Why do some people say that Cleopatra VII was black?

This is an interesting question, and one that I don't think the previous 13 answers do justice. First, we have to acknowledge, as hasn't really been done, that races like white, black, etc. read more

Cleopatra VII is usually just known as Cleopatra though she was the seventh royal Egyptian ruler to bear the name Cleopatra. She was the last of the Ptolemy dynasty to rule Egypt. She, like many other Ptolemy rulers, first married one brother and then, on his death, another. read more

Her ancestors were Ptolemies, descended from one of Alexander’s generals. Cleopatra was a name traditionally given to women in the royal family, so, as you indicated, there were in fact previous Cleopatras. The one in question here was Cleopatra VII, daughter of Ptolemy XII and his sister (ewww). read more