According to Plutarch, Cleopatra tested various deadly poisons on condemned people and concluded that the bite of the asp (from aspis—Egyptian cobra, not European asp) was the least terrible way to die; the venom brought sleepiness and heaviness without spasms of pain. read more
The story Cleopatra, ancient queen of Egypt, was killed by a snake bite is rejected by academics at the University of Manchester. The story Cleopatra, ancient queen of Egypt, was killed by a snake bite is rejected by academics at the University of Manchester. read more
No snake bit Cleopatra. There is a myth that an asp was used in her suicide, but that is only a myth. read more