Cleopatra ’ s True Race
Volume XII , Issue 4 Nuntius Californiensis , Spring 11
Cleopatra ’ s True Race
( continued from pg . 9 ) It ’ s baffling to think of a world where skin color doesn ’ t matter much . In fact , it ’ s a topic rarely mentioned in Roman texts . To the Romans , Cleopatra was an evil foreign seductress , entrancing Caesar and Antony under her spell , distracting them from their imperial duties . Yet , it ’ s strange that they never once described her beauty in terms of her skin tone , instead choosing to describe , in Plutarch ’ s words , her “ tongue , like an instrument of many strings , she could readily turn to whatever language she pleased ” or her “ being brilliant to look upon and to listen to , with the power to subjugate everyone ,” in the words of Cassius Dio . Perhaps people throughout history , from Renaissance painters to Hollywood moguls , read these descriptions and immediately assumed that such beauty could only belong to a white woman . And it ’ s very possible that they weren ’ t wrong in their assumptions specifically about Cleopatra . However , instead of focusing on the complicated question of Cleopatra ’ s race , it may be more important and more successful to try to dispel rumors that shroud her exaggerated persona . We may have a different understanding of race nowadays , but we also ( hopefully ) have a better understanding of truth , and Cleopatra ’ s legacy depends less on the determination of her race than on the revealing of her authentic legacy .
Editor ’ s Farewell
Thank you all so much for your for reading the Nuntius this past year . Being your editor has truly been an honor . Somewhere between all the editing and formatting , I realized the tremendous creativity , passion , and love that drives the JCL . I published pieces this year with topics ranging from the connection between Twitter and Classics to a fictionalized version of Cicero ’ s letters to Atticus . Every JCLer , SCLer , and sponsor who contributed to the Nuntius brought unique ideas and helped forge an invaluable connection with local and nationwide JCL chapters . Aside from providing important information about upcoming and past JCL events , I sincerely hope that this publication has been a source for joy and curiosity for everyone . To all who have made this publication possible , I extend my eternal gratitude . Avete atque Valete , Zahra Hasanain
Cleopatra has historically been portrayed as a white woman in movies , paintings , and other media
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