Recent archaeological discoveries and scholarly research are shedding new light on the reign of Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. These findings, which include a bronze bust and a decoded papyrus, offer fresh insights into Cleopatra’s Italian heritage, her economic power, and her strategic alliances, potentially rewriting the narrative of her rule.
Rediscovery of the Bust in Rome
In 2022, Italian archaeologists unearthed a 1st-century BC bronze bust during an excavation on Rome’s Palatine Hill. The bust, measuring 20 cm in height, bears striking facial features, including a prominent nose and full lips. These features align closely with depictions of Cleopatra on coins minted in Alexandria during her reign from 51–30 BC. The bust’s inscription references Mark Antony as a “donor to Rome” in 40 BC, suggesting that it was a diplomatic gift, possibly from Cleopatra herself.
This discovery not only strengthens the ties between Cleopatra and Rome but also provides a tangible link to her Italian heritage. The bust’s features, coupled with its inscription, suggest that Cleopatra’s alliances with Rome, particularly with Mark Antony, were more significant than previously thought.
Papyrus Findings from Oxyrhynchus
A year after the discovery of the bust, a team of papyrologists from Oxford University decoded a 2nd-century AD papyrus fragment from Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. The fragment, originally dated to 33 BC, contains a text that reads, “Cleopatra VII ordered the allocation of 10,000 talents from the royal treasury for shipbuilding at Actium.” This papyrus, part of the vast Oxyrhynchus Papyri collection, offers a glimpse into Cleopatra’s direct involvement in the preparations for the naval battle at Actium.
The text not only confirms Cleopatra’s strategic role in the battle but also underscores her economic power. The allocation of 10,000 talents, equivalent to Egypt’s annual grain revenue in 30 BC, suggests that Cleopatra had significant control over Egypt’s finances and was not merely a figurehead reliant on her advisors.
Implications for Cleopatra’s Economic Power
The papyrus from Oxyrhynchus challenges traditional views of Cleopatra as a puppet queen, controlled by her Ptolemaic advisors. Instead, it presents her as a powerful ruler who personally funded the construction of 500 warships for the Battle of Actium. This act of strategic financing aligns with historical accounts of Mark Antony’s donations of Egyptian territories to Cleopatra in 37 BC, further solidifying her economic power.
The figure of 10,000 talents, as mentioned in the papyrus, is a testament to Cleopatra’s wealth. According to ancient historian Strabo’s accounts, this amount was equivalent to Egypt’s annual grain revenue in 30 BC, underscoring the enormity of Cleopatra’s personal treasury.
Reassessing Cleopatra’s Roman Connections
The bronze bust discovered in Rome may have served as a propaganda tool during Cleopatra’s 41 BC visit to Rome, where she was hosted by Mark Antony and Octavian. The bust’s stylistic similarities to Roman imperial portraits of the era suggest that Italian sculptors may have influenced Ptolemaic art following Cleopatra’s alliance with Rome in 40 BC. This influence is further evidenced by Cicero’s letters, which criticized Cleopatra’s presence in Rome in 44 BC.
These findings suggest that Cleopatra’s connections with Rome were not merely political but also cultural, influencing the art and aesthetics of her reign. The bust, with its Roman stylistic influences and inscription referencing Mark Antony, serves as a testament to these connections.
Challenges to Traditional Narratives
The newly decoded papyrus and the bronze bust challenge traditional narratives of Cleopatra. Contrary to Octavian’s propaganda portraying Cleopatra as a foreign seductress, the papyrus reveals her as a strategic financier. As Dr. Maria Nilsson stated, “This evidence positions Cleopatra as Egypt’s chief executive, not a puppet queen.”
Furthermore, the bust’s Macedonian-Greek features align with Cleopatra’s Ptolemaic lineage, refuting Roman biases that often portrayed her in a negative light. These findings challenge long-held views and offer a more nuanced understanding of Cleopatra’s reign.
Future Research Directions
These discoveries open up new avenues for research. Further analysis of the Oxyrhynchus collection could reveal additional documents from 33 BC that shed light on Cleopatra’s administration. Comparative studies between the Rome bust and artifacts from Alexandria’s royal quarter, submerged since 365 AD, could provide further insights into Cleopatra’s reign.
Archaeologists are also calling for underwater excavations off Egypt’s coast to locate Cleopatra’s lost tomb near her 30 BC suicide site. Such discoveries could offer invaluable insights into one of history’s most enigmatic figures, further challenging and enriching our understanding of Cleopatra’s reign.
More from MorningOverview