Cleopatra Scarabs and lapis lazuli necklace N759

Cleopatra was known for her superlative personality, her wit, her intellect and her riveting conversation. She charmed two of the most powerful heroes of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. But Cleopatra was not just an icon of beauty, but an astute diplomat, multilingual, a true patriot who defended Egypt from the mighty neighbouring Romans and an epitome of undying love for Mark Antony.

She ruled Egypt in the first century B.C., after her father, Ptolemy XI1, died in 51 B.C. She used all her powers to save Egypt from the clutches of the powerful neighbouring Rome, even enchanting. Caesar and Mark Antony with her beauty and intellect to save her kingdom. After her suicide, by encouraging a snake to bite her, Egypt became a part of the Roman Empire.

I’ve made this necklace as a tribute to Cleopatra of lapis lazuli scarabs, a protective talisman against illness and evil. She loved lapis. Legend has it she would get her slaves to crush the stone to make eyeshadow. Legend also has it that she used the blood of her slaves to redden her lips!  I’ve also used carnelian for the afterlife, and Roman glass because of her connection there.