Thursday, December 12, 2024

A Cleopatra bust from Taposiris Magna?

ICONIC ICONOGRAPY? Possible bust of Cleopatra VII found at ancient Egyptian temple. A small statue of a woman wearing a royal crown may depict Cleopatra VII, an archaeologist claims. Other archaeologists think it is likely someone else. (Owen Jarus, Live Science).

If only the ancients had labeled things more diligently. Why couldn't they have put ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑ on the base of the bust and made it easy for us?

For many PaleoJudaica posts on Cleopatra VII (the Cleopatra), who reportedly spoke Hebrew and Aramaic, start here (cf. here) and follow the links.

For more on the site of Taposiris Magna, and the so-far unsuccessful search for Cleopatra's tomb there, see the links collected here, plus here. A recent article in the Jerusalem Post surveys the current situation: Are we getting closer to the elusive tomb of Cleopatra? New discoveries at the Taposiris Magna temple complex west of Alexandria reignited hopes of locating the tomb.

Even though no Cleopatra has turned up so far, the site keeps producing interesting artifacts and architecture.

Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.