by Autherine B. Smith

Created on: July 27, 2009

Cleopatra. The sound of her name comes out as if it were the beginning of a beautiful religious chant. Its pronouncement evokes both strength and softness, serenity and chaos.

Egypt became a portion of the Roman Empire on or about 31 B.C., upon the defeat of Antony and Queen Cleopatra, the Seventh, of Egypt, at the hands of Octavian in the Battle of Actium. Octavian, also known as Emperor Augustus, became the first Emperor of Rome.

Although Queen Cleopatra committed suicide upon the defeat, her name, legend, and spirit will forever remain upon the psyche, culture, art, and history of the Roman Empire. Even today, archaeologists in Egypt are actively searching for Queen Cleopatra's true burial site. Said to be still in her teens when she took to the throne, Queen Cleopatra's beauty and political machinations have risen to mythical proportions.

Perhaps, the most significant influence Queen Cleopatra had on the Roman Empire was in the area of art and inspiration toward a new creative culture, marrying Greco-Roman style with ancient Egyptian art and culture. Almost immediately, the style, sophistication, and awesome beauty of Egypt influenced the Roman Empire. For example, obelisks became fixtures in Roman architecture and sculpture. Obelisks are described in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as "(an) upright four-sided, usually monolithic, pillar that gradually tapers as it rises and terminates in a pyramid." Though not quite historically accurate in that it is not connected to Queen Cleopatra, the Seventh, of Egypt, this type of ancient Egyptian monument is now referred to as "Cleopatra's Needle".

Another Egyptian cultural export which became significant in the Roman Empire was papyrus. The Egyptians produced papyrus from a type of marsh plant grown along the Nile. Papyrus was created from the tissue inside of the plant stem. Ancient Egyptians wrote on sheets of papyrus which they rolled into scrolls. There is no doubt that many images of Queen Cleopatra, the Seventh, of Egypt, lived on in the Roman Empire in both stone and papyrus.

Queen Cleopatra left a great impression on the Roman Empire. First, she left an indelible image of women as strong, shrewd, and determined. Next, Queen Cleopatra inspired new interests in Egyptian culture. Finally, Queen Cleopatra's most concrete influence was left in the area of art history and the creation of a new art culture. Cleopatra will live forever in the art history of the Roman Empire.

References, The Associated Press, Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary, Ancient Egypt, Oakes & Gahlin

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