Page "Cleopatra VII" Paragraph 39

Cleopatra was regarded as a great beauty, even in the ancient world.

In his Life of Antony, Plutarch remarks that " judging by the proofs which she had had before this of the effect of her beauty upon Caius Caesar and Gnaeus the son of Pompey, she had hopes that she would more easily bring Antony to her feet.

For Caesar and Pompey had known her when she was still a girl and inexperienced in affairs, but she was going to visit Antony at the very time when women have the most brilliant beauty.

" Later in the work, however, Plutarch indicates that " her beauty, as we are told, was in itself neither altogether incomparable, nor such as to strike those who saw her.

" Rather, what ultimately made Cleopatra attractive were her wit, charm and " sweetness in the tones of her voice.