Greek History Community

If and Buts of Questionable History: Was Cleopatra actually beautiful?

1 - 5 of 5 Posts
Hash

Hash

Well-known member
Now here's an interesting discussion to be had..... This is from Thailand.... What are the views about our Greek community?
www.pattayamail.com

Questionable History: Was Cleopatra actually beautiful? - Pattaya Mail

Was Cleopatra actually beautiful? There are many myths about the last pharaoh of Egypt. To start with, she was Greek not Egyptian and there had been six previous queens with the same name. It is not clear that she committed suicide with an asp as her Roman enemy Octavian (later the emperor...
www.pattayamail.com www.pattayamail.com
 
Hash said:
Now here's an interesting discussion to be had..... This is from Thailand.... What are the views about our Greek community?
www.pattayamail.com

Questionable History: Was Cleopatra actually beautiful? - Pattaya Mail

Was Cleopatra actually beautiful? There are many myths about the last pharaoh of Egypt. To start with, she was Greek not Egyptian and there had been six previous queens with the same name. It is not clear that she committed suicide with an asp as her Roman enemy Octavian (later the emperor...
www.pattayamail.com www.pattayamail.com
Click to expand...
Im assuming that what is considered "beautiful" has changed a lot over time, because it changes from country to country. So it is pretty hard to tell..what do you think?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hash
nm1999 said:
Im assuming that what is considered "beautiful" has changed a lot over time, because it changes from country to country. So it is pretty hard to tell..what do you think?
Click to expand...
Very much so! Beauty is in Eye of the beholder, here with Cleopatra we can see that the image creaters have made here very attractive and seductive for the movies,we all know in real life she was very different,as she had a reputation of being ruthless,I am not well informed about History or Mythology but the treatment which Julius Caesar got from her tells a few tales.Coming back to beauty and beautiful people I have seen so many in Mykonos having lived many years,and as you rightfully say it varies with each country.We were just discussing this yesterday that we have some younger generation singers who are so very stunning and creative in dancing etc,who might not appeal to folks living in the West!
 
  • Like
Reactions: greggd12
Hash said:
Very much so! Beauty is in Eye of the beholder, here with Cleopatra we can see that the image creaters have made here very attractive and seductive for the movies,we all know in real life she was very different,as she had a reputation of being ruthless,I am not well informed about History or Mythology but the treatment which Julius Caesar got from her tells a few tales.Coming back to beauty and beautiful people I have seen so many in Mykonos having lived many years,and as you rightfully say it varies with each country.We were just discussing this yesterday that we have some younger generation singers who are so very stunning and creative in dancing etc,who might not appeal to folks living in the West!
Click to expand...
I always imagined her being timelessly beautiful, not in a sexy way but in a regal and royal type of way
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hash
greggd12 said:
I always imagined her being timelessly beautiful, not in a sexy way but in a regal and royal type of way
Click to expand...
Her powers and authority were her beauty,I think and her charm!and charisma...❤️
 
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Learning About Ancient Corinth

I’m hoping to visit the ruins of Ancient Corinth on a future trip to Greece, and I’d like to learn more about the history before I go. I always find that I appreciate archaeological sites more when I understand what I’m looking at and know some of the stories behind the ruins.

For those who have visited Ancient Corinth, what would you recommend learning about beforehand? Are there particular periods of the city’s history, important events, or historical figures that help put the site into context? I know Corinth had an important location and a long history, but I’d like to understand more about how the city developed and changed over time.

I’d also love recommendations for books, documentaries, podcasts, or other resources that give a good introduction to Ancient Corinth. What helped you understand the site and its history before or after your visit?

Themistocles: Hero, Politician, or Master Strategist?

This weekend I met someone named Themistocles, which immediately caught my attention. We ended up having a conversation about the famous Athenian statesman and general, and it got me thinking more about his place in Greek history.

Themistocles is often credited with recognizing the importance of naval power and helping secure the Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis. Without his foresight and strategy, the Persian Wars may have had a very different outcome. At the same time, he was also a politician who made powerful enemies and was eventually ostracized from Athens.

It made me wonder how people today view him. Was he primarily a hero who helped save Greece, a brilliant politician navigating a difficult era, or one of history's greatest military strategists? I'd love to hear your thoughts on his legacy and whether you think he gets the recognition he deserves.

How Democratic Was Athenian Democracy?

I’ve been studying the democracy of Athens lately, and I find it fascinating that such an influential system didn’t actually last very long in its original form. It’s often described as the birthplace of democracy, and yet when you look closely, it seems both groundbreaking and limited at the same time.

On the one hand, the idea of citizens participating directly in decision-making was radical. On the other hand, citizenship excluded women, enslaved people, and foreigners, which dramatically narrowed who had a voice. It makes me wonder how “democratic” it really was by its own standards, let alone ours.

I’m also curious how stable it truly felt at the time, given the political upheavals and eventual decline.

For those who’ve studied this period more deeply, how do you interpret Athenian democracy? Do you see it as a bold experiment that laid the groundwork for modern systems, or as something far more fragile and constrained?

Daily Life in Ancient Athens?

When I visited Athens recently, I spent a lot of time walking around the ancient sites like the Acropolis of Athens and the Ancient Agora of Athens. Seeing the ruins up close was incredible, but it also made my imagination wander.

As I walked through the Agora and looked up at the Acropolis, I kept wondering what daily life was actually like in Ancient Athens. What did an ordinary day look like for people who lived there? Were the streets busy with merchants and philosophers debating ideas? What kinds of foods were people cooking, and how did families spend their evenings?

It’s easy to think about the big historical moments or famous figures, but I’m really curious about everyday life. What were homes like, how did people spend their time, and what might a normal day have looked like for the average Athenian? I’d love to hear any insights or resources people recommend!

Why does the Battle of Thermopylae still capture so much attention?

The Battle of Thermopylae is one of those moments in Greek history that still seems to capture people's attention thousands of years later. The story of Leonidas and the small Greek force standing against the much larger Persian army has become a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resistance against overwhelming odds.

Of course, the real history is more complicated than the legend, and Thermopylae was only one part of the larger Greco-Persian Wars. Still, there is something powerful about the idea of people choosing to hold their ground even when they know the outcome may not be in their favor.

I also think modern books, movies, and popular culture have helped keep the story alive, sometimes blending history with mythology. Why do you think the Battle of Thermopylae still fascinates people so much? Is it the history itself, the symbolism, or the legend that grew around it?
Share and discuss Greek history!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top