What was the cause of Cleopatra’s death?
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Cleopatra VII Philopator, last ruler of the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty, died in Alexandria in August 30 BC, aged 39. The precise cause of her death remains a subject of debate among historians, due to varied and sometimes contradictory ancient accounts.
After Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated by Octavian’s forces at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, the couple fled to Egypt. In 30 BC, Octavian invaded Egypt and seized Alexandria. Faced with Octavian’s inevitable victory, and to avoid the humiliation of being displayed as a trophy at a Roman triumph, Cleopatra chose to end her life.
According to popular tradition, Cleopatra committed suicide by being bitten by an asp, identified as an Egyptian cobra. Plutarch recounts that a basket of figs containing the snake was brought to the queen, which then provoked the fatal bite.
Other accounts, notably those of Plutarch and Dion Cassius, suggest that Cleopatra used a hairpin to inoculate herself with a lethal poison. This method would have enabled a more discreet and controlled death.
Finally, Strabo, a contemporary geographer of Cleopatra, mentions the possibility that she ingested poison, although this version is less detailed.
Modern historians question the veracity of these accounts. Some point to the logistical difficulties involved in introducing a cobra into the queen’s apartments and controlling its bite. What’s more, the toxicity of cobra venom generally results in a slow death, which contrasts with ancient descriptions of a quick death. Other researchers suggest that Cleopatra was murdered on Octavian’s orders, although there is little evidence to support this hypothesis.
Cleopatra’s death marked the end of Egypt’s independence, as it became a Roman province under the direct control of Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus. Her death also marked the end of the Hellenistic era, initiated by the conquests of Alexander the Great. Cleopatra remains an emblematic figure in history, symbolizing power, seduction and tragedy.
Although ancient accounts differ on the exact circumstances of Cleopatra’s death, it is generally accepted that she chose to commit suicide to escape humiliation and preserve her royal dignity. The different versions, whether of snakebite or poison, reflect the mysteries that still surround the end of this legendary queen.
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What was the cause of Cleopatra's death?
Answer
Cleopatra VII, Egypt's last queen, died in Alexandria in August 30 BC, probably from an asp bite or poisoning.