An inaccessible beauty "for all time", a devoted lover who fell victim to her spiteful critics and envious men - it was in this form that the "canonical" image of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra stuck in the heads of many generations.
Young girls imagine "the same career, but without a tragic denouement", and from older people you can often hear "here was a woman that was needed - beautiful, smart, decisive." However, this image is inspired more by movies than by an actual study of publicly available facts. The legend "about an incredibly beautiful and sensual queen, before whom the strongest of this world bowed down" began to form after death. In different eras, the legend changed "according to the requirements of the time": Cleopatra, in the minds of people, became either a fair ruler with "a number of successes on the love front", then an example of a "smart beauty with a strong man", then, in the end, a prudent careerist, well "monetized »Natural beauty. In our time, the idea of the Egyptian queen has crystallized into something between Disney's Little Mermaid and the Statue of Liberty:she is good, fair, domineering, true to her love and lived somewhere after Adam, but before Stalin.
As is often the case, in reality everything is much more complicated and at the same time sadder. In fact, Cleopatra VII Philopator was alternately married to her two younger brothers, gave birth to four children and became the last representative of her royal dynasty. In fact, all the "pillars" that hold the modern legend of Cleopatra turn out to be myths.
Myth 1. Egyptian
Cleopatra belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which is called "Greek" or "Macedonian". The dynasty was founded by a colleague of Alexander the Great and his commander Ptolemy, the son of Laga. The legend even gives him a kinship with Alexander the Great himself. Whether it is true or not, after the capture of Egypt by the Macedonians, Ptolemy was appointed satrap (ruler) of this country. He founds a dynasty whose representatives tried to “keep their blood pure,” in other words, they married their sisters. There is a theory according to which Cleopatra's mother was a certain concubine, but in general her nationality is easy to determine - the last representative of the Ptolemies was Macedonian, or, to generalize, Greek. To her credit, it must be said that she was almost the only representative of the dynasty who deigned to learn the language of the obedient Egyptian people.
Myth 2. The autocrat queen
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Formally, this is true, Cleopatra was indeed the queen of Egypt. However, it possessed real fullness of power "periodically", and it will not work at all to talk about actual rule of an independent state. Do not forget that we are talking about the ancient world, where the role of women was (at least officially) secondary. Cleopatra could not reign on her own in Egypt. After the death of her father, she “shared the throne” with her younger brother Ptolemy XIII. They were officially married, although in practice the “husband” was only 9 years old at the time of accession to the kingdom, while Cleopatra was already 17. Nevertheless, her attempt to rule on her own failed - hiding behind the name of the pharaoh, the courtiers actually drove the girl out of the capital, capturing power.
Bust of Cleopatra VII from Scherchell in Algeria (Berlin Antique Collection).
The failed queen was returned to the throne by her lover Gaius Julius Caesar. Rich, but almost not independent Egypt was a “close client” of the militant center of the then world - Rome. Caesar (very useful for Cleopatra) visited Egypt in a large company, as was customary among the Romans, his friends - smiling but well-armed legionnaires. The brother and husband of the disgraced queen was overthrown, and she was put on the throne, not forgetting to formally marry another brother - Ptolemy XIV. Having become the illegal, but de facto wife of the almighty Caesar, Cleopatra really ruled Egypt, but only in the way that was convenient for Rome. It got to the point that Caesar, who applied the Divide Et Impera (“divide and rule”) rule to both Cleopatra and Egypt at the same time, openly called the “independent ruler” to him in Rome, “closer”.
The period of the queen's reign after the death of Caesar is well illustrated by one fact: the legionnaires left in Egypt without a tight hand were engaged in plundering the local population until Rome itself took them out of the controlled country. Subsequent cohabitation with Caesar's associate, the ruler of the eastern part of the Empire, Mark Antony, gave Cleopatra more power, but also only within the framework that was beneficial to the "capital of the world." The civil war that began then between Antony and the official heir of Caesar, who entered the era of omnipotence, Octavian, led to disaster both Cleopatra the Seventh herself and the whole of Egypt.
Myth 3. Incomparable beauty
The most solid and most controversial "pillar" in the creation of the cult of Cleopatra. Paintings dedicated to the queen, as early as the Renaissance, depicted a Greek woman in accordance with the beauty standards of the time. If desired, you can trace the change in the image in accordance with the changes in these standards. The current perception was more likely inspired by the fantasy of filmmakers: the roles of Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh are finally sugar-coated by Monica Bellucci.
Vivien Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor and Monica Bellucci as Cleopatra. AIF collage.
Unfortunately, we cannot say exactly what Cleopatra looked like. Before the invention of photography, then there were a couple thousand years left, so only busts that are close in production time to the life of the character have to be discussed. In those of them that are identified precisely as the busts of Cleopatra, she appears as a woman with a large, slightly hooked nose, a narrow forehead and a thick lower lip. However, the most objective in this case is to study the opinions of her contemporaries, they certainly assessed by the then "standards". They begin to write about the Egyptian queen as a woman of incredible beauty a couple of hundred years after her death. True, the same people write about the "unprecedented depravity" of Cleopatra. In general, historians question most of these estimates, although they stand at the origins of the legend. The most authoritative is the opinion of the famous Plutarch,quoted by him in his work "Comparative Biographies" (in the part where Mark Anthony is told, the tsarina did not deserve an independent biography from the historian). As the virtues of Cleopatra, he calls the "irresistible charm of conversion", convincing speeches and an incredibly beautiful voice. However, at the same time, he mentions that "the beauty of this woman was not what is called incomparable and strikes at first sight." At the same time, Plutarch is as close as possible to the period described and is considered a historian who rather sympathized with the last representative of the Ptolemaic clan. Researchers most often agree that the main advantage of Cleopatra was, undoubtedly, the intelligence and ability to find a common language (hence, approach) with men.the tsarina did not deserve an independent biography from the historian). As the virtues of Cleopatra, he calls the "irresistible charm of conversion", convincing speeches and an incredibly beautiful voice. However, at the same time, he mentions that "the beauty of this woman was not what is called incomparable and strikes at first sight." At the same time, Plutarch is as close as possible to the period described and is considered a historian who rather sympathized with the last representative of the Ptolemaic clan. Researchers most often agree that the main advantage of Cleopatra was, undoubtedly, the intelligence and ability to find a common language (hence, approach) with men.the tsarina did not deserve an independent biography from the historian). As the virtues of Cleopatra, he calls the "irresistible charm of conversion", convincing speeches and an incredibly beautiful voice. However, at the same time, he mentions that "the beauty of this woman was not what is called incomparable and strikes at first sight." At the same time, Plutarch is as close as possible to the period described and is considered a historian who rather sympathized with the last representative of the Ptolemaic clan. Researchers most often agree that the main advantage of Cleopatra was, undoubtedly, the intelligence and ability to find a common language (hence, approach) with men.that "the beauty of this woman was not what is called incomparable and strikes at first sight." At the same time, Plutarch is as close as possible to the period described and is considered a historian who rather sympathized with the last representative of the Ptolemaic clan. Researchers most often agree that the main advantage of Cleopatra was, undoubtedly, the intelligence and ability to find a common language (hence, approach) with men.that "the beauty of this woman was not what is called incomparable and strikes at first sight." At the same time, Plutarch is as close as possible to the period described and is considered a historian who rather sympathized with the last representative of the Ptolemaic clan. Researchers most often agree that the main advantage of Cleopatra was, undoubtedly, the intelligence and ability to find a common language (hence, approach) with men.
Myth 4. Sensual and romantic
According to legend, a carpet was brought to Caesar's chambers, in which Cleopatra was hidden. The carpet was unfolded, and she allegedly suddenly appeared before the gaze of a powerful Roman, who was instantly struck by her slenderness and inexpressible beauty. Further, the narrator of the legend must, apparently, significantly shut up, because "children under sixteen …". Here you have to press stop, and then "rewind the tape back." Sparing the romantic feelings of the girls, we will not stop at what Cleopatra brought in the bedding bag. Let's focus on Caesar. By the time he met the queen of Egypt, he was already over 50. He was an excellent commander, a very clever politician, a cunning intriguer and a decisive ruler. But the romance was inherent in him, let's say, special. Caesar was famous for his many connections sothat even the legionnaires led into battle sang: "Hide your wives, we are leading a bald lecher to the city." Of course, the girl's charms played a role in the fact that the Roman supported her in the struggle for the Egyptian throne. However, he quite prudently "made" her a queen - created a puppet ruler loyal to him personally. Apparently, it was more convenient for him to “combine business with pleasure” with the twenty-one-year-old Cleopatra than with her teenage brother in the role of pharaoh. Subsequently, Caesar will order a gilded statue to be erected for his mistress, but in his will he will absolutely not mention either her or their joint child Caesarion. However, he quite prudently "made" her a queen - created a puppet ruler loyal to him personally. Apparently, it was more convenient for him to “combine business with pleasure” with the twenty-one-year-old Cleopatra than with her teenage brother in the role of pharaoh. Subsequently, Caesar will order a gilded statue to be erected for his mistress, but in his will he will absolutely not mention either her or their joint child Caesarion. However, he quite prudently "made" her a queen - created a puppet ruler loyal to him personally. Apparently, it was more convenient for him to “combine business with pleasure” with the twenty-one-year-old Cleopatra than with her teenage brother in the role of pharaoh. Subsequently, Caesar will order a gilded statue to be erected for his mistress, but in his will he will absolutely not mention either her or their joint child Caesarion.
Cleopatra and Caesar. Painting by the artist Jean-Léon Jerome (1866).
Of course, Cleopatra conquered her next “Roman lover” Mark Antony more. But this had to be done thoroughly and with serious preparation. Several days of feasts and receptions, to demonstrate fabulous wealth to the detriment of the treasury, give gifts, find an approach. Anthony turned out to be a “simpler nut to crack” - realizing that the Roman is not stupid, but rather a brave soldier than a cunning politician, she chose the appropriate line of behavior. Rustic military humor, participation in "hooligan antics" - and now she is a fighting friend, and even with money. It doesn't matter what, until recently, she chose - in which direction to direct her arms, who will be the winner in the "Roman squabble".
The famous Italian historian Guglielmo Ferrero summed up the opinion about Cleopatra with the words "completely cold and dispassionate, by nature incapable of sincere feeling."
Myth 5. The ideal wife
Having contacted Caesar, Cleopatra started a war with her formal husband-brother Ptolemy. Fighting against the Romans and their allies, Ptolemy XIII drowned. Enjoying life with Caesar, the queen arrived in Rome - during her stay there she became the object of irritation of all enemies, and often allies of her lover. The bowl was overflowed - a group of conspirators kills Caesar. Cleopatra returns to Egypt - her second formal husband and brother, Ptolemy XIV, perishes. It is believed that he was poisoned, and most of all this death was beneficial (of course) to Cleopatra.
Jan de Bre, The Feast of Antony and Cleopatra, 1669.
Supporting the whims of Mark Antony in everything, the queen of Egypt went with him to fight against Octavian, the future emperor Augustus. Along the way, with her intrigues, she turned many of his associates away from Anthony. What was the preparation (feasts and parties), so was the war. In the decisive naval battle at Cape Shares, Cleopatra took command of part of Antony's fleet - about 200 (almost half) of the largest ships equipped in Egypt. At first, these ships did not engage in battle, standing in reserve, and when Octavian's fleet began to win, the Egyptian ships left the battlefield altogether. After his beloved, the defeated Anthony rushed off - his tragic end was only a matter of time.
Myth 6. Died not to live without a loved one
Mark Antony and Cleopatra in the capital of Egypt lost hope of victory and awaited the invasion of Octavian. In order not to be bored of waiting, they spent all the time at feasts, at the same time vowing to die together. True, when the legions of Octavian really entered Alexandria, the oath was unfulfilled. Anthony really threw himself on the sword, but Cleopatra allowed herself to be taken prisoner and, according to most historians, tried to pull off her signature trick. She allegedly tried to seduce Octavian - the heir to her first famous lover and enemy of the second. But this battle was initially losing. On the one hand - a mother of four children, 39 years old. On the other hand, he is not a rustic warrior Anthony, but a cunning, calculating and tough ruler.
Cleopatra's story ended when she realized why Octavian was keeping her alive - in order to lead her to triumph. In the ceremonial procession of the winner, she was given the role of a trophy and a museum piece - along with elephants and exotic plants. The queen killed herself (and, in parallel, perhaps, two of her maids) with the help of poison - either a snake or hidden in her clothes. Be that as it may, this was the end of the history of Cleopatra, the Ptolemaic dynasty and the independence of Egypt. The winners no longer wanted to play games with mistresses and controlled queens.
Death of Cleopatra, painting by Reginald Arthur, 1892.
PS Often in favor of supporting the myths about Cleopatra there is an opinion “She was slandered by the victorious enemies”. Of course, the enemies "corrected" the opinion about this woman, but what is important is that we are talking about the ancient world. In the absence of the media, it was difficult to launch outright lies into the crowd of people who were direct witnesses to the events. Therefore, with an obvious discount, but still you should trust the opinions of the contemporaries of Cleopatra VI Philopator. In any case, much more than Hollywood directors.
Vladimir Shushkin