and believe they show Cleopatra with prominent cheekbones, a wide nose, and a large jawline, features not traditionally associated with the "ideal" beauty standards of the time.

This doesn't mean Cleopatra wasn't conventionally attractive. It was likely a combination of her physical features, intelligence, charisma, and strategic prowess that made her such a powerful queen. She understood the importance of perception and used her image carefully to her advantage.

Ultimately, it's fascinating to consider how our understanding of history is shaped by limited evidence and the biases of the writers who preserved it. Perhaps Cleopatra's true beauty wasn't just physical, but resided in her intelligence, political acumen, and ability to leave an enduring mark on history.