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Does the beauty of Queen Cleopatra rival or even surpass the Hollywood praises?
Surely, everyone has heard of the fame of Queen Cleopatra - one of the most talented and powerful women in ancient history. She was not only the flawless Pharaoh of Egypt (from 51 to 30 BCE), but also the prototype for many blockbuster movies. Most notably, in 1963, Elizabeth Taylor's portrayal of Queen Cleopatra captured the hearts of audiences, becoming the most beautiful Hollywood icon.
In the eyes of Hollywood, Queen Cleopatra has always been depicted as a stunning beauty. Whether adorned in luxurious gold or exuding unmatched charisma, she surpasses all. Not to mention her 1001 glamorous robes and legendary 'cat-eye' makeup style. The character of Cleopatra herself is often assigned to A-list celebrities, so just hearing her name evokes beauty - whether she's a protagonist or antagonist.
However, the true beauty of Queen Cleopatra may leave many film enthusiasts astonished, as it differs greatly from the cinematic portrayals!
Based on ancient coin designs and some rare documents, historians have presented the most realistic depictions of the legendary Queen's appearance. It's evident that the portrait of the Queen on ancient coins possesses rather rough features: a large neck, a hooked nose, elongated ears, and a protruding chin.
The perennial debate over the ethnicity of the Egyptian Queen is most noteworthy. In contrast to the common depiction in Hollywood films, where the character of Cleopatra is played by white European actors, in reality, the Queen is believed to have had a rather dark complexion. She even possessed many features typical of African descent, such as a voluptuous figure and curly black hair.
In 2017, the reconstructed portrait of Queen Cleopatra by the scientific community left many astonished. It turns out, the ancient Pharaoh wasn't as 'radiant' as portrayed by Hollywood. Nevertheless, she still exudes intelligence, sophistication, and the charisma of a leader.
It's no wonder that around 100 years after Cleopatra's passing, the renowned Roman historian Plutarch wrote: 'Cleopatra's beauty wasn't captivating enough to leave people in awe. However, she possessed an impressive appearance and a charming way of speaking. Her voice was sweet and melodious, reminiscent of the sound emanating from harp strings.'
Presently, the truth about the 'water-bending beauty' of Queen Cleopatra remains an open question. Modern society has attempted to reconstruct from ancient sources, yet no one can confirm with 100% certainty. Posterity can only be sure that Queen Cleopatra was alluring due to her intelligence. And it was through that intellect and cunning that she ruled and exerted the greatest influence in ancient Egypt.
Image Source: Compilation
