Accepted historical accounts claim that Cleopatra, the last active pharaoh of ancient Egypt, committed suicide. Cleopatra assumed the throne of Egypt after the demise of Alexander the Great during the Hellenistic period, but facing capture and humiliation at the hands of Octavian after the Battle of Actium, it has been recorded that held a snake to her body and allowed it to bite her, killing her with its poisonous venom. Memories of Cleopatra’s life have vanished as monuments and palaces have fallen to ruins over the millennia. But the question still remains: did she really commit suicide, or was there something more sinister involved?
Born in 69 BC, Cleopatra lived and perished in Alexandria. Hailing from the Macedonian Greek dynasty, her lineage reigned over Egypt for over three centuries. Cleopatra received a comprehensive education. Fluent in seven languages, she excelled in politics, literature, and philosophy. Her sharp intellect and astute mind were instrumental in her strategic abilities and diplomatic skills, and she has even been described as one of the great intellectuals of her era.
While there is no history of suicide within Cleopatra’s family , there was a great deal of violence and murder. Cleopatra’s fiery and strong-willed nature raises doubts about the story of her surrendering and taking her own life. Her tenacity and determination cast a shadow of uncertainty on the notion of her demise by self-inflicted means.
Read more: Ancient Origins
