Yes, Cleopatra was of Greek descent rather than Egyptian. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which Ptolemy I Soter, a general of Alexander the Great, founded. The Ptolemies were of Greek Macedonian origin and ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years after Alexander’s conquest. Despite the ruling in Egypt, they maintained their Greek heritage, language, and customs, rarely intermarrying with native Egyptians.
Cleopatra VII, the most famous member of the dynasty, was the first Ptolemaic ruler to learn the Egyptian language and embrace certain local traditions to strengthen her connection with the Egyptian people. This helped her cultivate an image as both an Egyptian pharaoh and a Hellenistic queen.
Though her ancestry was primarily Greek, Cleopatra’s ability to bridge cultural identities contributed to her lasting legacy as a powerful and enigmatic ruler of ancient Egypt. While often depicted in popular culture as an exotic Egyptian figure, her lineage is undeniably Greek Macedonian.
