Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? The mystery of Cleopatra's death: did she commit suicide or was she killed in the struggle for the throne? Cleopatra was not Egyptian

According to historical accounts, Cleopatra, the last active queen of Ancient Egypt, committed suicide by holding a poisonous snake to her chest and allowing it to bite her. However, one Egyptologist now claims that although Cleopatra was said to have loved snakes so much that she slept with them, she may not have been bitten by a poisonous snake. At the same time, it is “quite certain” that the queen did commit suicide, he says. /website/

“Cleopatra is very closely associated with snakes, especially her death,” said Joyce Tilsley, a lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Manchester in England, discussing the possibility that Cleopatra died from a snake bite. - But snakes are also closely connected with all the queens and kings of Egypt, who wore a uraeus, that is, a snake, on their heads. Snakes are associated with the goddess Isis, and Cleopatra herself believed that she was the living embodiment of Isis. She most likely committed suicide, although some believe that Octavian killed her."

Cleopatra was born in 69 BC and lived and died in Alexandria. She belonged to the Macedonian-Greek royal family that ruled Egypt for more than three centuries. Cleopatra was highly educated and spoke seven languages ​​fluently. Despite the fact that there were no cases of suicide in her family, there were all kinds of cases of murder.

“The Death of Cleopatra”, painting by Benedetto Gennari, 1675. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

At the age of 18, she inherited the throne and married her 10-year-old brother, Ptolemy XIII. Although they were supposed to rule together, Cleopatra had no intention of sharing her power. But Ptolemy XIII defied Cleopatra and was found dead soon after; A similar fate awaited her other brothers and sisters at different times. Scholars believe that Cleopatra was responsible for the deaths of at least two of her five siblings.

Cleopatra was afraid that she would be accused of committing murder, so she began to seek favor with the Roman Empire. She was the mistress of Julius Caesar and bore him a son. However, after the assassination of Caesar in 44 BC, she became close to Mark Antony, who ruled Rome during the anarchy that followed Caesar's death, and who was against Caesar's rightful heir, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian (Octavian). According to historical accounts, after being defeated by Octavian's forces at Actium, Mark Antony committed suicide, and Cleopatra followed suit. After this, Octavian made Egypt a Roman province and became its first emperor, changing his name to Augustus.

“Cleopatra and Caesar”, painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1866. Photo: Public Domain

Dr Tilsley from the University of Manchester asked Andrew Gray, curator of herpetology at Manchester Museum, about the possibility of Cleopatra dying from a snakebite: “Was it easy to do? Some sources claim that she had snakes living in a basket of figs. According to other sources, she used the snake to kill not only herself, but also one or two maids. Is it possible to do this?

Dr. Gray replied that there are two types of venomous snakes in Africa - cobras and vipers. He showed the common African boa constrictor, which is not poisonous, is easily tamed, and Cleopatra really liked it. In fact, the boa constrictor he showed is called the royal python precisely because Cleopatra liked it. Sources claim that she sent servants to catch the royal pythons and filled her entire palace with them and even slept with some of them.

But, he said, it would be difficult to get a venomous cobra into the palace because it is 1.5 to 2.5 meters long. He said that in many cases of snake bites, the snake does not inject venom: “Also One thing about using venomous snakes to kill people: there is essentially no guarantee that the snake will kill them, since many snake bites are dry bites. Even with cobra bites, I would say there is only a 10 percent chance that you will die.”

Egyptian cobra. Photo: John Walker/Wikimedia Commons

“Cobras are, of course, very, very dangerous and very venomous. ... It would be a terrible death if you actually died. And it's very, very painful, because the poison they use causes the arm to almost rot. This is called tissue necrosis, where the venom actually affects the hand and it truly hurts. But this does not always cause death. It definitely won't be a quick death."

Ancient Egyptian temple relief of the goddess Isis. Pay attention to the uraeus, that is, the symbol of the snake on her head. Photo: Karen Green/Wikimedia Commons

According to Dr Tilsley, the ancient Egyptians deeply believed that snakes were protectors, and therefore kings and queens wore a uraeus on their foreheads, symbolizing the protective goddess. They also believed that snakes were good mothers, she said.

“There are very few in the snake world that have maternal instincts or paternal care for their young,” says Dr. Gray. “But one of the exceptions is the cobra, because cobras, when they lay eggs, even create almost a nest and actually sit on the nest, protecting the brood of eggs until they hatch. When they hatch, the babies crawl away. But until then, the snakes desperately protect the eggs.”

The hypothesis that Cleopatra died by snakebite has been increasingly questioned over the past decade, with recent research hinting that she may have died from a poisonous mixture of drugs. If this is so, then whether she did it herself or someone gave it to her will probably forever remain a mystery.

Everyone knows about Cleopatra, the legendary Egyptian, fatal temptress of her time, who played a prominent role in world history and in the history of world drama. Well, that is, it’s not that they “know”, but they heard it anyway. As well as the dramatic story of her last love and tragic death. As you know, in our time it has become fashionable to debunk myths, and in recent years they have been persistently trying to debunk the story of the death of Cleopatra. But first you need to figure out if there is anything to debunk...

Classic version, thanks to Plutarch
The generally accepted version of the death of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII, who lived and ruled in the 1st century BC, became the original narrative of the ancient Greek writer and historian Plutarch, picked up and embellished by later creators, including Shakespeare. So, according to this version, Cleopatra’s last amorous passion was the Roman commander and political activist Mark Antony, a former comrade-in-arms of Caesar, who aspired to power in Rome. A distant relative of Caesar, Octavian, stood in his way, in alliance with whom Mark Antony had previously defeated common enemies, the killers of Caesar. In 30 BC, the combined military forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by the troops and fleet of Octavian, who captured Egypt.

The lovers decided at all costs not to fall into the hands of the enemy and Mark Antony committed suicide after hearing the false news that Cleopatra had already committed suicide. The queen herself had to wait to carry out her plan: according to the most common version, she still hoped with her feminine charms to convince Octavian to maintain independence for Egypt, and for her the Egyptian throne. But she soon realized that she would not succeed and that she would face shameful imprisonment and being sent to Rome. Some time after this, Cleopatra and her two maids were found dead in the room. According to rumors, two tiny wounds were found on the queen’s hand, as if from a bite. From this they concluded that Cleopatra committed suicide by allowing herself to be bitten by a poisonous snake. The snake itself was not found in the room, but they decided that it could have crawled away.

Is it really another sensation?

Recently, two reports appeared in the media, each of which allegedly carried some new sensational information shedding light on the circumstances of Cleopatra's death. First of all, this is the conclusion of German scientists that the snake was not at all involved in the death of the Egyptian queen. Several arguments have been put forward against the “snake version”. Firstly, the snake itself was never discovered, although the room, judging by the memories, was quite airtight. Secondly, it is doubtful that one poisonous snake could kill three adults at once in a short time - since two maids also died along with Cleopatra. Thirdly, there are no reports of any bites on the bodies of the maids. Fourthly, the Egyptian kings of Hellenistic Egypt were very knowledgeable in poisons, so it is doubtful that Cleopatra chose death from snake venom - very painful, lasting several hours and also leaving unsightly marks on the body and face.

Scientists suggested that Cleopatra used poison and even suggested a specific option that was well known at the Egyptian royal court - a mixture of opium and aconite and hemlock plants. So, has the sensation and true cause of Cleopatra’s death really been discovered? Not at all. The fact is that even ancient authors, the same Plutarch, drew attention to the fact that the true cause of Cleopatra’s death is unknown. Among other things, a version was expressed that the queen passed away with the help of some effective and painless poison. And they even offered options for exactly how the poison was taken - from a hiding place in a hairpin or even on a hair comb. So there is no sensation in the assumption of German scientists that Cleopatra went to the next world not with the help of a snake, but with the help of poison, there is only an argument in favor of one of the versions that existed from the very moment of the queen’s death.

No motive for murder

The second contender for a sensation in the “case of Cleopatra’s death” is criminology specialist from the United States Pat Brown, who expressed what she considered a reasonable assumption that Cleopatra did not take her own life, but was killed. Brown does not provide any specific evidence in favor of this, she did not have any new historical evidence, she simply decided to follow the well-known principle of criminological inquiry - “who benefits?” And the death of Cleopatra, according to Brown, was beneficial only to Octavian, the future Roman emperor Augustus, who thereby got rid of the queen of Egypt and included this country in his possessions. So he ordered the death of Cleopatra, presenting the matter as a suicide.

Everything would be fine in Pat Brown's version if this version were based not on speculation and assumptions, but on knowledge of historical facts. And evidence suggests that Octavian was extremely interested in Cleopatra living - at least until she arrived in Rome. Octavian had already virtually captured Egypt and enlisted the support of the local nobility, who were more profitable to prosper within the powerful Roman Empire than to try to maintain their position in a turbulent independent Egypt. By that time, Octavian had already executed the illegitimate son of Caesar and Cleopatra, Caesarion, who, due to his origin, could represent real danger the power of the future Augustus in Rome.

Sources indicate that Octavian really wanted Cleopatra to become part of his triumph - that is, a solemn procession through the streets of Rome, in which his trophies as a commander would be demonstrated, and the main one - the captive famous queen of Egypt. After the triumph, Octavian could do whatever he wanted with her, but until then he needed her. All sources, without exception, say that Octavian ordered all measures to be taken so that Cleopatra could not commit suicide, and when her body was discovered, he tried in every possible way to bring her back to life - so, special people were used who knew how to suck out snake venom from wounds. Therefore, Brown’s sensational version that Cleopatra was killed is not based on anything - there was no one to kill her, the main suspect was more interested in her life and health than anyone else.

Alexander Babitsky

The legendary beauty of the ancient world, Queen Cleopatra, still excites the imagination. What is behind death itself? beautiful woman of all times and peoples - murder or suicide?

The Death of Cleopatra - a historical mystery

A famous seductress, a fatal beauty, who was familiar with both cold calculation and ardor sincere feelings, Cleopatra, has always aroused great interest among historians and cultural figures. She became the heroine of hundreds of fiction, anthologies telling about the love adventures of famous women, films and serious historical research. It is reliably known about the love affair of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, about the political intrigues of Cleopatra, but how exactly the life of the great Egyptian queen ended is unknown, despite the presence of the “official version”, the death of Cleopatra remains a mystery.

The Death of Cleopatra: The Struggle for Power

Cleopatra was a friend of the Romans, as Caesar claimed, and the result of the close friendship of the two rulers was the birth of a son, Caesarion, but after the death of Caesar, two relatives of the emperor began to struggle for power, the great-nephew Octavian Augustus and Mark Antony, who stood somewhat further on the ladder of kinship than Octavian. It didn’t take long for the contenders for power to come to an agreement, but Octavian longed for sole rule.

Mark Antony’s relationship with Cleopatra came in very handy; Octavian declared her a harlot with hands stained with blood, made an accusatory speech against Antony before the Senate and declared real war on Cleopatra. Octavian's troops marched on Egypt, and then everything happened very quickly, the defeat of the combined troops of Antony and Cleopatra, the suicide of Mark Antony and the death of Cleopatra herself.

Death of Cleopatra: versions

There is no historical information about the death of Cleopatra left by her contemporaries. The main sources telling about this tragic event are considered to be the works of the ancient Greek historians Plutarch and Dio Cassius, which appeared a century after the events described. The works of these historians contain very contradictory information about the death of the Egyptian Queen, Plutarch writes about suicide with the help of the bite of a poisonous asp snake, and Cassius mentions some kind of jug. Despite the fact that both pundits agree that Cleopatra committed suicide, at the same time there is a hint that Cleopatra was poisoned.

Death of Cleopatra: Snakebite

Cleopatra was kept in custody by order of Octavian. Hopes that Egypt would remain independent and Caesarion would become the legitimate emperor became more and more elusive. That day, a basket of fruits containing a poisonous snake is secretly delivered to the queen. Cleopatra writes a suicide letter and asks to give it to Octavian. The guard was absent for a few minutes, but upon his return he finds the dead Cleopatra and her two maids, who were fighting in their death throes. Two small marks on the queen's hand suggested that Cleopatra committed suicide by simply allowing herself to be bitten by a snake. No snake was found in or near the queen’s chambers.

Death of Cleopatra: poison

Some historians believe that Cleopatra, who showed manic concern for her beauty, would hardly want to look unattractive after her death. The Egyptian queen understood perfectly well that a snake bite causes agony, suffocation and painful death and would hardly have done such a thing. If suicide did take place, Cleopatra’s death could have occurred as a result of poisoning. A lethal dose of poison hidden in a comb or ring “as a last resort” was the most common thing at that time.

According to one version, Cleopatra took poison hidden in a hollow hair comb, and it was a mixture of hemlock, opium and aconite. This hypothesis also does not look particularly convincing, since a comb or any other decoration would not contain enough poison to kill three healthy women. The question, as they say, remains open, although the version with snakes and poison looks quite romantic and still inspires writers and artists.

Death of Cleopatra: murder?

There were no reasons for Cleopatra’s natural death, she was completely healthy, the version of suicide does not look very convincing, what then remains? Murder? Scientists do not discount this version, since the living Cleopatra, known for her determination and desire for power, could prevent Octavian Augustus from fully enjoying his power. And Cleopatra’s demands to recognize Caesarion as the legal heir also did not bode well. No matter how strong a political figure Cleopatra was, historians at that time do not see anyone to whom this woman could “annoy” so much, except Octavian. And here the question arises again? How did they kill? Poisoned? Where then did the wounds on Cleopatra’s hand come from? The investigation, as they say, has reached a dead end.

Death of Cleopatra: speculation

The idea that Cleopatra died a violent death and that the “customer” of the murder was none other than Octavian came to the mind of Pat Brown (apparently, the surname Brown is somehow strangely connected with revelations and sensations), a well-known female criminologist from the USA. The version, unlike the others, but theoretically possible, actually has no historical evidence, and Brown, expressing such an opinion, relied solely on her own conclusions. Also in favor of the version of a contract killing, some historians cite the fact that Cleopatra never gave up, and in the Ptolemaic family there were anyone, intriguers, murderers, participants in incest, but there were never suicides.

Death of Cleopatra: the role of Octavian

Exist historical evidence that Octavian did not need Cleopatra's death. Having dealt with Mark Antony, Octavian saw Cleopatra as his main trophy. They said that he wanted to lead her chained through the city, celebrating his Egyptian triumph, but the parliamentarians sent to Cleopatra with Octavian’s conditions did not talk about anything like that, but promised her the emperor’s merciful attitude and even the opportunity to consider the rights of her heirs.

Octavian's triumph would not have been complete without Cleopatra's participation in it, after that anything could have happened, but until that moment she had to remain alive. Having learned about the death of Cleopatra, Octavian tried to do everything to make her heart beat again. They tried to suck out the poison from the wounds, tried other means known at that time, but everything was in vain.

The Death of Cleopatra: The Tomb

The death of Cleopatra is as ambiguous as the Egyptian ruler herself was multifaceted. In her homeland, she was known as the living embodiment of a goddess, for the Greeks - a liberator, for the Romans - a libertine, but at the same time a brilliant politician, scientist and loving mother.

The tomb of Cleopatra is another mystery associated with the name of the Egyptian queen. Where it is is still not known with certainty, but a recent discovery by Greek scientists off the coast of Alexandria suggests that the tomb of Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony is located in a complex system of underground tunnels under the temple of Taposiris Magna. During the excavations, an alabaster mask of Mark Antony and coins with the image of Cleopatra were found; scientists really hope that the excavations will help them get closer to solving the mystery of Cleopatra’s death.

chuchotezvous.ru

Name Cleopatra shrouded in mysteries: it is often said about her lovers that they paid with their lives for possessing her for one night, legends are made about her beauty, and her dramatic suicide still excites the minds of both romantics and historians. By the way, the passing of the last queen of Hellenistic Egypt is a controversial issue. Scientists still doubt whether it really happened suicide?

Cleopatra was born in 69 BC, and spent her entire life in Alexandria. For more than three centuries, her family ruled Egypt. Cleopatra had an excellent education and spoke seven languages. Amazingly, there were no cases of suicide among her ancestors, but there were plenty of violent deaths. Perhaps it was this fact that made historians doubt the queen’s voluntary death.

The last queen of Egypt from the Ptolemaic dynasty could hardly have died from a snake bite, says a researcher from the Manchester Museum.

Queen Cleopatra VII Philopatra, famous mainly for her beauty and dramatic love story for the Roman commander Mark Antony, could not die from a snake bite. So says Andrew Gray, head of the herpetology department at the Manchester Museum (herpetology is a branch of zoology that studies amphibians and reptiles).

The version that Cleopatra died from a snake bite is given by Plutarch. According to him, Cleopatra, who survived the capture of Alexandria, did not want to become the main trophy at the triumph of Emperor Octavian in Rome. The queen was carefully guarded so that she could not commit suicide. But according to one version, a snake was carried into her chambers.

Plutarch says: “A peasant came to the door with a basket. The guards asked what he was carrying. Opening the basket and parting the leaves, he revealed a pot full of ripe figs. The soldiers were amazed at how large and beautiful they were, and the peasant, smiling, offered them a taste. Then they let him through, casting aside all suspicions.”

A snake was allegedly hidden in the basket. “They say that the asp was brought along with the figs, hidden under the berries and leaves, so that it would sting the queen unexpectedly,” she herself ordered. But, having taken out some of the berries, Cleopatra noticed the snake and said: “So that’s where it was...” - she exposed her hand and exposed it to the bite. Others report that the snake was kept in a closed water vessel and Cleopatra lured and teased it for a long time with a golden spindle until it crawled out and bit into her arm above the elbow. However, no one knows the truth,” says Plutarch. Two of the queen's maids died in the same way.

He notes that information about Cleopatra's death is contradictory. Someone claimed to have seen a snake track under the windows, someone talked about bite marks on the queen’s hand. Others wrote that “not a single spot appeared on the body, and no signs of poisoning were found at all,” and Cleopatra hid the poison in a hollow headpin, which was constantly in her hair (Plutarch, Antony. 84-86. Translation by S. P. Markisha).

Andrew Gray expresses doubts that the snake could actually be hidden in a basket or water container. The venomous Egyptian snakes - cobras and vipers - are too big to go unnoticed. The usual size of such snakes is 1.5-1.8 meters, but they can grow up to 2.4 meters.

Judging by Plutarch's report, Cleopatra and her maids died very quickly. However, Andrew Gray notes that for the snake to kill three people, it had too little time: the snake's venom kills a person slowly. In addition, the risk of dying from the poison is small. “Cobras are not only too big, but the chance of dying from their venom is about 10%... This does not mean that they are not dangerous: the venom causes necrosis, and it will certainly lead to death, but very slowly,” says the researcher.

“So using one snake to kill two or three people in quick succession was impossible. Snakes use venom for self-defense and hunting, so they save it and use it when necessary,” concluded Andrew Gray.

Perhaps the legend of death by snake was fueled by the fact that Cleopatra, like many ancient Egyptian kings and queens, was associated with snakes. In addition, Cleopatra was considered an incarnation of the goddess Isis, who could take the form of a snake.

“She was so depraved that she often prostituted herself, and had such beauty that many men paid with their death for the possession of her for one night,” was the description of Cleopatra by the Roman scholar of the 4th century AD, Aurelius Victor, based on earlier texts. It is on this that all later authors rely. One problem - Cleopatra lived, loved and reigned three hundred years before Victor was born.