The death of Cleopatra VII is a well-worn story, one that has been dramatized time and time again. It has served as inspiration for fictional stories of powerful leaders and doomed lovers, perhaps even the thematically similar ending to William Shakespeare wrote for Romeo & Juliet. So of course, Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra docuseries doesn’t skirt past it. Narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, the series dives into Cleopatra’s life and her experience ruling over Egypt — as well as her death.
The fourth and final episode, titled “The Last Pharaoh,” tackles the tragic demise of Cleopatra and her consort Mark Antony, which they portray as a display of control.
To be clear up front, Cleopatra’s suicide wasn’t the result of a mental health crisis – and the act didn’t carry the same meaning in 30 B.C. as it does nowadays. So perhaps this has left you with a few questions.
Curious about why Cleopatra killed herself and how she died? Continue reading for everything you need to know about the Egyptian Queen’s death and how it’s portrayed in Netflix’s latest docuseries.
Why Did Cleopatra Kill Herself?
Cleopatra is known as the last pharaoh of Egypt and her death represented an unfortunate turning point for the country, leading to the disintegration of the Ptolemaic dynasty and Egypt’s heaps of treasure.
But the Egyptian Queen didn’t ditch her country. In fact, she killed herself as a result of the civil war in Rome, which she was fighting on behalf of her people. The war had previously led to the assassination of Cleopatra’s late husband, Roman dictator Julius Caesar. His successor Antony, who was also her lover, died as well.
Cleopatra’s death occurred after the Battle of Actium in 31 BC, which was the final war between the Roman Republic – led by Antony and supported by Cleopatra – and the Roman Empire. The war took place in Roman Greece. After the duo found themselves at a loss during the battle, Octavian – founder of the Roman Empire – invaded Egypt and defeated their military.
In return, Cleopatra and Antony died by suicide and Octavian was made the first Roman emperor.
But How did Cleopatra Die?
The Egyptian leader’s death is explored in Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra docuseries, which entertains an array of theories from historians. What is known is that Cleopatra was determined to propose more challenges to Octavian as he was occupying Egypt, so she penned a letter to Antony and proceeded to gather her treasure into her tomb with the intent to set it aflame.
However, she discovered that Antony had attempted suicide by stabbing himself with a sword after having received a note from Cleopatra. While many believe that Cleopatra told Antony that she had committed suicide, nobody knows what was written in the letter. Professor Shelley Haley, who teaches Classics at Hamilton College, says in the series, “Shakespeare would have us believe Cleopatra fabricated her own suicide in the hopes that it would prompt Mark Antony to commit suicide.”
Antony is said to have died in his lover’s arms.
In these years, suicide was considered “the bravest thing to do, according to a Roman person,” as Jacquelyn Williamson, Associate Professor of Art and Archeology of the Mediterranean, expresses in the documentary. She says it is a way for leaders to “maintain dignity even in the face of death,” which is why it is believed that Cleopatra, following Antony’s death, had committed suicide rather than been murdered by Octavian, who did not want her to die in the hands of the Romans out of fear of rebellion from her followers. Though, some suspect Cleopatra was driven to suicide by Antony, who was keeping her as a prisoner.
In the Netflix series, Haley states that Cleopatra researched different options for suicide to ensure that it wouldn’t be painful nor would it “distort her body.” The expert says, “She decides how she’s going to die. And he decides with whom she’s going to die. It’s not Octavian. It’s not the Roman Senate. It’s Cleopatra, she is in control.”
It is unknown how Cleopatra committed suicide although many believe she allowed herself to be bitten by an Egyptian cobra, otherwise known as an asp. Egyptologist Colleen Darnell gives insight into why the theory is popular – aside from the cinematic value appreciated by filmmakers – saying, “The cobra is a symbol of royalty, so even if the asp wasn’t part of her suicide, it was the perfect symbol to represent that she was leaving the world as Queen of Egypt.”
Prior to her death, Cleopatra wrote Octavian a letter requesting that she and Antony would be buried together. However, their burial sites have never been found. Haley suspects they were cremated as Rome didn’t traditionally mummify bodies.
So the answer to how Queen Cleopatra died is a resounding “we don’t know for sure.” What we do know, though, is that she was the one who chose the way she went out.
Queen Cleopatra is currently streaming on Netflix.