How did the Romans know that Cleopatra was black?
There is no concrete evidence to suggest that the Roman population knew Cleopatra as "black" in the modern sense of the term. The concept of race and skin color categorization was different in the ancient world and not based on the same rigid binary system as today. Descriptions of Cleopatra's appearance by Roman writers are scarce and ambiguous. Some mention her beauty and charm, while others imply a non-Roman appearance. However, these descriptions often used vague terms like "exotic" or "eastern," not specifically referring to skin color. Roman art and sculptures depicting Cleopatra further complicate the issue. While some portray her with darker features, others showcase a more conventionally Roman appearance. This inconsistency suggests that the Romans didn't have a singular, clear-cut perception of her ethnicity. Instead of focusing exclusively on skin color, it's more helpful to understand Cleopatra's identity through the lens of ...
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