It has been more than two millennia since she died, and yet Cleopatra remains a raging topic of discussion. The age-old question of Cleopatra's ethnicity looms large. Some say she was white Caucasian, others argue she was Black African,&nbsp;and so on. It's a debate that has been going on for centuries, and one that seems to have no end in sight. The topic comes up once every few years, usually because of casting news regarding her in a TV show or a movie. A newly announced miniseries, titled Queen Cleopatra, directed by Tina Gharavi, explores the life and reign of Cleopatra, from her childhood in Egypt to her death by suicide at the age of 39. The film also examines the legacy of Cleopatra, who is often seen as a symbol of beauty, power, and intelligence.&nbsp;

But the casting of Adele James, a Black actress, in the role of Cleopatra has been met with some controversy, with many accusing Netflix of going overboard with 'Afrocentrism'. So forgive me, if you will, as I delve into this topic again, with a dash of historical context.&nbsp;

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<h2>Who was Cleopatra?</h2>

Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 69 BCE. It was a time after the Pharaohs and the Ptolemaic Kingdom, a Greek dynasty, ruled the nation. During this time, Egypt, due to its long history and location, was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, and people from all over the world travelled there for trade and commerce. It was a time when&nbsp;it wasn't uncommon to see people of different skin colours and facial features.

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What about her family background? The Ptolemaic dynasty was a Macedonian Greek dynasty that had ruled Egypt since Alexander the Great. Her father was Ptolemy XII Auletes, and her mother was, probably, Cleopatra V Tryphaena (one of the vagaries of history is we don't know everything for certain), who was of Greek descent. Based on her parents' ethnicity, many have argued that Cleopatra should be considered white. As with many things in history, the truth is difficult to discern.

It is important, for instance, to note that Cleopatra's family had intermarried with native Egyptian royalty for centuries, which meant that her bloodline was likely a mix of Greek and Egyptian.&nbsp;
<img alt="Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra in 1963's Cleopatra." data-caption="Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra in 1963's &lt;em&gt;Cleopatra&lt;/em&gt;." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="81188eac-f5bc-43a0-8bad-f90249e5855b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cleopatra%20%281%29.png" />
Some scholars also suggest that she may have had Persian or Syrian ancestry due to her family's close ties with those regions. One theory that posits the idea of Cleopatra being of African descent is that her father, Ptolemy XII, may have had Nubian ancestry. Nubia was a region in Africa that is now part of Sudan and southern Egypt. Some historians also speculate that Ptolemy XII had a Nubian concubine or wife, which would mean that Cleopatra had some African heritage.

However, there is no solid evidence to support this theory, and some historians have disputed it. Many portraits of Cleopatra, particularly in the West, depict her with Caucasian features, such as a straight nose and narrow face, which is more consistent with her Greek ancestry. But then, depictions are depictions, and do not always go well with reality.

Many accounts say that Cleopatra was a celebrated beauty, and her physical appearance has been described in various ways. Some historical accounts describe her as having a long nose, while others say that she had a hooked nose. Some say that she had black hair and dark eyes, while others describe her as having light hair and blue eyes. My newbie guess is that even if we could arrange for a time machine and go back in time and meet Cleopatra in person, we still might not determine her ethnicity based on her physical appearance alone.&nbsp;
<img alt="cleopatra" data-caption="Lyndsey Marshal as Cleopatra in HBO's&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;Rome&lt;/em&gt;." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="972e3ec1-96cd-4766-8b8b-5b8bf0525457" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cleopatra%20%283%29.png" />
<h2>Cleopatra and the power of perception</h2>

The power of perception plays an important role in how most people picture Cleopatra when they read her name. In Western art, Cleopatra has often been depicted as a white woman with European features, such as fair skin and light hair. This is partly due to the influence of the Renaissance, which saw a renewed interest in classical antiquity and the glorification of white, European beauty standards. The same thing happened with the depictions of Jesus, for he had to be white to justify oppression and subjugation of darker-skinned peoples by white Europeans.

In Egyptian art, on the other hand, Cleopatra has been depicted with darker skin and more African features, such as a broad nose and full lips. This is not surprising, given that Egypt has a long history of African influence and cultural exchange.

What does all this mean? Not much we can decipher, sadly. We may never know for sure what she looked like. She was almost certainly a mix of different ethnicities and cultures, as were many people in Egypt and beyond at the time. It might be hard to believe, but skin colour did not matter as much in ancient times as it does now. It's like we are devolving.
<img alt="cleopatra" data-caption="A 1st century painting depicting Cleopatra with red hair." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e9aa40e6-0f65-4da7-9e8c-faf505569ff8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/cleopatra%20%282%29.png" />
<h2>Cleopatra, a capable ruler</h2>

I believe it is time for a shift in conversation regarding Cleopatra. For the truth is, she was a powerful leader who fought to maintain the independence of Egypt, even in the face of Roman conquest. She was a skilled politician and diplomat who formed alliances with powerful men, such as Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She was a patron of the arts and sciences, and she helped to promote the spread of Greek and Roman culture throughout Egypt.

Additionally, Cleopatra was well-educated and spoke both Koine Greek, her first language, and Egyptian. She was the only Ptolemaic ruler to learn the latter. Apart from her beauty, she was also known for her charm and intelligence, which made her a formidable leader in a time when women were almost unheard of holding positions of power.

So perhaps the colour of Cleopatra's skin should be less relevant than the impact she had as a ruler. Perhaps her legacy should not be defined by her ethnicity, but by her leadership, intelligence, and cultural influence.&nbsp;

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It has been more than two millennia since she died, and yet Cleopatra remains a raging topic of discussion. The age-old question of Cleopatra's ethnicity looms large.

It has been more than two millennia since she died, and yet Cleopatra remains a raging topic of discussion. The age-old question of Cleopatra's ethnicity looms large. Some say she was white Caucasian, others argue she was Black African, and so on. It's a debate that has been going on for centuries, and one that seems to have no end in sight. The topic comes up once every few years, usually because of casting news regarding her in a TV show or a movie. A newly announced miniseries, titled Queen Cleopatra, directed by Tina Gharavi, explores the life and reign of Cleopatra, from her childhood in Egypt to her death by suicide at the age of 39. The film also examines the legacy of Cleopatra, who is often seen as a symbol of beauty, power, and intelligence. But the casting of Adele James, a Black actress, in the role of Cleopatra has been met with some controversy, with many accusing Netflix of going overboard with 'Afrocentrism'. So forgive me, if you will, as I delve into this topic again, with a dash of historical context. Who was Cleopatra? Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 69 BCE. It was a time after the Pharaohs and the Ptolemaic Kingdom, a Greek dynasty, ruled the nation. During this time, Egypt, due to its long history and location, was a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, and people from all over the world travelled there for trade and commerce. It was a time when it wasn't uncommon to see people of different skin colours and facial features. What about her family background? The Ptolemaic dynasty was a Macedonian Greek dynasty that had ruled Egypt since Alexander the Great. Her father was Ptolemy XII Auletes, and her mother was, probably, Cleopatra V Tryphaena (one of the vagaries of history is we don't know everything for certain), who was of Greek descent. Based on her parents' ethnicity, many have argued that Cleopatra should be considered white. As with many things in history, the truth is difficult to discern. It is important, for instance, to note that Cleopatra's family had intermarried with native Egyptian royalty for centuries, which meant that her bloodline was likely a mix of Greek and Egyptian. Some scholars also suggest that she may have had Persian or Syrian ancestry due to her family's close ties with those regions. One theory that posits the idea of Cleopatra being of African descent is that her father, Ptolemy XII, may have had Nubian ancestry. Nubia was a region in Africa that is now part of Sudan and southern Egypt. Some historians also speculate that Ptolemy XII had a Nubian concubine or wife, which would mean that Cleopatra had some African heritage. However, there is no solid evidence to support this theory, and some historians have disputed it. Many portraits of Cleopatra, particularly in the West, depict her with Caucasian features, such as a straight nose and narrow face, which is more consistent with her Greek ancestry. But then, depictions are depictions, and do not always go well with reality. Many accounts say that Cleopatra was a celebrated beauty, and her physical appearance has been described in various ways. Some historical accounts describe her as having a long nose, while others say that she had a hooked nose. Some say that she had black hair and dark eyes, while others describe her as having light hair and blue eyes. My newbie guess is that even if we could arrange for a time machine and go back in time and meet Cleopatra in person, we still might not determine her ethnicity based on her physical appearance alone. Cleopatra and the power of perception The power of perception plays an important role in how most people picture Cleopatra when they read her name. In Western art, Cleopatra has often been depicted as a white woman with European features, such as fair skin and light hair. This is partly due to the influence of the Renaissance, which saw a renewed interest in classical antiquity and the glorification of white, European beauty standards. The same thing happened with the depictions of Jesus, for he had to be white to justify oppression and subjugation of darker-skinned peoples by white Europeans. In Egyptian art, on the other hand, Cleopatra has been depicted with darker skin and more African features, such as a broad nose and full lips. This is not surprising, given that Egypt has a long history of African influence and cultural exchange. What does all this mean? Not much we can decipher, sadly. We may never know for sure what she looked like. She was almost certainly a mix of different ethnicities and cultures, as were many people in Egypt and beyond at the time. It might be hard to believe, but skin colour did not matter as much in ancient times as it does now. It's like we are devolving. Cleopatra, a capable ruler I believe it is time for a shift in conversation regarding Cleopatra. For the truth is, she was a powerful leader who fought to maintain the independence of Egypt, even in the face of Roman conquest. She was a skilled politician and diplomat who formed alliances with powerful men, such as Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. She was a patron of the arts and sciences, and she helped to promote the spread of Greek and Roman culture throughout Egypt. Additionally, Cleopatra was well-educated and spoke both Koine Greek, her first language, and Egyptian. She was the only Ptolemaic ruler to learn the latter. Apart from her beauty, she was also known for her charm and intelligence, which made her a formidable leader in a time when women were almost unheard of holding positions of power. So perhaps the colour of Cleopatra's skin should be less relevant than the impact she had as a ruler. Perhaps her legacy should not be defined by her ethnicity, but by her leadership, intelligence, and cultural influence. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Was Cleopatra really Black? A mystery that will outlive us all

The Netflix documentary series African Queens: Queen Cleopatra has become a hot topic ever since the trailer for its four-part drama was released. The show sparked major controversy for depicting Queen Cleopatra as a black African. 
 
The Netflix show didn't go down well with netizens, who were quick to slam the makers of the show. The show features actor Adele James as the historical figure Cleopatra.&nbsp; 
 
However, now the director of the show, Tina Gharavi, is finally speaking out. Hitting back at the criticism, Gharavi wrote in a new article written for Variety, about the backlash she has received over the casting.&nbsp;

Recalling seeing Elizabeth Taylor playing&nbsp;the role of an Egyptian ruler as a kid doesn't feel right to her, she wrote, ''I remember as a kid seeing Elizabeth Taylor play Cleopatra. I was captivated, but even then, I felt the image was 
not right. Was her skin really that white? With this new production, could I find the answers about Cleopatra’s heritage and release her from the stranglehold that Hollywood had placed on her image?'' 
 
Further, she wrote, ''Doing the research, I realized what a political act it would be to see Cleopatra portrayed by a Black actress.'' 
 
''For me, the idea that people had gotten it so incredibly wrong before — historically, from Theda Bara to Monica Bellucci, and recently, with Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot in the running to play her — meant we had to get it even more right. The hunt was on to find the right performer to bring Cleopatra into the 21st century.'' 
 
Writting&nbsp;further, she questioned the people's obsession to see Cleopatra white: ''Why shouldn’t Cleopatra be a melanated sister? And why do some people need Cleopatra to be white? Her proximity to whiteness seems to give her value, and for some Egyptians, it seems to really matter.'' 
 
Not only Cleopatra’s beauty but through her casting, Gharavi said she also wanted to show&nbsp;her ''strength''. 
 
Hitting back at the backlash, the director said, ''While shooting, I became the target of a huge online hate campaign. Egyptians accused me of “blackwashing” and “stealing” their history. Some threatened to ruin my career — which I wanted to tell them was laughable. I was ruining it very well for myself, thank you very much! No amount of reasoning or reminders that Arab invasions had not yet happened in Cleopatra’s age seemed to stem the tide of ridiculous comments.'' 
 
''Perhaps, it’s not just that I’ve directed a series that portrays Cleopatra as Black, but that I have asked Egyptians to see themselves as Africans, and they are furious at me for that. I am okay with this.'' 
 
Concluding her long letter, she noted how misogynoir still has an effect on people. ''We need to liberate our imaginations, and boldly create a world in which we can explore our historical figures without fearing the complexity that comes with their depiction. I am proud to stand with “Queen Cleopatra” — a re-imagined Cleopatra — and with the team that made this.'' 
 
Before the director, the actress of the show Adele James reacted to all the backlash and said, "If you don't like the casting, don't watch the show." The producer of the Netflix production also said that "her heritage is highly debated". 
 
Queen Cleopatra will release on Netflix on May 10

The Netflix documentary series African Queens: Queen Cleopatra has become a hot topic ever since the trailer for its four-part drama was released. The show sparked major controversy for depicting Queen Cleopatra as a black African.

The Netflix documentary series African Queens: Queen Cleopatra has become a hot topic ever since the trailer for its four-part drama was released. The show sparked major controversy for depicting Queen Cleopatra as a black African. The Netflix show didn't go down well with netizens, who were quick to slam the makers of the show. The show features actor Adele James as the historical figure Cleopatra. However, now the director of the show, Tina Gharavi, is finally speaking out. Hitting back at the criticism, Gharavi wrote in a new article written for Variety, about the backlash she has received over the casting. Recalling seeing Elizabeth Taylor playing the role of an Egyptian ruler as a kid doesn't feel right to her, she wrote, ''I remember as a kid seeing Elizabeth Taylor play Cleopatra. I was captivated, but even then, I felt the image was not right. Was her skin really that white? With this new production, could I find the answers about Cleopatra’s heritage and release her from the stranglehold that Hollywood had placed on her image?'' Further, she wrote, ''Doing the research, I realized what a political act it would be to see Cleopatra portrayed by a Black actress.'' ''For me, the idea that people had gotten it so incredibly wrong before — historically, from Theda Bara to Monica Bellucci, and recently, with Angelina Jolie and Gal Gadot in the running to play her — meant we had to get it even more right. The hunt was on to find the right performer to bring Cleopatra into the 21st century.'' Writting further, she questioned the people's obsession to see Cleopatra white: ''Why shouldn’t Cleopatra be a melanated sister? And why do some people need Cleopatra to be white? Her proximity to whiteness seems to give her value, and for some Egyptians, it seems to really matter.'' Not only Cleopatra’s beauty but through her casting, Gharavi said she also wanted to show her ''strength''. Hitting back at the backlash, the director said, ''While shooting, I became the target of a huge online hate campaign. Egyptians accused me of “blackwashing” and “stealing” their history. Some threatened to ruin my career — which I wanted to tell them was laughable. I was ruining it very well for myself, thank you very much! No amount of reasoning or reminders that Arab invasions had not yet happened in Cleopatra’s age seemed to stem the tide of ridiculous comments.'' ''Perhaps, it’s not just that I’ve directed a series that portrays Cleopatra as Black, but that I have asked Egyptians to see themselves as Africans, and they are furious at me for that. I am okay with this.'' Concluding her long letter, she noted how misogynoir still has an effect on people. ''We need to liberate our imaginations, and boldly create a world in which we can explore our historical figures without fearing the complexity that comes with their depiction. I am proud to stand with “Queen Cleopatra” — a re-imagined Cleopatra — and with the team that made this.'' Before the director, the actress of the show Adele James reacted to all the backlash and said, "If you don't like the casting, don't watch the show." The producer of the Netflix production also said that "her heritage is highly debated". Queen Cleopatra will release on Netflix on May 10

Queen Cleopatra director reacts to casting controversy: I am proud to stand with a re-imagined Cleopatra

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Explained: Was Cleopatra really Black? A mystery that will outlive us all

Queen Cleopatra director reacts to casting controversy: I am proud to stand with a re-imagined Cleopatra