---
title: Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)
author: Arienne King
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17227/cleopatra-vii-artistic-facial-reconstruction/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-03-27
---

# Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)

_Authored by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/)_

## Image File

[![Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17227.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17227.png)

## Image Caption

Facial reconstruction of the Ptolemaic [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) queen [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/) (r. 51-30 BCE). This artistic representation of [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) is primarily based on a bust from the Berlin Altes Museum, widely agreed to depict Cleopatra. In addition to the Berlin portrait, the features in this reconstruction are based upon contemporary [coin](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) portraits and a bust from the British Museum which may depict Cleopatra.

In those portraits and this reconstruction, Cleopatra wears a Macedonian cloth diadem which was traditionally worn by [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) monarchs. Cleopatra's hair colour is unknown; she was of primarily Macedonian [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) descent, and two frescoes, one of a red-headed queen and another of a dark-haired [Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/), have been suggested to represent her. The earring depicted is based on 1st-century BCE Ptolemaic jewelry from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

#### 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

Arienne King is a writer and historical consultant specializing in Ptolemaic Egypt and classical antiquity. She has written for publications such as BBC's HistoryExtra and Ancient History Magazine.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arienne-king-430418180)

## Cite This Work

### APA
King, A. (2023, March 27). Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction). *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17227/cleopatra-vii-artistic-facial-reconstruction/>
### Chicago
King, Arienne. "Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 27, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17227/cleopatra-vii-artistic-facial-reconstruction/>.
### MLA
King, Arienne. "Cleopatra VII (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Mar 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17227/cleopatra-vii-artistic-facial-reconstruction/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 27 March 2023. 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.