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Primary sourceDocumentFebruary 33 BCE

Papyrus with Signature of Cleopatra VII

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

A 33 BCE Egyptian tax ordinance that may carry Cleopatra's own handwritten approval, 'let it be done.'

Possibly the only surviving trace of Cleopatra's own handwriting, showing her governing directly.

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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.
Papyrus tax ordinance with possible autograph note of Cleopatra VII, February 33 BCE.

About this source

What it is

This is a papyrus document from Ptolemaic Egypt, dated to February 33 BCE. It records an official order granting tax exemptions to Publius Canidius Crassus, a Roman general allied with Mark Antony. The document was recovered from mummy wrappings and first published in 2000.

Why it matters

A note in different handwriting reads 'let it be done' in Greek. Many scholars believe this is Cleopatra's own writing, added to approve the order. If true, it is one of the only surviving examples of her handwriting and shows her directly managing taxes and rewarding Roman allies who supported her rule.

Look closer

  • What does the countersigned note suggest about how Ptolemaic rulers approved official documents?
  • Why might a tax exemption for a Roman general matter to Cleopatra's political position?
  • What does this document NOT tell us about Cleopatra as a person?

This document 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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