Just How Beautiful Was Queen Cleopatra?

Cleopatra VII Philopator was Queen of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Kingdom from 51 BC to 20 BC. But most of us know her name because of the tales about her beauty. Her relationship with men like Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony lends credence to her reportedly ethereal looks. So, it’s no wonder how paintings, statues, and books harp on her appearance.

In reality, Cleopatra came from a line of Ptolemies who were known for incest. As a result, members of the family looked odd. While Cleopatra was good-looking compared to her family members, she didn’t possess the supernatural beauty legend says she did. Instead, her wit, education and personality stood out.