Once an embodiment of the fears of the Roman Empire, Cleopatra is now a subject remembered by Hollywood not for her position as a great ruler – but for the losses love granted her. In analysing why this is, first we must look to what little historical evidence remains and how this contributes to the portrayals we see today. Furthermore, these must be evaluated paying close attention to the motivations behind their production – these are significant in analysing changing perceptions throughout time towards the Ancient Queen. Ultimately, this will serve as a reflection of how different times and cultures use the story of Cleopatra to manipulate the reputations of powerful women. Unfortunately, there is little certainty to Cleopatra’s tale;