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Primary sourceArtifact

Dendera Temple Relief of Cleopatra and Caesarion

A relief at the Dendera Temple complex showing Cleopatra and her son making offerings in the traditional style of Egyptian pharaohs.

Shows Cleopatra presenting herself in the traditional Egyptian pharaonic style.

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Stone wall carving at an ancient Egyptian temple showing figures in traditional pharaonic poses and dress.
Relief at Dendera Temple complex, Egypt, showing Cleopatra and Caesarion as pharaohs.

About this source

What it is

The Dendera temple complex is one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples, located south-east of Dendera, Egypt. Among its carvings is a relief showing Cleopatra with her son by Julius Caesar, both depicted as traditional Egyptian pharaohs making offerings.

Why it matters

This relief reveals the Egyptian royal image Cleopatra cultivated alongside her Greek one. By presenting herself and her son in the style of pharaohs going back thousands of years, she connected her rule to Egypt's ancient religious traditions, not just to the Hellenistic Greek world.

Look closer

  • Why might a ruler choose to be shown in more than one artistic style?
  • What does the pharaoh imagery suggest about who Cleopatra wanted to convince of her legitimacy?
  • What is missing from a temple carving that a written record might tell us?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Cleopatra on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Close-up photo of a brownish papyrus sheet with dark ink lines of Greek handwriting in columns, torn edges, and a dark background showing through a split down the middle.Document

Primary source

Papyrus with Signature of Cleopatra VII

Ptolemaic scribe; possibly countersigned by Cleopatra VII · February 33 BCE

Hand-coloured aquatint titled Baths of Cleopatra, at Alexandria. A rocky coastal scene with a curved sandy inlet in the foreground, stone steps and a small arched doorway, a hill with ruined structures behind, and sailing boats on the sea. Figures in turbans and robes stand on the shore and sit in a rowboat.Painting

Secondary source

Baths of Cleopatra, at Alexandria

Luigi Mayer · 1802

Sepia-toned photograph of a white marble seated statue of Cleopatra by William Wetmore Story. She sits on a plinth engraved with the name CLEOPATRA, head resting on her raised hand, wearing a veil and draped robe, against a stone wall.Sculpture

Secondary source

Cleopatra

William Wetmore Story

Photograph of a white marble bust of a woman's head and upper neck, turned to the viewer's right. Wavy hair is combed over the forehead, a smooth bun sits at the back, and the hair shows a pinkish-brown discoloration. Light gray wall behind.Sculpture

Primary source

Portrait of Cleopatra (Berlin Bust)

c. 40-30 BCE

Marble sculpture of a woman's head and upper neck, shown in three-quarter view on a black stand against a brick wall. The hair is pulled back under a band with a knot at the top and a braided bun at the back. The face is calm with straight brows, a long nose, and closed lips. The bust is cut off at the base.Sculpture

Primary source

Head-Portrait of Cleopatra VII (Vatican Bust)

c. 40-30 BCE

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