Roman Propaganda Continues to Distort Cleopatra’s Legacy

Roman propaganda depicting Cleopatra VII as a seductress who manipulated powerful men continues to taint the historical understanding of the last ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, scholars argue as a major new exhibition about her opens in London.

The British Museum’s exhibition, “Cleopatra and the Embers of Empire,” attempts to cut through centuries of misrepresentation to reveal a more authentic portrait of the ancient queen. According to Dr. Catherine Spencer, lead curator of the exhibition, much of what we think we know about Cleopatra comes from Roman sources with clear political motivations.

“Octavian—later Emperor Augustus—needed to justify his war against Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen. The easiest way to do this was to portray Cleopatra as a foreign seductress who had bewitched a Roman leader,” Spencer explained during a press preview yesterday. “This characterization was pure propaganda, yet it has persisted for over two millennia.”

Historical records indicate that Cleopatra was actually a shrewd political leader and skilled diplomat who spoke multiple languages and carefully managed Egypt’s relationships with Rome during a period of expanding imperial power. She ruled Egypt for 21 years, maintaining independence far longer than might have been expected against the Roman juggernaut.

The exhibition features over 200 artifacts, including recently discovered coins minted during Cleopatra’s reign that depict her as a powerful monarch rather than the exotic temptress of Roman accounts. Notably absent are contemporary portraits of the queen; most were destroyed after her death on Octavian’s orders.

Professor James Whitaker of Oxford University, who consulted on the exhibition, points to the enduring nature of effective propaganda. “What Octavian achieved was remarkable—his version of Cleopatra has dominated Western culture for centuries, appearing in everything from Shakespeare to Hollywood films,” he said.

The portrayal of Cleopatra in popular culture has consistently emphasized her alleged sexual relationships rather than her political acumen. Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic performance in the 1963 film “Cleopatra” reinforced the image of a queen defined by her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.

“We have to remember that Cleopatra was fighting for her kingdom’s survival,” said Dr. Amina Ibrahim, historian specializing in Ptolemaic Egypt. “Her alliances with Caesar and later Antony were strategic diplomatic moves, not simply romantic entanglements. She was a Hellenistic queen operating within the political realities of her time.”

The exhibition also explores how Roman propaganda about Cleopatra influenced later European colonial attitudes toward Egypt and the broader Middle East. Nineteenth-century European artists frequently depicted Cleopatra in orientalist fantasies that bore little resemblance to historical reality but reinforced colonial narratives about “exotic” Eastern cultures.

Recent archaeological discoveries have helped scholars piece together a more accurate picture of Cleopatra’s reign. Underwater excavations near Alexandria have uncovered remnants of the royal quarter where she likely lived, while documentary evidence suggests she was deeply involved in Egyptian religious traditions, presenting herself as the living embodiment of the goddess Isis to her subjects.

“The real Cleopatra was a complex figure—a Greek-speaking ruler of Egyptian, possibly mixed heritage, who navigated treacherous political waters with skill,” said Dr. Spencer. “She was ultimately unsuccessful against Rome, but her political legacy deserves to be separated from the Roman smear campaign.”

Visitors to the exhibition will see evidence of Cleopatra’s building projects, economic reforms, and diplomatic initiatives—all pointing to a ruler focused on strengthening her kingdom rather than the self-indulgent figure of Roman accounts.

The museum acknowledges that recovering the “real” Cleopatra remains challenging due to the systematic destruction of her legacy after her death in 30 BCE. However, by highlighting the political context in which her story was shaped, the exhibition aims to encourage visitors to question the narratives they’ve inherited.

“Cleopatra and the Embers of Empire” runs until September and includes interactive displays exploring how historical propaganda continues to shape contemporary understandings of powerful women in politics.