Who killed Queen Cleopatra?

Answer 1

it is known that Cleopatra killed herself by inducing an Egyptian cobra to bite her.

Allegedly 'Pharaoh (Queen) Cleopatra VII Philopater' committed suicide after the defeat of her suitor Mark Antony by Octavius.

Depending on which myth you believe she either;

• Ate a poison fig.
• Killed herself by clutching an Asp (poisonous snake) to her breast

Historically there is no clear evidence on how she died since her body has not been found. The earliest version of the story is by the writer Strabo, who may have been a witness. He tells us that she died by an Egyptian Cobra bite.

In the Elizabethan period, the story was immortalised by William Shakespeare in his play 'Anthony and Cleopatra'.

It has been investigated and many scientists are leaning towards murder as an option, indirectly by Octavius.

They have timed out how long it would have taken from Cleopatra writing the suicide letter and Octavius finding her as no more than 5 minutes. The asp's poison, even if bitten multiple times would have taken an hour or more to kill Cleopatra.

So no one can be sure that she was murdered, or that it was suicide, but the asp story has flaws in it.

The latest theory regarding Cleo's death is that she committed suicide by taking a cocktail of three poisons. This research was carried out by a German professor. The story of the asp it a historical myth for several reasons, both biological and political.