---
title: Cleopatra's Portraiture
author: Branko van Oppen
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11732/cleopatras-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's Portraiture

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

## Image File

[![Cleopatra's Portraiture](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11732.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/11732.jpg)

## Image Caption

[Coin](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) portraits in particular show how [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) wanted to be presented. Though varied in their facial features, her portraits emphasize her position of power as Ptolemaic queen. Sculptural portrait attributed to Cleopatra (Gregorian Profane Museum, Vatican Museums, [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), inv.no. 38511; CC BY-SA 4.0); [Silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) denarius with the diademed portrait of Cleopatra “Queen of Kings, and Sons of Kings” (Numismatica Ars Classica 106, 9-10 May 2018, lot 524); [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) 80-drachmae, struck in [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/) (Triton V, 15 Jan 2002, lot 574); 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](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) (mirrored).

#### 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's Portraiture. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11732/cleopatras-portraiture/>
### Chicago
Oppen, Branko van. "Cleopatra's Portraiture." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 15, 2020. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11732/cleopatras-portraiture/>.
### MLA
Oppen, Branko van. "Cleopatra's Portraiture." *World History Encyclopedia*, 15 Feb 2020, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/11732/cleopatras-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.