Fact Check: Cleopatra was black

Fact-Check: "Cleopatra was black"

What We Know

The claim that "Cleopatra was black" is rooted in a complex historical and sociopolitical context. Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, is generally accepted by historians to be predominantly of Macedonian Greek descent, with some minor Iranian ancestry (Sogdian and Persian) (Wikipedia). The Ptolemaic dynasty, to which Cleopatra belonged, was known for its practice of sibling intermarriage, which often limited genetic diversity within the royal family.

Historically, Cleopatra's ethnicity has been debated, particularly in modern discussions that often retroject contemporary racial categories onto ancient figures. Scholars like Rebecca Futo Kennedy argue that such categorizations—like labeling Cleopatra as "Black" or "White"—are anachronistic and do not accurately reflect the complexities of identity in antiquity (Denison University).

In 2009, a BBC documentary suggested that Cleopatra might have had North African ancestry based on the examination of remains believed to be her sister Arsinoe IV. However, this claim has been largely discredited by scholars, who argue that the remains could not be definitively identified as belonging to Arsinoe, nor could they determine the race of the remains (Wikipedia).

Despite the speculation, the prevailing scholarly consensus remains that Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek heritage, with no credible evidence supporting the claim that she was "Black" in the modern sense of the term (ThoughtCo, NBC News).

Analysis

The debate over Cleopatra's racial identity is influenced by modern political and social contexts. Many scholars emphasize that ancient identities do not align neatly with contemporary racial categories. For instance, Kennedy notes that asking whether Cleopatra was "Black" or "White" misses the point, as these identities are modern constructs that did not exist in her time (Denison University).

Additionally, while some sources have attempted to link Cleopatra to African ancestry through speculative claims, these assertions often lack robust archaeological or historical support. For example, the hypothesis regarding the skeleton linked to Arsinoe IV has been thoroughly challenged, with subsequent studies disproving the identification altogether (Wikipedia).

The claim that Cleopatra was black is further complicated by the fact that the Ptolemaic dynasty's Greek heritage was well-documented, and the portrayal of Cleopatra in coins and sculptures aligns with a Greek aesthetic (Wikipedia, ThoughtCo).

While some modern portrayals and discussions may lean towards emphasizing a more inclusive representation of Cleopatra, they often do so without substantial historical backing. The desire for representation in media can sometimes overshadow the historical realities of figures like Cleopatra, leading to claims that may not hold up under scrutiny.

Conclusion

The claim that "Cleopatra was black" is Partially True. While there are arguments and some speculative claims regarding her potential African ancestry, the overwhelming consensus among historians is that Cleopatra was predominantly of Macedonian Greek descent. The complexities of her identity, however, reflect broader discussions about race and representation in contemporary society. Thus, while the claim has some basis in the ongoing debate about her ancestry, it does not fully align with the historical evidence available.

Sources

1. The Modern Racial Politics of Cleopatra | What's Happening
2. Ethnicity of Cleopatra
3. Cleopatra was Egyptian — whether Black or brown ...
4. The Legendary Cleopatra's Ethnicity | AncientPedia
5. Weighing the Evidence: Was Cleopatra Black?
6. Cleopatra was not Black, Egypt tells Netflix ahead of new ...
7. Was Cleopatra Black? Here's The Hard Truth About What We Know
8. Cleopatra's true racial background (and does it really matter?)