Cleopatra 1620 - 1664

This print of Cleopatra was made by Stefano della Bella sometime in the 17th century. Here, we see Cleopatra poised, almost theatrical, as the asp bites her breast. The asp, a venomous snake, isn't merely a means of death; it is a potent symbol. In ancient Egypt, the uraeus—the rearing cobra—adorned the crowns of pharaohs, signifying divine authority and protection. Cleopatra, in choosing this serpent, aligns herself with this ancient lineage. But note the subversion: what was once a symbol of power is now an instrument of death, willingly embraced. I am reminded of other tragic heroines across time, figures like Dido or Lucretia, who chose death over dishonor. The act of suicide, particularly by a noble woman, becomes a defiant assertion of control in a world dominated by men. It's a gesture that resonates through history, each iteration colored by its own cultural and psychological nuances. The enduring fascination with Cleopatra lies not just in her story, but in her potent final act, a symbol of intertwined power, sexuality, and death.