Roman Propaganda Continues to Distort Cleopatra’s Legacy, Study Finds

Roman propaganda continues to distort our understanding of one of history’s most formidable female rulers, according to historians who argue that Cleopatra VII’s true legacy remains buried beneath centuries of calculated character assassination.

Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt from 51 BCE until her death in 30 BCE, has long been portrayed in Western culture as a seductress who used her feminine wiles to manipulate powerful Roman men. This characterization, experts say, stems directly from a deliberate smear campaign orchestrated by Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) following his victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE.

“The Cleopatra we think we know is largely a Roman invention,” explains Dr. Sarah Reynolds, professor of ancient Mediterranean history at Oxford University. “Octavian needed to justify his war against Antony and the annexation of Egypt, so he portrayed Cleopatra as a foreign temptress who corrupted a noble Roman general.”

This narrative, immortalized in works by Roman poets like Virgil, Horace, and later Plutarch, depicted Cleopatra as morally corrupt and sexually manipulative. Reynolds notes that these characterizations conveniently ignored Cleopatra’s intellectual prowess and political acumen. Archaeological and historical records indicate she spoke at least nine languages and was educated in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and oratory.

Modern scholarship has begun to reassess Cleopatra’s reign, highlighting her diplomatic skills and administrative competence. During her 21-year rule, she navigated complex political alliances to preserve Egyptian sovereignty amid Roman expansion, maintained economic stability, and oversaw significant infrastructure projects throughout the kingdom.

“She was fighting to keep Egypt independent in an increasingly Roman-dominated Mediterranean,” says Dr. Martin Kaplan, curator of Egyptian antiquities at the British Museum. “Her relationships with Caesar and later Mark Antony were strategic political alliances, not simply romantic entanglements as Roman sources would have us believe.”

The Ptolemaic dynasty, of which Cleopatra was the last ruler, had governed Egypt for nearly three centuries following Alexander the Great’s conquest. Unlike her predecessors, Cleopatra embraced Egyptian culture and religious traditions, presenting herself as the living embodiment of the goddess Isis. She was the first Ptolemaic ruler to learn the Egyptian language.

Archaeological evidence from the period suggests her popularity among Egyptian subjects. Several temples bearing her likeness were constructed during her reign, and papyri records indicate stable grain prices and continued trade prosperity despite the political turmoil of the era.

“The Romans were masters of propaganda,” explains Dr. Elena Murillo, historian and author of “Reframing Cleopatra: Power Politics in the Ancient World.” “They systematically dismantled her reputation while appropriating Egypt’s vast wealth. Egypt provided approximately one-third of Rome’s grain supply following its annexation.”

The consequences of this character assassination have been far-reaching, influencing how powerful women have been portrayed throughout Western history. Hollywood’s depictions, most notably Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal in the 1963 film “Cleopatra,” have often reinforced the seductress narrative rather than presenting her as a capable ruler.

Recent archaeological efforts may eventually provide a more balanced view. Ongoing excavations near Alexandria seek to uncover Cleopatra’s tomb and additional artifacts from her reign. In 2010, archaeologists discovered a temple containing coins bearing her image and statuary from the period, though the queen’s final resting place remains elusive.

Museums worldwide are also reassessing how they present Cleopatra to the public. The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in California recently redesigned its Cleopatra exhibit to emphasize her political achievements alongside the more sensationalized aspects of her life.

“We’re finally moving beyond the Roman narrative,” says Kaplan. “Contemporary scholars recognize Cleopatra as a shrewd political strategist who maintained Egyptian independence for decades longer than might otherwise have been possible.”

As academic and public understanding evolves, Cleopatra’s legacy appears increasingly complex – a multilingual intellectual, religious leader, and political tactician whose story was deliberately reshaped by her enemies after her death. The enduring power of Roman propaganda serves as a reminder of how historical narratives can be manipulated by victors, and how challenging it can be to recover the truth centuries later.