---
title: Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture
author: Branko van Oppen
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11730/cleopatra-in-ancient-portraiture/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture

_Authored by [Branko van Oppen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bvoppen/)_

## Image File

[![Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11730.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11730.jpg)

## Image Caption

Ancient portraits of [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) depict her assertive, but certainly not unattractive features. The wide royal headband (diadēma) and traditional wavy coiffure express her sovereignty based on her Lagid descent. [Silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) tetradrachm struck in Ascalon, [Phoenicia](https://www.worldhistory.org/phoenicia/), with the diademed portrait of Queen Cleopatra (British Museum, London, reg.no. 1875,1102.3; seal impression with a similar portrait, Edfu, Upper [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) (Allard Pierson Museum inv.no. 8177.056); sculptural portrait attributed to Cleopatra (Altes Museum, Antikensammlung Berlin, inv.no. 1976.10); background relief scene depicting Cleopatra and her son [Ptolemy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemy/) [Caesarion](https://www.worldhistory.org/caesarion/) before the gods of Dendera, Upper Egypt.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Branko van Oppen is an exhibition curator and independent scholar specialized in Ptolemaic queenship as well as Hellenistic art and ideology.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/bf.vanoppen)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvoppen/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Oppen, B. v. (2020, February 15). Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11730/cleopatra-in-ancient-portraiture/>
### Chicago
Oppen, Branko van. "Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 15, 2020. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11730/cleopatra-in-ancient-portraiture/>.
### MLA
Oppen, Branko van. "Cleopatra in Ancient Portraiture." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Feb 2020, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11730/cleopatra-in-ancient-portraiture/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Branko van Oppen](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/bvoppen/ "User Page: Branko van Oppen"), published on 15 February 2020. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.