Cleopatra's Beauty revisited, Coins say it All

 

Cleopatra was said to be beautiful beyond compare and swiftly became the love of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. In fact, it was rumored she was so admired that many could not help falling in love with her. However, various pieces of archaeology have been challenging the notion of Cleopatra's perceived beauty. Plutarch in 75 AD (Antony 27.2), comments that Cleopatra was not overly beautiful, but that the charm of her presence was irresistible and this, combined with her peculiar force of character, made everyone associated with her fall under her spell. Numismatic evidence bears out Plutarch's testimony, with the discovery of a tiny 2,000-year-old silver coin. It portrays the Egyptian queen with a shallow forehead and a pointed nose. On the obverse beams her Roman lover Mark Antony, replete with bulging eyes.

                                                 

                                           Cleopatra

 This coin went on display at a British university in February 2007. A denarius worth 1/300th of a Roman soldier's salary, dates from 32 BC. It was studied by experts at Newcastle University.  

                                               

Mark Antony and Cleopatra, denarius, Egypt, 32 BC,

Obverse: Mark Antony head facing right, with caption, Antoni Armenia devicta, meaning "For Antony Armenia having been vanquished.

Reverse: Cleopatra facing right, with inscription Cleopatra Reginae regum filiorumque regum, meaning "For Cleopatra, Queen of kings and of her children who are kings"

The coins of Cleopatra also document her aspirations and the history of her reign (51-30 BC). She was the third daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes, was born in 69 BC. After her father died in 51 BC, she and her younger brother became joint monarchs. She was 18 years old. 

                                               

Cleopatra carving from the temple of Horus at Idfu, Egypt

During the civil war between Caesar and the Roman Senate (49 BC) Cleopatra allied herself with Caesar, famously rolling herself up in a carpet. Caesar made Cleopatra Queen of Egypt in 48 BC.

                                                

Relief of Cleopatra as a goddess, 69-30 BCE, Temple of Hathor, Dandarah, Egypt

In 41 BC, after Caesar's death, Antony summoned Cleopatra to question her about her loyalty. She and Antony also began an affair that resulted in three children. After Antony's conquest of Armenia in 34 BC, the relationship materialized on coinage. Unlike Caesar, Antony publicly proclaimed his relationship with the Egyptian queen.  

                                             

Cleopatra bust, Patras coin, 32-31 BC, on the Obverse, Reverse: Headdress of Isis 

                                               

Ptolemaic Kingdom, Egypt, 51-30 BC, weight 12.9 gm

Obverse: Diademed draped bust of Cleopatra VII, right

Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, double cornucopia to right, value mark 80.

                                               

Obverse: Diademed bust off Cleopatra VII, right

Reverse: Baal of Berytus in quadriga of Hppocamps, to left BH, to right LC LAK

    

                                              

Ptolemaic Kingdom, Egypt, 51-30 BC, weight 17.6 gm

Obverse: Draped bust of Cleopatra VII, right

Reverse: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt

                                           

Obverse: Head of Antonius right, behind Armenian tiara, around Antoni Armenia Devicta

Reverse: Bust of Cleopatra right, around Cleopatrae Reginae Regvm Filiorum Regvm.  

                                                

Ptolemy XV Caesar (right) and his mother, Cleopatra, relief in the temple of Hathor, Egypt

                                            

 

                               Cleopatra Thea Philopator

  

After Antony's defeat by Octavian, Rome's to be second emperor in 31 BC, both Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. According to legend, Cleopatra chose to perish by an asp's bite.

Cleopatra

Cleopatra on Coins

Ptolemaic Kingdom