---
title: Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid
author: Unknown Artist
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8287/mural-of-cleopatra-and-caesarion-as-venus-and-cupi/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid

_Authored by Unknown Artist_

## Image File

[![Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8287.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/8287.jpg)

## Image Caption

This mid-1st Century BCE mural portrays a statue of [Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/) and the infant Cupid in the [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of Venus Genitrix, [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). The statue has been identified as the infamous gilded statue of [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/) as Venus that [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) unveiled during the temple's dedication in 46 BCE. The depiction of [Caesarion](https://www.worldhistory.org/caesarion/), [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/)’s son by [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/), would have been controversial following Cleopatra's defeat by [Octavian](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) at the [Battle of Actium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Actium/) in 31 BCE. Although Octavian spared Cleopatra's statues, Caesarion remained a delicate subject, which explains why the owner hid the mural behind a brick [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/). (The House of Marcus Fabius Rufius, [Pompeii](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompeii/))

## Cite This Work

### APA
Artist, U. (2018, March 14). Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8287/mural-of-cleopatra-and-caesarion-as-venus-and-cupi/>
### Chicago
Artist, Unknown. "Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 14, 2018. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8287/mural-of-cleopatra-and-caesarion-as-venus-and-cupi/>.
### MLA
Artist, Unknown. "Mural of Cleopatra and Caesarion as Venus and Cupid." *World History Encyclopedia*, 14 Mar 2018, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/8287/mural-of-cleopatra-and-caesarion-as-venus-and-cupi/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_and_Cupid_from_the_House_of_Marcus_Fabius_Rufus_at_Pompeii,_most_likely_a_depiction_of_Cleopatra_VII.jpg) by [**Unknown Artist**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_and_Cupid_from_the_House_of_Marcus_Fabius_Rufus_at_Pompeii,_most_likely_a_depiction_of_Cleopatra_VII.jpg). Submitted by [Arienne King](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ava.spartan.117/ "User Page: Arienne King"), published on 14 March 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.