Historical figures are significant components to the way history has been transcribed amongst the years and have embedded a specific interpretation to historical events. From the beginning, history marks an understanding of the past thus automatically letting people understand their present. Historical figures have allowed people to analyse who was in power and why, thus allowing the understanding of what people look for within in a leader. One important female ruler in history is Cleopatra. Cleopatra was a prominent figure in Egypt and all over the world during 69 BC- 30BC (BBC, 2014). Her power, beauty, and personality impacted everyone making her one of the most important rulers and individuals. Cleopatra has been manipulated throughout generations, thus re-defining her as Queen and as a person. She is often falsely viewed for specific actions she made with Caesar and Antony. Hence, is given the image of a sexual woman and not viewing her for her genuine character. Looking for the ‘Real Cleopatra’ is essential as to better understand her role in history, being the Queen of Egypt, rather than objectifying her for her beauty and sensuality.
Cleopatra is known as the “Last ruler of Ptolemaic Dynasty, ruling from 51 BC-30 BC” (BBC, 2014). She was a unique and independent ruler much different to previous Egyptian leader. She became co-regent with her 10year old brother, Ptolemy, after her father passed away in 51 B.C. (BBC, 2014). She came from Greek descent, since Alexandria was once ruled by Alexander the Great. This however, did not stop her from learning the Egyptian language. Cleopatra was a beautiful woman and along with her beauty, she was very intelligent. From the beginning Cleopatra wanted to be a solo sovereign thus tried to find a way to overthrow her brother and her husband at the time. She kept to the Egyptian tradition as her father requested, hence being married to her brother. Through her ambition of taking the thrown she met Caesar who took up residency in Alexandria. The Roman empire was economically interested in Egypt (Crawford, 2007). They had planned to execute Ptolemy and insisted that Cleopatra and Ptolemy release their armies. Cleopatra understood Caesars importance and power and had a goal to seduce him. However, the scene of Cleopatra “tumbling out of an unfurled carpet” is dramatized to a great extent (Crawford, 2007). She did accomplish to persuade Caesar to place her in power with her brother, as by that time they had become lovers. Cleopatra’s brother felt betrayed after seeing her affair with Caesar thus leaving Egypt. (Hill, 2011). Therefore, Cleopatra became the Queen of Egypt. The Romans disliked her relations with Caesar. They had one child named Caesarian. After Caesar’s assassination Cleopatra returned to Egypt with her son. She then met Antony, where he fell in love with her for her alluring character and her influential power. Cleopatra did view herself as a divine ruler and person. She was a different queen compared to the previous rulers. She influenced Egypt and the world in many different ways. As a Queen Cleopatra cared for her people. She took the time to actually learn the Egyptian language as to become closer to her citizens. She used the traditional Egyptian art style for herself portraits, showing her devotion to her country. Her people classified her as “She who loves her country” (Crawford, 2007). Her citizens looked up to her and loved her. Cleopatra was interested in maintaining Egypt’s independence from the Roman empire. She was an intelligent woman and an astute politician. Cleopatra helped improve Egypt maintaining the sources, making it a wealthier and more powerful country. She allied with the Roman empire as to enrich Egypt yet maintained their independence. Rome also benefited from Egypt’s resources. Cleopatra was pampered by both her men, Caesar and Antony. As a leader, she sought out for the best interest for Egypt. Cleopatra not only impacted Egypt but also the whole world from fashion, beauty, art, literature to political arrangements.
A female ruler who lived during a male dominated period encountered various conflicts. Cleopatra was unacknowledged for her intelligence by the Romans and even modern interpretations of her. She was not presented as a daughter, wife, and mother rather was an “artificial symbol” (Roller, 2010). She was viewed more as a “sex symbol.” Cleopatra is one of the most misinterpreted rulers. The romans disliked her for her affairs with two powerful figures in Roma, Caesar and Antony. She was called “A crazy queen…plotting to demolish the capital and topple the (Roman) Empire” by the poet Horace (Crawford, 2007). Additionally, another Roman poet named Lucan classified her as “the shame of Egypt, the lascivious fury who was to become the bane of Rome” (Crawford, 2007). The romans viewed her in this way as she seduced the two men of Rome. However, she was a person with emotions and did in fact love Antony and cared for her country. Instead of viewing her as a sly woman, she should be viewed as a clever one. Her intentions of seducing the men were all for her country. She delayed the process of the Romans conquering Egypt which “was something that was threatening throughout her reign” (Tyldesley, 2008). She was rather an inspirational leader as she took Egypt from her father’s hands, which was in poor condition and strengthened it making it one of the most powerful nations after her death. She was a well-educated woman, an “intellectual equal to the men in her circle” (Eubanks, 2010). Her misinterpretation started by the Romans. Their hatred towards her destroyed her reputation and disregarded her intelligence, thus, even till this day, she is viewed for her beauty rather than her ability to rule. The Romans presented her as a woman “with reckless ambitions” (Eubanks, 2010). Hollywood overdramatized Cleopatra as a symbol of beauty and sex. People started to aspire to be like Cleopatra, not for her independence as a woman or her authority, but rather for her physical attributes. Through movies the perspective the directors emanate of her does not show the ‘real Cleopatra’ rather show the false illusion of her. In Shakespeare’s play “The Tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra” he is able to portray Cleopatra as a powerful female character. His main focus is not on her beauty, although it is one of her main attributes. However, he disregarded the Roman belief and presented Cleopatra as a strong, charismatic, and determined character. Hence, indicating that not all perceptions of her were exaggerated. Hollywood wanted to make her a symbol of sex as to start a new fashion statement. It was all a way to create a new scene, a new trend as to give the people what they wanted rather than the historically correct facts. Instead of presenting her astuteness as a ruler they objectified her for her looks. She was a smart leader as she manipulated the Egyptian religion to be viewed as the Goddess Isis, thus not being disobeyed by her people. She used the Egyptian religion to make her more loved by her civilization (Tyldesley, 2008). She was always presented as a fantasy because she was odd and unique yet she constructed the image of the ideal woman in power.
A female leader was often not seen in history. The perception of women is often viewed as less than men hence having such a powerful female role in history, such as Cleopatra, is an important factor. Cleopatra is an inspirational female leader as she set the boundaries for how woman should be. They should lead a life of confidence and power as to be equal with men, yet use their feminine side to achieve more for themselves. She went against all stereotypical characteristics for women. Instead she created new standards. She enabled female power through the feminine charisma. Using her female attributes to her advantage she made Egypt a more powerful and beautiful nation. However, she was falsely viewed by men, specifically Romans. Thus, making her out to seem as a selfish person. Till this day women are not viewed for their ability to have an authoritative character. There are many countries that have yet to experience a female in power during the 21st century. The United Kingdom has advanced in that sense, having a female prime minister. However, sexism is still experienced in the world. Sexism is defined as “discrimination and devaluation based on a person’s gender” (Random House, 2017). Cleopatra was not viewed for her true self as she was objectified. She was falsely perceived as a woman of sex rather than a woman of power. Woman till this day are often viewed as objects of sex thus not viewing them for their true, powerful selves. In the poem titled “Beautiful” by Carol Ann Duffy she captures the true way powerful female role models are perceived by a male dominated society. In her specific verse about Cleopatra she explains how Cleopatra is sexualized and is viewed as a symbol of sex. She writes “She let her shawl slip down to show, her shoulders, breasts, and every man that night saw them again and prayed her name.” meaning that Cleopatra mainly tried to seduce men. Duffy presents the men view women through her powerful metaphors and imagery she enraptures that men view women as a fantasy. An illusion of sex, an object rather than a person. Cleopatra and many more female leaders were perceived this way thus not allowing people to see the true characters of a woman.
Viewing something for what it truly is, is important as to receive accurate information. Looking at the ‘Real Cleopatra’ is imperative as understand historical events and historical figures to a better extent. Cleopatra was a woman who was in love and tragically died after finding out Antony passed on. She captivated many people, making her a famous individual in the world. Cleopatra was a strong independent woman, yet craved affection. She was a human with natural desires. She loved and cared for her people, her kids, and Antony. Looking at the ‘Real Cleopatra’ provides a different and genuine perspective of her as a Queen. She had ambitions for Egypt and succeed to make Egypt a powerful and prominent nation. She held the country together and improved it after it was passed on to her by her father. Cleopatra, the Queen proved to be just as powerful as any other male leader, and possibly more. She was an independent ruler with an energetic spirit one that will always be commemorated in history.