Skip to main content

Secondary sourcePhotograph19th century

Ruins of the Temple of Cleopatra and Caesarion at Armant

Unknown · 19th century

A 19th-century photograph showing the ruins of a temple at Hermonthis that Cleopatra built to celebrate the birth of her son Caesarion.

Records the now-destroyed temple Cleopatra built at Hermonthis to celebrate Caesarion's birth.

Ask Cleopatra about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Black-and-white glass lantern slide of ruined temple columns with carved capitals and hieroglyphic reliefs, a tall column with a broken top rising at centre, rubble and dirt in the foreground, palm trees behind. Labelled Luxor-style inscription 'Lwth 358' and 'H 1'.
Ruins of the Temple of Cleopatra and Caesarion, Armant, Egypt. 19th-century photograph.

About this source

What it is

This is an old glass-slide photograph of the ruined birth temple at Armant (ancient Hermonthis) in Egypt, dedicated to Cleopatra and her son Ptolemy XV Caesarion. The photographer is unknown.

Why it matters

Cleopatra built this temple to mark the divine birth of Caesarion, linking her rule to Egyptian religious tradition. The temple no longer stands, so this photograph is one of the few visual records of its remains.

Look closer

  • Why would Cleopatra build a temple celebrating her son's birth?
  • What does the destruction of the original temple mean for how we study Cleopatra's Egypt today?
  • What can a photograph of ruins tell us, and what is lost forever?

This photograph 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.

More Cleopatra sources

Meet the AI Cleopatra →
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

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Cleopatra now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions