Posted on 02/14/2007 8:59:15 AM PST by blam
Coin shows Cleopatra's ugly truth
The images of Antony and Cleopatra are less than flattering
Antony and Cleopatra, one of history's most romantic couples, were not the great beauties that Hollywood would have us believe, academics have said. A study of a 2,000-year-old silver coin found the Egyptian queen, famously portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor, had a pointed chin, thin lips and sharp nose.
Her Roman lover, played by Richard Burton, had bulging eyes, thick neck and a hook nose.
The tiny coin was studied by experts at Newcastle University.
The size of a modern 5p piece (18mm or 0.7in), the artefact from 32BC was in a collection belonging to the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle, which is being researched in preparation for the opening of a new Great North Museum.
Clare Pickersgill, the university's assistant director of archaeological museums, said: "The popular image we have of Cleopatra is that of a beautiful queen who was adored by Roman politicians and generals.
"Recent research would seem to disagree with this portrayal, however."
The university's director of archaeological museums, Lindsay Allason-Jones, said: "The image on the coin is far from being that of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
"Roman writers tell us that Cleopatra was intelligent and charismatic, and that she had a seductive voice but, tellingly, they do not mention her beauty.
The Hollywood couple may have perpetrated a Hollywood myth
"The image of Cleopatra as a beautiful seductress is a more recent image."
The silver denarius coin would have been issued by the mint of Mark Antony.
On one side is the head of Mark Antony, bearing the caption "Antoni Armenia devicta" meaning "For Antony, Armenia having been vanquished".
Cleopatra appears on the reverse of the coin with the inscription "Cleopatra Reginae regum filiorumque regum", meaning "For Cleopatra, Queen of kings and of the children of kings".
The university hopes more forgotten treasures will come to light before the Great North Museum opens in 2009.
The Roman coin is on display in Newcastle University's Shefton Museum from 14 February.
I assume that Anthony is the coin on the left based on the description, (Thick Neck, Hooked Nose).
kinda looks like-em to me...
Considering that the Ptolomic Pharoahs were highly incestuous (brother/sister), that assumption might not be justified. See here for the sordid details.
I agree, Cleopatra by all accounts was not a stunning beauty, but had an aura of sexuality that added to her beauty. Also, she was very intelligent and as Queen and Pharaoh (she was the last Pharaoh), she probably had the best clothes, jewelry and makeup.She was largely of Macedonian (Greek) ancestry being a part of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
That bust looks like Nefertiti's bust in a museum in Berlin?
I used to have one of those.
Wasn't quite as nice.
Cleo is on the right, Tony on the left.
"That bust looks like Nefertiti's bust in a museum in Berlin?"
You are correct, sir!
See? I've already made my getaway.
Cleopatra Found Depicted In Drag
Discovery News | 9-21-2005 | Jennifer Viegas
Posted on 09/22/2005 7:43:04 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1489615/posts
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CLEOPATRA WAS A BLONDE -
(terrific brief history of Egypt's rich past; optimistic democratic future)
TO THE POINT.COM | MARCH 24, 2005 | DR. JACK WHEELER
Posted on 03/26/2005 4:14:24 PM EST by CHARLITE
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LOL Diet Pepsi all over keyboard
Nefertiti has the best bust in the ancient world.
Like being Rubenesque, zaftig or a stick insect?
"Beauty, by who's standard? Ours or those who lived 2,000 years ago. I believe the standards of beauty were quite different."
I doubt the standards were all that different.
Look at Greek statues, male and female. That was their idea of perfect. And the statuary Greeks are hot.
Roman statues went for realism, not idealism, so you get bony nosed Caesars with warts and fat women etc. But the Romans didn't pretend that these statue portraits were pretty, and when they decorated their palaces and orgy-halls, it was was Greek-looking Adonises and Venuses, which are pretty hot.
Nefertiti: pretty hot.
It could be that standards of beauty have changed. But I doubt it. Money and power, of course, have always been beauty enhancers, and being the boyfriend of the Queen of Egypt was a good gig.
"We are very slightly changed from the semi-apes who ranged India's prehistoric clay.
He who drew the longest bow ran his brother down, you know, as we run men down today...
...'Ere they hewed the Sphinx's visage favouritism governed kissage,
even as it does in our day."
- Kipling, "A General Summary"
That's interesting.
Maybe that was all that was needed to be a "beauty". Maybe his and her looks in those days were considered attractive.
I'm constantly butting heads with the Afrocentrists at work on the Black Cleopatra issue.They even put out a T-Shirt saying"Cleopatra,a Beautiful Black Woman"
I said what y'all need to do is rep Queen Ty,Tut's momma, on a T-shirt.She WAS black.
Sort of reminds me of Maxine Waters.
I do believe you are mixing up Monica Lewinsky with Cleopatra.
BTW,what history books have you been reading and how do I get a hold of some?
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