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Secondary sourceBookc. AD 30

Roman History

Velleius Paterculus · c. AD 30

An early Roman history written under Emperor Tiberius that gives an official account of Cleopatra's defeat at Actium and her death.

An early Roman literary source that helped shape the famous legend of Cleopatra's death by asp.

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Dark red book cover with gold lettering reading 'The Students' Series of Latin Classics'. A white library label on the left reads 'PA 6111 .S8 V4 1893 Copy 1'. The faded title on the cover is hard to read.
Velleius Paterculus, Roman History, c. AD 30. Edition shown: 'The Students' Series of Latin Classics', 1893.

About this source

What it is

This is a Roman history written by Velleius Paterculus around AD 30, during the reign of Tiberius. It describes the war at Actium and the story of Cleopatra's death, including the idea that she died from an asp bite.

Why it matters

This source was written decades after Cleopatra's death, under Roman rulers who wanted to present Augustus's victory in a good light. It shows how Roman writers shaped the story of Cleopatra for their own political reasons, long after she had died.

Look closer

  • Why might a Roman historian writing under Tiberius want to describe Cleopatra's death a certain way?
  • What does this source tell us about Roman attitudes toward Cleopatra, rather than about Cleopatra herself?
  • How can we tell the difference between a fact and a legend in this account?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Cleopatra and Augustus 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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