Cleopatra and Political Success

By Pierce K. Kozlowski

It has been widely debated as to how much influence, exactly, Cleopatra’s physical beauty had over her political success. Cassius Dio (164-230 C.E.)—a wealthy Greek consul, author, and historian—argued that Cleopatra was a “woman of surpassing beauty,” and that she “possessed a most charming voice and a knowledge of how to make herself agreeable to everyone.” Dio went on to suggest that those very qualities aided Cleopatra in her social-political pursuits, even helping her win over the heart of the fearsome Julius Caesar. Dio’s position on the true awe and influence of Cleopatra’s beauty, however, has been widely contested from varying intellectuals across time.

Plutarch (50-120 C.E.)—a biographer, historian, and famous Greco-Roman author—argued that Cleopatra’s physical beauty was not as astounding or “surpassing” as Dio claimed. She was, according to Plutarch, “not altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her.” Interestingly enough, Plutarch still agreed with Dio on the “irresistible charm” Cleopatra possessed. Plutarch also noted Cleopatra’s honeyed voice and talented multilingualism, which no doubt added to her appeal: “there was a sweetness also in the tones of [Cleopatra’s] voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings, she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased.” Other modern day intellectuals agree with Plutarch’s points on Cleopatra’s over-exaggerated beauty and machiavellian charm.

Stacy Schiff—an essayist, biographer, and Pulitzer Prize winning author—said that “[Cleopatra] has a very strong chin, hooked nose very much like her father’s, and sunken eyes..” Schiff concluded by saying that Cleopatra was “no great beauty, by no means an Elizabeth Taylor look-alike.” Dio clashes with Plutcarch and Schiff on this point, but they argue in harmonic unison with one another when it comes to Cleopatra’s capacity to charm. Schiff captures this sentiment perfectly when she says, “it was not [Cleopatra’s] beauty but her charisma that was the dominant quality.”

Reasonable minds may differ on these conclusions, but based on primary source findings, it is fair-minded to say that Cleopatra's political success and political achievements probably had less to do with her physical beauty and more to do with her charisma, because most evidence suggests that it was her social talents, rather than her figure, which contributed to her political success.

References

1. Dio, Roman History(XLII.34.4-6)

2. Plutarch, Life of Antony (XXVII.2-3)