Another romantic myth bites the dust
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A Roman coin portrays Anthony and Cleopatra as no great beauties. Cleopatra has a shallow forehead, pointed chin and a sharp nose while Anthony has bulging eyes, a hook nose and a thick neck. I did read a bit about Anthony and Cleopatra when I was doing research for my Guide to Ancient Nicopolis. Nicopolis was built to commemorate the victory of Octavian against Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in western Greece. Cleopatra had an affair with Julius Caesar and bore him a son. However Julius Caesar had no legitmate heir, so named his newphew Octavian as his heir. However Anthony, as a celebrated general weilded considerable power and influence and Octavian had to power share with Anthony. Anthony married Octavian’s sister while conducting an affair with Cleopatra! I am not even sure it was a great love affair between Anthony and Cleopatra but it was certainly a good strategic alliance between Rome and Egypt
