cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, is arguably one of the most famous and enigmatic figures in the old world.
Her image, immortalized in ancient artifacts and reinterpreted in contemporary works, has always aroused curiosity about how she really was and whether her representation in cinema was faithful to reality.
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However, recent archaeological discoveries and historical research have shed light on Cleopatra's authentic appearance, unlocking mysteries that have long puzzled scholars.
These revelations have generated great interest and heated debates surrounding her true skin color and other aspects of her appearance.
Discoveries about Cleopatra's true appearance surprise experts
(Image: publicity)
Over the years, the amount of uncertainty regarding Cleopatra's appearance has been magnified. This is due to the fact that to this day the body of the famous queen of Egypt has never been found.
However, scholars claim that depictions found on artifacts can be deceiving.
Andrew Kenrick, renowned researcher at the University of East Anglia in the UK, recently revealed that ancient statues may not be as accurate in portraying reality.
According to him, these sculptures and statues were conceived as projections of different aspects of an important figure, rather than being made based on physical resemblance.
“It is common, for example, for a statue to represent a ruler with a much more muscular body than he actually had,” explained Kenrick in an interview with the Live Science portal.
Debates about your ethnic background
As we mentioned earlier, there is a dearth of ancient objects depicting Cleopatra.
Only a few statues, whose origin is uncertain, and coins minted by her were found in the city of Taposiris Magna, Egypt. The quantity is limited, which makes it difficult to accurately analyze your physical appearance.
Regarding the discussion about her skin color, Professor Prudence Jones, from Montclair State University, points out that there is no evidence from the ancient world that indicates Cleopatra's skin tone.
However, some researchers have raised the possibility that she has African ancestry. Andrew Kenrick claims that although her father was Greek and she considered herself Greek, Cleopatra portrayed herself as an Egyptian when it suited her politically.
However, Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian minister of antiquities, vehemently refutes the idea that Cleopatra had African blood. He points out that well-documented history attests that Cleopatra was not black.
Cleopatra could have been white, according to other analyses.
Through painstaking research and analysis, experts were able to determine that this figure's mother tongue was Greek. This surprising finding not only confirms the connection with Greece Ancient, but also reveals fascinating details about its heritage and identity.
By closely examining the busts and contemporary portraits, the researchers uncovered a striking feature: the figure is clearly portrayed as being white. This artistic representation is a powerful visual testament to how this figure was perceived at the time.
This historic find brings a new perspective on the mysterious figure, providing valuable insights into his origin and influence.
