The burial place of Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII from 30 BC has not been found. It is believed to be in Alexandria, Egypt. Historians Suetonius and Plutarch recorded that the Roman leader Octavian allowed them to be buried together after defeating them. Their children who survived were sent to Rome to live as Roman citizens. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities believes the tomb may be inside or near a temple called Taposiris Magna, located southwest of Alexandria.

Historical sources

Throughout history, many people have written about the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra. Plutarch said the tomb was near a Temple of Isis. Plutarch and Cassius Dio wrote that Cleopatra VII traveled between her palace and the tomb during her final days. Strabo and John (Bishop of Nikiu) described her palace as being on the island of Antirhodos. Plutarch and Suetonius stated that Augustus finished the unfinished tomb and buried Cleopatra VII and Marc Antony together in a royal manner. Cassius Dio wrote that the top part of the mausoleum near the roof was not completed when Cleopatra died, and that Cleopatra and Antony were both embalmed in the same way and buried in the same tomb.

Archaeologist Franck Goddio has studied the bay of Alexandria for 25 years using special tools to find structures. His research showed many Ptolemaic buildings hidden under at least 16 feet of water, with some covered by even more sediment. He identified the submerged island of Antirhodos and found remains of a palace containing items from Cleopatra VII’s time, as well as an Isis temple. So far, only the Temple of Isis has been located in Alexandria.

Goddio believes Cleopatra VII’s mausoleum is on the submerged island of Antirhodos, between the palace and the Isis temple.

In fiction

William Shakespeare, influenced by Plutarch, mentions the practice of being buried together in the words of his character Caesar (Octavian) in the final lines of his play Antony and Cleopatra (Act V, Scene II):

"She shall be buried by her Antony. No grave upon the earth shall hold them together, a pair so famous."

Exploration and discovery efforts

Many searches for the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra have happened.

Excavations to find Cleopatra’s tomb were led by Kathleen Martínez at Taposiris Magna, a temple to Osiris located west of Alexandria, Egypt. Martínez believes Cleopatra was first buried by Octavian in Alexandria, as historical records show. However, she suggests that after the mummification process was complete, priests at Taposiris Magna buried Cleopatra and Mark Antony in a different place without Roman permission. Her reasoning for focusing on Taposiris Magna includes its dedication to Osiris:

Martínez believes that Cleopatra’s death was a religious event of great importance, carried out in a spiritual ceremony. She negotiated with Octavian to allow Mark Antony to be buried in Egypt, as she wished to be buried with him. This decision was inspired by the legend of Isis and Osiris, a religious belief that grants immortality. According to this belief, Cleopatra and Antony would live together in another form of existence, achieving eternal life.

Discoveries from the late 2000s included ten mummies in 27 tombs of Egyptian nobles, coins with Cleopatra’s image, and carvings showing Cleopatra and Antony embracing. The actual tomb has not yet been found, but excavations continue. In 2011, ground-penetrating radar identified additional sites below the temple.

In January 2019, controversy arose when Zahi Hawass, an Egyptologist, spoke at a conference in Palermo, suggesting the tomb might soon be found. Hawass later denied this in a newspaper article, stating that the idea of the tomb being at Taposiris Magna was Martínez’s, not his. He claimed that temples were used for worship, not burials, and that Cleopatra was unlikely to be buried there. However, this view contradicts historical evidence, as some pharaohs, such as rulers from the 21st and 22nd Dynasties and the king Harsiese, were buried near or inside temples.

In early November 2022, Martínez’s team discovered a tunnel 1,300 meters long near the Taposiris Magna temple, which may lead to Cleopatra’s tomb.

The search also aims to find Antony’s mummy, despite a report by Plutarch that Antony was cremated. Plutarch wrote that after learning of Antony’s cremation, Cleopatra asked Octavian to allow her to pour offerings at his tomb. She then embraced the urn holding his ashes and was carried to the tomb.

Tomb contents

It is likely that the tomb contains only human remains.

When Octavian approached Alexandria, Cleopatra VII went to her tomb:

…she built a tomb and monument that was very tall and beautiful, near the temple of Isis. She gathered there the most valuable treasures, including gold, silver, emeralds, pearls, ebony, ivory, and cinnamon. She also placed large amounts of torchwood and tow in the tomb. This made Octavian worried and concerned that Cleopatra might become desperate and set the treasures on fire.

— Plutarch, The Life of Antony

Octavian wanted to take the treasures and capture Cleopatra alive to use her in his victory parade:

Caesar wanted not only to take the treasures but also to capture Cleopatra and bring her back for his triumph.

— Cassius Dio, Roman History

The Romans eventually entered the tomb (Plutarch, Cassius Dio), and Octavian took the treasure:

Many treasures were found in the palace. Cleopatra had taken offerings from even the holiest shrines, helping the Romans gain riches without causing disrespect. Large amounts of money were collected from people accused of wrongdoing. Others had two-thirds of their property taken, even if no charges were made against them. Soldiers received what they were owed, and those with Octavian at the time got an extra 1,000 sesterces if they did not loot the city. Loans were repaid, and large sums were given to senators and knights who helped in the war. In the end, the Roman Empire became richer, and its temples were decorated.

— Cassius Dio, Roman History