The Mystery of Cleopatra’s Death

 

The Mystery of Cleopatra’s Death

Date: 30 BCE

Story:
Cleopatra’s death remains one of antiquity’s most debated events. The official story claims she used an asp—a venomous Egyptian cobra—smuggled in a basket of figs.
She was found draped on her golden bed, adorned in royal robes, with two loyal handmaidens dead beside her.
But inconsistencies abound. No bite marks were noted on her body. Poison, not snakebite, may have been the true cause.
Some suggest a suicide kit of fast-acting toxins, prepared by her physician. Others suspect Octavian allowed the suicide to avoid executing her publicly.
Roman accounts likely embellished the snake tale for dramatic effect—it suited the myth of the exotic queen.
Modern forensics suggests a lethal cocktail of opium, hemlock, and wolfsbane was more plausible.
Her body was buried quickly, possibly beside Antony, but the tomb’s location was lost—perhaps hidden to protect her legacy.
In death, Cleopatra controlled the narrative, turning defeat into legend.

Key Characters:

Cleopatra VII

Octavian

Iras and Charmion (her handmaidens)

Roman physician

Reference:

Plutarch, Life of Antony

Appian, Civil Wars

Stacy Schiff, Cleopatra: A Life