She was born 69
B.C. and died 30 B.C. and 2,083 years later, we still want to be
her. You still see Cleopatra costumes — a sign that the ancient Egyptian
queen’s got staying power in the human psyche. Here are 17 things you
didn’t know about Cleopatra, a woman we’ve wanted to be since ancient times.
1. She was the last real pharaoh
Rome took over Egypt after Cleopatra’s death. Her son, Caesarion, ruled
Egypt on his own for a short time but was defeated by Gaius Julius Caesar
Octavianus. After that, Egypt was known as Aegyptus.
2. She wasn’t the first Cleopatra
In fact, her full title is Cleopatra VII Philopator, signifying that there
were six Cleopatras before her. One of the six was Alexander the Great’s
sister, Cleopatra. But the name was made famous only by one — helped
no doubt by the actor Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 epic, “Cleopatra.”
3. That famous eye makeup had a
medicinal purpose
The tempting, cat-eye trademark black ring around Cleopatra’s eyes
and the sweep of black makeup out to her cheek was not just for vanity’s sake.
Egyptians faced a variety of illnesses back in the day, including eye
infections. Kohl was thought to contain properties that fought eye
ailments.
4. She owned a perfume factory
Oils and perfumes were used by everyday Egyptians during Cleopatra’s time,
especially to protect from the sun, and the stink of a sweaty body. Allegedly,
our girl owned an entire perfume and cosmetics factory near the Dead Sea on
land bequeathed to her by Marc Antony.
5. She had some favorite dishes
Purportedly, stuffed pigeon with a side of local, seasonal vegetables was
the plat du jour for the Lady of the Nile. On special nights a fresh Nile catch
would be served up. Desserts were rife with figs, sweet honey, and spirits.
Dining, drinking, and conversation were highly valued in the royal Egyptian
court.
6. She won a bet with Marc Antony
At one of those dinners, she employed the seductive powers of science to win
a wager with her man Marc. The night apparently went like this: Antony bet her
that she couldn’t spend a fortune on one meal, so to prove him wrong, she
dropped a very expensive set of pearls in a cocktail and everyone watched them
dissolve. Science shows that pearls and vinegar do not compliment each other.
7. She might not have had model
looks
Many scholars and academics claim that Cleopatra had a more masculine and
rough look than the Elizabeth-Taylor image we think of today. A
2,000-year-old coin (above) was found, depicting Cleopatra with a protruding
nose, sharp chin, and a roly-poly neck.
8. She was quite polyglossic
It’s said she knew eight different languages fluently. Besides her native
Greek, scholars point to her knowing the languages of the Ethiopians, Arabians,
Hebrews, Troglodytes (yes, cave people), Syrians, Parthians, and Medes.
9. She was believed to be the
reincarnation of Isis
Cleopatra’s subjects believed she was the reincarnation of the Goddess Isis.
Isis was considered the ideal mother and wife, as well as the patroness of
nature and magic.
10. She might have committed suicide
with a snake
Many believe that Cleopatra committed suicide by laying an asp on her chest
and letting it bite her.
11. She was from Macedonia
Cleopatra’s family was actually from Macedonia and followed Alexander the
Great to Egypt where the family came to be regarded as Egyptian
royalty. They quickly picked up all the local Egyptian customs including
incest — having pharaohs marry their siblings.
12. She bathed in milk
To preserve her skin and to remain looking youthful, Cleopatra is said to
have bathed daily in milk.
13. She married her siblings
During her rule, Cleopatra was married to two of her brothers. Eventually,
her own son, Caesarion, stepped in as co-ruler with her.
14. She was exiled from Egypt
briefly
Cleopatra’s brother, Ptolemy XIII, was supposed to share the rule of Egypt
with his sister, Cleopatra. But in an attempt to gain complete power, Ptolemy
XIII forced Cleopatra to flee Egypt. Cleopatra only regained power when she had
an affair with Julius Caesar.
15. She was a writer
Cleopatra wrote a medical and pharmacological work entitled “Cosmetics,”
which detailed remedies for hair loss, dandruff and other physical ailments
with symptoms that had implications for aesthetics.
16. She killed two of her siblings
Cleopatra killed her sister, who was rallying troops to overthrow her, and
her brother Ptolemy XIV, whom she supposedly poisoned after the birth of her
son.
17. Three of Cleopatra’s children
died
Cleopatra had four children — the first by Caesar and three more by
Marcus Antonius. Only one of her children, Cleopatra Selene, survived childhood
and went on to become the Queen of Mauretania.
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