German scientists have denied the version that the Egyptian tsarina Cleopatra VII has died of a sting from a poisonous cobra. But
a group of scientists, under the direction of the professor of history Christopher Shepher has concluded that the tsarina has committed suicide, having accepted a cocktail of opium, hemlock (lat. Conium maculatum) and aconite (lat. Aconitum monkshood), the painless death from which comes within several hours.
Earlier it was considered that she had intentionally allowed herself to be bitten by a poisonous snake cobra; however, scientists have denied this version, arguing that the tsarina, known for her beauty, hardly would begin to subject herself to painful death, during which stains would disfigure her body. "Such mix leads to death of the person within several hours without any pain and without change of appearance. Tsarina Cleopatra was famous for her beauty and consequently hardly would subject herself to such long agony which besides would spoil her appearance, which causes a sting of the snake, - says Christopher Shepher . - According to documents, Cleopatra wished to remain beautiful after death to keep a myth about herself. Most likely, Cleopatra died of a fatal cocktail from opium and poisonous plants: hemlock (lat. Conium maculatum) and aconite (lat. Aconitum monkshood)".
In the work, researchers have studied archival documents of that time according to which Cleopatra was born in 69 B.C. and died on August, 12th 30 years B.C., in particular the materials of ancient historians concerning Cleopatra, and a note of the Egyptian doctors. After consulting with experts who study snakes, Shepher and his colleagues have concluded that the sting of a cobra is hardly the cause of the well-known Egyptian. Actually, it was a drug overdose.
