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Cleopatra and Anthony bodies not found?

• Message 1.Μύ

  Posted by Rachel (U5769524) on Sunday, 24th September 2006

  Has anyone found their graves?
  What proof is there that they died in that way?
  Could they have not escaped and their servants made up the romantic death stories?
  Does anyone know the facts of what proof was found that described how they died and if so, why have I heard nothing about the location of their graves. Have they been washed over by the sea in Alex?
  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Sunday, 24th September 2006

  
  Has anyone found their graves?
  Μύ
  No.
  
  What proof is there that they died in that way?
  Μύ
  There was no inquest on the bodies, if that's what you mean.
  
  Could they have not escaped and their servants made up the romantic death stories?
  Μύ
  Yes. But unlikely given the political threat their existence would have meant to the new regime.
  
  Does anyone know the facts of what proof was found that described how they died and if so, why have I heard nothing about the location of their graves.
  Μύ
  You have heard nothing of their graves because no one has been able to assemble evidence of how or where the bodies were interred, if even they were. See the inquest point above for comment on how they died.
  
  Have they been washed over by the sea in Alex?
  Μύ
  Only if that's the area in the palace complex where they were buried, if even they were.
  
  WHAT DO YOU THINK?
  Μύ
  They died. Their bodies were disposed of. The new regime couldn't give a toss about them as long as they were off the political stage.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Sunday, 24th September 2006

  Hi Joxer,
  
  I rather think that cremation was the normal Roman burial ritual at that time. That being so, and atoms, wind and time being what they are, you probably inhale hundreds of molecules from Cleopatra's body every time you breath in. And a few from the asp, of course.
  
  TP

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• Message 4

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  Posted by DopeyFrances (U6235658) on Saturday, 21st October 2006

  This is an interesting question. I had not thought of it before. It makes you wonder, if history is written by the winners, if what we read is the truth.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Richie (U1238064) ** on Saturday, 21st October 2006

  Joxer,
  
  Given the nature of the people concerned I doubt very much that they would have retired with grace to some far flung region to live out life in poverty. Cleopatra was from a house well used to fleeing and then buying their return to power. Octavian changed the rules on that. Rome ruled the eastern sea, it ruled Asia (anatolia) it ruled Cyprus and Syria (though not Palestine IIRC) it ruled north Africa. Where would she go for allies in reclaiming her throne which as a GOd she could not just abandon?
  
  Mark Anthony, A Roman. Dignatus is all. Without that why live? Far better to die nobley than to live in ignomy.
  
  Cleos' mausoleum was in Alexandria I beleive but Octavian was hardly likely to let her rest there.
  
  However it is mostly supposition

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 25th October 2006

  Agreed with Twinprobe on this.
  
  Cremation was the Roman soldier's way of getting rid of the body. He'd have been cremated, and so, no trace. Cleo on the other hand would probably have gone for the "full Egyptian" or whatever had survived of the mummification process by that time, and as other have said, Octavian was rather annoyed at that time, and wouldn't have left her in peace, he'd have destroyed the tomb.
  
  Lastly, most of Cleopatra's Alexandria is, as the original poster assumed, under the Mediterranean now, so although Egyptians were good at preserving the dead, I doubt they've managed to keep a body earthquake proof or capable of surviving hundreds of years under the sea.

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