Octavian and Cleopatra by Louis Gauffier 1787
The love story of Mark Antony and Cleopatra is one of the most famous love stories of the time before Christ. After their defeat at the Battle of Actium that occurred in 31 BC, their last protection from their defeat against King Octavian was Egypt. As we all know, Cleopatra is said to be a queen who has a very beautiful face. In 30 BC, Egypt was involved in the Battle of Alexandria. These lovers lover died in the battle, most historians believe that the death of Cleopatra was suicide (though some historians believe in the death of Cleopatra due to murder). However, death was not able to separate them, some historical sources noted that they were buried together.
However, their burial location has never been found. Their death is still a mystery of history that has survived for nearly two thousand years and has not been solved until now. This is because the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony's tomb has not been found until now.
The death of Mark Antony
In Suetonius 'The Lives of Caesars, Augustus', the Roman writer records that Octavian forced Antony to commit suicide. Another case with Plutarch reveals another version of Antony's death in 'The Lives Parallel Antony'. In his work, the Greek historian states that Antony committed suicide after hearing false news that Cleopatra had died. After Antony's death, Octavian is eager to capture Cleopatra alive, for he wants to increase his power if he marries Queen Cleopatra
Octavian and Cleopatra by Louis Gauffier 1787
Death of Cleopatra
According to Plutarch, Cleopatra was better off dead in Egypt than taken alive by Octavian to Rome because she did not want to part with Antony. Plutarch took a part of the speech he made before the suicide:
"Although no one can separate us during our lifetime, but we die in different places, you are in Rome lying buried, while I, poor woman, are in Italy."
Meanwhile another Roman historian, Cassius Dio, recounts that another version of Cleopatra's death was by being paraded as a prisoner on the streets of Rome as "the fate of a thousand deaths", and this is the reason that Cleopatra tried to die by his own hands instead .
However, not everyone agrees that Cleopatra committed suicide. Another popular theory is that Cleopatra was killed by Octavian so he could seize power. Archaeologists are still trying to find Cleopatra's tomb to this day.
Historical Note Mentioning Them Was Buried Together
In another version, Octavian allegedly allowed Antony and Cleopatra to be buried together. According to Cassius Dio, "they were both embalmed in the same way and buried in the same grave".
In Suetonius' record, "He permits both of them to be buried with honor, and is buried in the same grave. He gave orders to his subordinates to make a grave for both of them. Plutarch adds that Octavian so admires Cleopatra, thus granting Cleopatra permission to be buried with Antony in the great burial rituals even though the tombs of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony have not been found.
Cleopatra's Tomb and Mark Antony's Lost
Until now the story of Antony and Cleopatra disappeared from history, without any hint of history that can be used to reveal the story of the two of them. It is possible that the tomb was not built as a great monument, so as not to be a trigger of resistance to Octavian in the future. Therefore, perhaps his tomb is considered unimportant, and not made a monument to be memorable by the people afterwards.
Despite the lack of information about their tombs, the story of Antony and Cleopatra remains a story passed down from generation to generation from generation to generation. Over the centuries, various circles have always thought about where and how exactly they are buried. For example, in the fifteenth century there was a French manuscript containing paintings of the tombs of Antony and Cleopatra. Based on ancient sources, these lovers are buried together. But on the contrary it is precisely contrary to the times, however this depiction depicts the tomb in European Gothic style.
Search the tomb of Cleopatra and Antony
The search for their tombs has not yet found a significant development. Some people speculate that Cleopatra was buried inside the palace where she had committed suicide. They assume this Palace is now under the sea, and the remnants of history about them both drowned on the seabed.
In 2009 Zahi Hawass claimed that the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra had been discovered, but after further research, it turns out that this site is a temple of Osiris known as Taposiris Magna (built during the reign of Ptolemy II), located west of Alexandria.
Taposiris Magna Osiris Temple
Speculation that the discovery is the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra is based on the discovery of the damaged Cleopatra statue along with 22 coins of Cleopatra, and Antony's mask of war. In addition, in this place also found 27 tombs and 10 mummies. Hawass's claim is questionable by many, one of which is the conclusion of an archaeologist who said that it is impossible Oktavianus buried his defeated enemy in a prestigious temple.
There are still many things that archaeologists have to do to discover the mystery of the deaths and burials of Antonius and Cleopatra.
more and more to learn the history more and more tau because history is not to be forgotten but to be remembered.
