Statue of Cleopatra VII
Image by Tiffany Silva
This statue is very rare. It is one of seven in the world identified as the most famous queen of Egypt: Cleopatra VII. Cleopatra VII was born in Macedonian family called the Ptolemies, who were famous for their vicious infighting. Matricide, patricide and fratricide were common in many generations, including Cleopatra VII’s. She had several relatives killed so she might survive.
For generations the Romans coveted Egypt, a bountiful sours of grain they could use to feed their army. They used the fighting in Cleopatra’s family as an excuse to send an envoy to Egypt: Julius Caesar. The Romans expected Caesar to choose someone who would be friendly towards the Roman Empire to be Egypt’s new pharaoh. However, Julius Caesar was charmed by Cleopatra’s wit and intelligence and brought her back to Rome as his lover. He supported Cleopatra as she struggled against her sister Arsinoe for the throne of Egypt.
Unfortunately Caesar was murdered on the Senate steps, and Cleopatra fled back to Egypt. The next envoy to Egypt was Mark Anthony, a friend of Caesar’s. Anthony also fell in love with Cleopatra, and together they fought against Rome until they were defeated and Cleopatra was captured. She committed suicide, probably so she could not be dragged through the Roman streets in shame. Many of Cleopatra’s statues were destroyed by the Romans after she died.
Her pose is classic Egyptian, probably meant to remind the Romans that her family had ruled Egypt as pharaohs for three centuries. However, her face is done in Greco-Roman style. The triple uraeus (snake) symbol on her brow is rare and helped to identify this statue as Cleopatra VII. This statue was broken below the ankles, and the feet were later "restored" using another material. At the rear of the statue is a support called a plinth. S strip in the center of the plinth would have held names and titles, but this area has been filled in.
c. 30 BCE
My aside – I did not know Cleopatra’s Mummy [I am not sure if it is Cleopatra VII] is in the British Museum. A little more research on my part and I am certain the mummy in the British Museum is not Cleopatra VII:
– Cleopatra VII was:
– The Daughter of Ptolemy XII Auletes (117- 51 BCE) , probably by Cleopatra V Tryphaena (ca 70-69 BCE)
-Succeeded her father Ptolemy XII with her brother Ptolemy XIII in 51 BCE
– Was expelled from Egypt in mid 48 BCE.
– Restored to power in August 48 BCE by Julius Caesar. With her brother Ptolemy XIV as co-ruler.
-Associated as senior ruler with her son Ptolemy XV probably 4 th September 44 BCE
– Died in 30 BCE
Here is what the plaque in the British Museum reads:
Cleopatra: the mummy of a young woman
The mummy and coffin of Cleopatra, daughter of Candace, from the Soter family burial, entered the British Museum in 1823 via the first collection of Henry Salt. The mummy is wrapped in many layers of cloth, with an outer shroud on which is painted a figure of the deceased woman. A comb and necklace of beads were placed on the body inside the wooden coffin. The hieroglyphic inscription on the coffin gives Cleopatra’s age at death, for which a reading of 17 years, 1 month and 25 days has been proposed. X-ray studies using a CAT scanner show skeletal development and a fusion of the ends of the long bones which is consistent with this age.
The skeleton appears to be in good condition. The skull is tilted forward and the mouth is open. There are at least three packages in the right chest cavity, possibly the preserved internal organs. An object, about 9cm long, in the left chest cavity may be a roll of linen or a figurine. CAT scans also revealed the use of packing materials (probably mud or sand), which contribute to the substantial weight (about 75kg) of this mummy.
Pictures can be found here: www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=cleopatra+mummy&m=…
