ISLAMABAD: Streaming giant Netflix has sparked controversy after the release of the trailer for its upcoming documentary titled “Queen Cleopatra”.
The trailer features American actress Jada Pinkett Smith portraying the final ruler of Egypt as a black woman, leading to criticism from social media users who claim that Cleopatra was not of African descent but rather of Greek origin.
An online petition has been circulating calling for the show’s cancellation, citing the need to preserve the history and integrity of Egyptians and Greeks. The petition states that Cleopatra was born in Alexandria, Egypt, to Greek descent and that her native language was Koine Greek.
While Cleopatra was the last queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, she was a descendant of the founder of the Macedonian Greek general Ptolemy I Soter and the Ptolemaic dynasty. Furthermore, Cleopatra was an ally of Alexander the Great and the only person who knew both Egyptian and Koine Greek languages.
Netflix yet to respond to backlash
The debate over Cleopatra’s race has been ongoing, with some experts suggesting that it is a complex issue. However, the BBC hinted at the possibility that she might have been of North African race after examining the headless skeleton of a girl in a 20 BCE tomb in Ephesus, believed to be the half-sister of Cleopatra Arsinoe IV.
The controversy has reignited discussions around the representation of historical figures in media and the importance of accuracy in historical depictions. Netflix has not yet responded to the backlash.
The controversy over the portrayal of Queen Cleopatra in the upcoming documentary has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many calling for greater attention to the accuracy and representation of historical figures.
