In cinema, the role of Cleopatra has always been given to the most spectacular and beautiful actresses of her time: Vivien Leigh, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Monica Bellucci. But the myth of the beauty of Cleopatra is one of the most common misconceptions. Scientists have attempted to reconstruct the real image of the Egyptian ruler, and the results were amazing.
Spectacular on-screen Cleopatra - Elizabeth Taylor and Monica Bellucci
Cambridge Egyptologist Sally Ann Ashton has been working on the reconstruction of Cleopatra for over a year. On the basis of a number of preserved images, using the method of three-dimensional computer modeling, the researcher recreated the image of the queen, which turned out to be very far from the stereotypical ideas about her attractiveness and irresistibility. The material for the scientists was coins with the profile of Cleopatra, reproductions of bas-reliefs of a temple in the Egyptian city of Dendera, representing the queen in the form of the goddess Isis, sculptural images and an analysis of her genealogy.
Reconstruction of the appearance of Cleopatra from the Cambridge Egyptologist Sally Ann Ashton
In the mass consciousness, Cleopatra's appearance is associated with the image created by Western cinema: the Hollywood beauty of the Caucasian race. But in the external appearance, recreated by scientists, both European and Egyptian features are guessed.
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Busts of Cleopatra (presumably)
Images of Cleopatra on coins
Extant images of Cleopatra (presumably)
“She was probably not completely European,” explains Sally Ann Ashton. “Don't forget that her family had been living in Egypt for 300 years when she came to power.”
Silent movie star Ted Bara as Cleopatra, 1917
Claudette Colbert in * Cleopatra *, 1934
A swarthy-faced woman with irregular facial features can hardly claim the title of the most beautiful. Judging by the surviving images, Cleopatra had a rather large nose, thin lips, and a sharp chin. Historians of the British Museum concluded that her figure was stocky and plump, and with a height of 152 cm, she looked disproportionate. According to scientists, such a physique was determined genetically: most of the descendants of the Macedonian dynasty of the Ptolemies inherited similar features.
Vivien Leigh in * Caesar and Cleopatra *, 1945
Sophia Loren in * Two Nights with Cleopatra *, 1953
The Greek historian Plutarch wrote about Cleopatra as follows: “They say that her outward beauty was not at all incomparable … but she spoke with irresistible charm. On the one hand, her appearance, combined with seductive speech, and on the other, her character, inexplicably manifested in all her actions, conquered others to the highest degree. Her voice sounded gentle."
Another attempt to recreate the appearance of Cleopatra
As the saying goes, find 10 differences
However, her expressionless appearance did not stop Cleopatra from being known as one of the most beautiful and desirable women in history. She managed to win the hearts of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. It was said that she possessed incredible sexuality and remarkable intelligence, and was fluent in the art of seduction. In addition, the queen was well educated, knew several languages, could hold a conversation about literature, philosophy, or even war strategies, and was well versed in politics.
As the saying goes, find 10 differences
It is believed that the myth of the beauty of Cleopatra appeared thanks to Octavian Augustus, who did not want to recognize her intellectual merits and political talent, and therefore spread rumors about the purely female reasons for her influence on Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Hence, the myth of her exorbitant sexual appetites appeared.
Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, 1963
It should be noted that the reconstruction of Cleopatra's appearance, performed by Sally Ann Ashton, raises doubts among the British Egyptologist, professor at Oxford University John Baines. The scientist stated that the project of his colleagues from Cambridge is populist in nature and does not represent scientific value, since the preserved images of Cleopatra cannot be recognized as authentic and reliable.
Monica Bellucci in * Asterix and Obelix: Mission * Cleopatra *, 2002
