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Primary sourcePaintingmid-1st century BCE

Wall Painting of a Queen as Venus with Cupid

Unknown Roman painter · mid-1st century BCE

A Roman fresco from Pompeii thought by some scholars to depict Cleopatra as the goddess Venus with her son Caesarion as a cupid.

Possibly a Roman depiction of Cleopatra as Venus with her son Caesarion, echoing a statue Caesar erected in her honor.

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An ancient Roman wall painting showing the goddess Venus with a cupid's arms around her, near large temple doors.
Wall painting, House of Marcus Fabius Rufus, Pompeii, mid-1st century BC.

About this source

What it is

This wall painting was made by an unknown Roman artist in the mid-1st century BC and decorates the House of Marcus Fabius Rufus at Pompeii, Italy. It shows the goddess Venus holding a cupid near large temple doors.

Why it matters

Scholars think the painting may show Cleopatra portrayed as Venus Genetrix with Caesarion, echoing a gilded statue of Cleopatra that Julius Caesar set up in his temple to Venus in Rome. If so, it shows how Cleopatra's image was connected to Roman religion and politics even far from Egypt.

Look closer

  • Why might Romans want to show a foreign queen as one of their own goddesses?
  • What clues in the painting make scholars think it could be Cleopatra rather than just Venus?
  • What does it mean that we are not completely certain who is depicted?

This painting 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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