1. The death of Cleopatra has puzzled experts for centuries.
Legend has it that Cleopatra died in 30 B.C. using the painful method of suicide by a snake bite. However, several historians argue that the queen took her own life in a more conventional manner. Christopher Schaefer, a professor of ancient history at the University of Trier, told CNN that he is sure a snake was not to blame.
This German scholar argued that Cleopatra would not have chosen such an unreliable and torturous method to end her life. For one, an asp bite isn’t always fatal. And on the other hand, it can have gruesome effects, such as body paralysis. This supports Cassius Dio, a Roman historian who, two centuries after her death, wrote that Cleopatra had a “quiet and painless death.”
2. Cleopatra was not Egyptian.
Here’s a fact about Cleopatra that might surprise you more than any other: she wasn’t actually Egyptian. Yes, the Queen may be associated with the country, having ruled her Ptolemaic Kingdom for 21 years, but she was actually of Greek Macedonian royalty.
Cleopatra went to great lengths to convince her audience that she was one of them. She believed she was the living embodiment of the Egyptian goddess Isis and was one of the few figures in her dynasty to bother learning their language.
3. Her resting place remains a mystery.
Although Cleopatra’s final resting place has never been found, many historians argue that Alexandria was where the Queen was buried. This is, of course, the ancient city that sank deep into the Mediterranean waters over a millennium ago. However, an Indiana Jones-style archaeologist named Kathleen Martínez believes Cleopatra was actually buried under a temple.
The native of the Dominican Republic claims this was done to prevent the Romans from getting their hands on her body. She also proposed the theory that Cleopatra’s belief in being the reincarnated goddess Isis would have influenced her burial choice.
4. She married two of her brothers.
If you thought all the incestuous drama in “Game of Thrones” was extravagant, think again. After all, Cleopatra ended up marrying two of her younger brothers. Yes, the Queen ascended to the throne following her father’s death.
But she was only allowed to do so once she had a man to rule with. Eager to take her rightful place, Cleopatra decided not to look for a new suitor and simply married her brother Ptolemy XIII.
5. She was involved in the deaths of two brothers.
Cleopatra was certainly not a Queen you’d want to mess with. The ruler played a role in no less than three premature deaths of her siblings. First, she joined Julius Caesar in a civil war that resulted in the drowning of her younger brother, and husband, Ptolemy XIII in the Nile.
The latter had previously been responsible for expelling Cleopatra from her Egyptian home. He then, reportedly, had Ptolemy XIV, another brother she had married, killed so that her son could join her on the throne.
6. Her sister was also not safe.
We could describe Cleopatra as an equal-opportunity killer when it came to her siblings. Yes, she also helped eliminate her sister Arsinoe. Fearing the latter would try to snatch the throne, the ruthless ruler persuaded her lover Mark Antony to dispose of her in the most definitive manner.
He accepted her mission, killing Arsinoe in the temple she had been hiding in. This subsequently incurred even more wrath from the Romans due to the sacred location.
7. She and Mark Antony formed a drinking club.
Turns out Cleopatra knew how to have fun. Yes, the Queen liked nothing more after a day of ruling than to engage in the type of drinking binges that would make the cast of “Jersey Shore” look tame. In fact, she and Mark Antony even formed their own club to carry out all their hedonistic revelries.
And if you need more proof of how wild things could get, their group’s name was “The Inimitable Livers.” It was said that the couple peaked during the winter months of 41-40 BC.
8. Her appearance was a powerful political tool.
Cleopatra certainly knew how to work with what she had. She often used her sense of style to get what she wanted, both personally and politically. In an interview with Smithsonian magazine, Joann Fletcher, an Egyptologist and Cleopatra biographer, acknowledged that at least part of the mythology around the Queen’s appearance was grounded in reality.
She said, “Cleopatra was a master of disguise and costume. She could reinvent herself to suit the occasion, and I think that’s a mark of the consummate politician.”
9. She was not as beautiful as believed.
In early 2007, a coin depicting Cleopatra was displayed and is believed to date from 32 B.C. at Newcastle University. But the image was far from the beauty goddess portrayed in the movie by Elizabeth Taylor. Yes, with her pointy chin, thin lips, and a larger-than-average nose, Cleopatra looked, well, quite ordinary.
Apparently, this is a much more accurate portrayal, too. The ancient philosopher Plutarch once commented, “Her actual beauty… was not so striking that none could compare with her, or that no one could see her without being struck by her, but the interaction of her presence… was irresistible.”
10. She knew how to make a spectacular entrance.
Whether Cleopatra was a beauty goddess or not, she still knew how to instantly grab everyone’s attention. Take how she captivated Mark Antony, for example. In 41 B.C., the Queen arrived at a meeting with the Roman leader in style on a gold boat complete with silver oars and purple sails.
Cleopatra, who had based her look on the goddess Aphrodite, was also fanned by servants dressed to look like Cupid. As expected, Marc Antony was immediately smitten by Cleopatra’s flair for the theatrical.
11. She used cunning tactics to increase her political influence.
Forget all the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Republicans and Democrats: nothing can compare to Cleopatra’s tricks when it comes to cunning political tactics. In 48 B.C., the Queen wished to meet Julius Caesar in Alexandria without alerting her brother Ptolemy XIII and his henchmen.
In an inspired move, Cleopatra managed to smuggle herself into the Roman general’s quarters by rolling herself in a carpet delivered to his door. Caesar must have been deeply impressed, as soon the couple became partners both politically and romantically.
12. She was involved in a love triangle.
We could say Cleopatra’s love life was pure soap opera material. After the death of her first love, Julius Caesar, the Queen caught the eye of another political heavyweight, Mark Antony. The only problem was that he was already married. And when Fulvia found out about her husband’s indiscretions, she marched straight to her arch-rival Octavian to demand he be punished.
The plot thickened even more when Antony later married Octavia, Octavian’s sister, while still seeing Cleopatra. Things ended tragically when Antony took his own life after mistakenly believing the Queen had died.
13. She led a naval battle.
Cleopatra wasn’t afraid to do some dirty work herself. In 32 B.C., the Roman Senate, spurred by propaganda used by Octavian, declared they were waging war against the Queen. This was a development that culminated a year later in Actium.
During a naval battle, an entire fleet of Egyptian warships was personally led by the ruler alongside a fleet commanded by her lover Marc Antony. Unfortunately, Octavian’s opposition was too strong, and the couple had no choice but to cross enemy lines and flee to safety.
14. She spoke multiple languages.
It seems Cleopatra was something of a polyglot. As mentioned earlier, she was one of the few in her family to bother to learn Egyptian. In addition to her native Greek, she was also fluent in the languages of the Ethiopians, Syrians, Medes, Parthians, Jews, Arabs, and Troglodytes.
This allowed the Queen to read literature from all corners of the world, making her one of the most knowledgeable rulers of antiquity. Further evidence of her intelligence is the fact she also studied everything from mathematics and medicine to alchemy and astronomy.
15. Her language skills made her very popular.
Sure, Cleopatra might not have had Egyptian blood. But her willingness to learn the language and become even more familiar with the country’s traditions and customs made her a popular figure among its inhabitants.
For instance, she regularly commissioned artistic portraits in a style synonymous with Egypt and dressed in outfits according to its fashion. Proof that her patriotism was embraced by the public comes from an ancient text from 35 BC which praises the ruler as “Filopatris”, translating to “she who loves her country.”
16. Her eye makeup was used to prevent infections.
Cleopatra is famous for the black kohl makeup that not only outlined her eyes but also the sides of her face. As stylish as it might seem, this was not just for beauty reasons. The New York Times reported that the kohl was primarily designed to protect the eyes from infections.
This was a common problem in ancient Egypt, especially when the Nile overflowed and caused all kinds of water pollution. Cleopatra’s makeup of choice contained lead, a substance harmful to bacteria causing infections, but also carried the risk of poisoning.
17. We don’t have Cleopatra to thank for that iconic eyeliner look.
She may have popularized the black kohl look, but Cleopatra certainly can’t take all the credit for it. It was actually designed by Eiras, her personal stylist. Yes, even in ancient Egypt this was a profession.
Eiras was said to be the best in her industry at that time. Besides helping to highlight the Queen’s eyes by outlining them with makeup up to the temples, she was also a close friend. In fact, Cleopatra died in Eiras’ arms, and the duo stood side by side at the Battle of Actium.
18. She was not first in the line of succession to the throne.
Cleopatra may have taken on her role as Queen naturally, but she was not the first in line for the Ptolemaic dynasty’s throne. Her older sister, Berenice, was initially groomed to become the leader.
And she briefly assumed office, alongside mother Cleopatra VI Tryphaina, when her father fled to Rome. He ran from public fury after an economic recession. But on his return, he resumed his old post and, in an act that surely gave Cleopatra some ideas, ordered his own flesh and blood to be executed.
19. Forget beauty, it was her voice that captured hearts.
Whether or not Cleopatra was a conventional beauty, she still managed to win the hearts of both Mark Antony and Julius Caesar. According to the author of “Cleopatra: The Queen who Challenged Rome and Conquered Eternity”,
Alberto Angela, the latter was particularly enamored with her voice during their encounter in Greek. This claim is backed up by Cassius Dio’s summary of the same meeting. He wrote, “As soon as Caesar saw and heard her speak, he was immediately fascinated.”
20. She was a writer.
If you need further proof that Cleopatra had a higher intelligence than an average ruler, consider the fact that she wrote numerous academic works. Well, at least if you believe in several Arab sources.
The Queen was particularly adept when it came to writing about the medical and cosmetic worlds. One of her books is said to have included remedies for various hair problems, such as dandruff and alopecia. Sadly, there’s a noticeable lack of physical evidence of her academic endeavors.
21. She was an avid reader.
Although her talent for writing might be debatable, it’s widely accepted that Cleopatra was an avid reader. According to biographer Angela, she was a huge fan of the Greek poet Homer, and according to him as he told Reader’s Digest, the Queen could recite many of his works by heart.
Additionally, he added: “Cleopatra knew every corner of the library… Scholars and librarians probably knew her well, and sometimes perhaps forgot they had the Queen before them.”
22. She once spent $20 million on a cocktail.
Cleopatra was, without a doubt, extravagant. Legend has it that she once had a cocktail whose main ingredient was a pearl valued at 10 million sesterces, which some estimate to be worth around 20 million dollars today. Apparently, the expensive drink was part of a bet with Mark Antony about spending that amount on a single meal.
Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher, once explained: “She ordered the second course to be served. Following previous instructions, the servants placed in front of her only a vessel with vinegar. She removed an earring, dropped the pearl into the vinegar, and when it dissolved, she drank it.”
23. It is said that her daily bath required 700 lactating donkeys.
We can’t imagine L’Oréal promoting Cleopatra’s skincare routine anytime soon. The Queen reportedly tried to keep wrinkles at bay by bathing in sour donkey milk. Why, you ask? Well, here comes the scientific part.
The lactic acid produced by this substance can help remove the skin’s superficial layer, resulting in a much younger and blemish-free dermis. To ensure she had enough to fill a whole bathtub, Cleopatra required a supply of no fewer than 700 lactating donkeys.
24. She convinced Egypt she was the reincarnated goddess Isis.
It’s fair to say that Cleopatra had a taste for goddesses. She dressed as Aphrodite when she met Mark Antony for the first time. And apparently, she described herself as the reincarnation of Isis, who, according to Egyptian mythology, also married her brother for royal lineage purposes.
Whether Cleopatra truly believed this or not remains to be seen. But she tried to use it to win over the Egyptian public, a tactic that worked. Joining in on the act, her second lover, Mark Antony, also claimed to be the living embodiment of Isis’s brother, Osiris.
25. Her feminine charms diverted an entire invasion.
Proof that Cleopatra had Mark Antony wrapped around her finger came in 41 B.C., when he called off an invasion just to spend more time with her. He had planned to invade Parthia with an already assembled army until his lover apparently pleaded with him: “Make love, not war”.
Without hesitation, Antony headed straight back to his palace in Alexandria, where he spent the rest of the winter. During this downtime, several of his soldiers were attacked by the Parthians, while the woman he was actually married to, Fulvia, was forced to flee to Rome after a battle with Octavian. Oops!
26. Legend has it she used perfume to seduce Mark Antony.
Cleopatra certainly wasn’t leaving anything to chance when she first met Mark Antony. In addition to arriving on a golden barge for her introduction in Tarsus, the Queen also sprayed herself with an incredibly strong fragrance. As William Shakespeare poetically wrote later, her sails were “so perfumed that the winds became lovesick with them”.
Its characteristic scent has since been recreated by a research team using residues from ancient amphorae. Archaeologist Robert Littman of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa told the website Atlas Obscura: “This was the Chanel No. 5 of ancient Egypt. It was the most prized perfume of the ancient world.”
27. She was born of incest.
In addition to marrying not just one but two of her younger brothers, Cleopatra was also said to have been born of incest. In antiquity, the idea of marrying a relative was widely accepted. And the Ptolemaic dynasty certainly had no qualms about practicing such a custom.
Apparently, over a dozen family members entered into relationships with relatives. Though Cleopatra’s mother’s identity is not officially known, it’s very likely she was in some way related to her father, Ptolemy XII, by blood.
28. She tried, unsuccessfully, to cure Caesar’s baldness.
Cleopatra was quite experimental when it came to beauty practices, as Caesar found out at his expense. Yes, besides doing everything possible to keep her own long, silky hair, the Queen also set out to give her bald lover a new head of hair.
He created a blend of deer marrow and crushed horse teeth into a powder he hoped would work. When he failed to achieve the desired results, an apparently insecure Caesar chose to cover his hair loss with a laurel wreath.
29. She became queen while still a teenager.
While most teenagers only have to worry about their assignments, sports, and school crushes, Cleopatra spent her teenage years being prepared to rule. She eventually took power at the young age of 18 after the death of her father, Ptolemy XII.
The latter had been the driving force behind Cleopatra’s marriage to her younger brother, Ptolemy XIII, as he wanted both to rule together. But within less than a year, the Queen had apparently abandoned her brother to take full control of the crown.
30. She may have single-handedly lowered Rome’s interest rate.
If there had been a Forbes magazine in ancient Egypt, Cleopatra would definitely have topped its list of richest people. The Queen practically had more wealth than Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos combined.
According to some historians, she was responsible for reducing Rome’s interest rate by two-thirds. Yes, after the conquest of Egypt’s city following her death in 30 B.C., her bank balance was enough to reduce the rate to 4 percent, compared to the previous 12 percent.
31. Her three children with Mark Antony were raised by his widow.
Cleopatra had three children with her second lover, Mark Antony: Alexander Helios, Cleopatra Selene II, and Ptolemy Philadelphus. So, what happened to them once their parents took their own lives?
Well, in an act of remarkable generosity, it’s said that the trio was raised by Antony’s widow. Sadly, it is believed both of the couple’s sons died during their infancy. Cleopatra’s namesake, on the other hand, continued with the family business by ascending to the throne herself.
32. She knew how to enjoy her honeymoon.
As you might expect from a Queen who enjoyed a lifestyle of excesses, Cleopatra embarked on the honeymoon to end all honeymoons after marrying Caesar. The newlyweds took a love-filled cruise down the Nile. Biographer Angela believes this would have been a monumental event at the time.
He told Reader’s Digest, “Two of the most famous figures in history taking a romantic trip in one of the most fascinating places on the planet. It’s like something out of a novel. And yet, it really happened.” Cleopatra’s honeymoon with her second husband, Mark Antony, was even more extravagant, lasting an incredible six months!
33. She has been a pop culture figure.
Cleopatra has been portrayed on screen in everything from the historical action-adventure movie “The Serpent of the Nile” to animations like “Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra”, and even in the silent short film “Stealing Cleopatra’s Tomb”. Of course, her most notable portrayal was by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 eponymous biopic.
Despite its box office success, “Cleopatra” nearly bankrupted its studio due to its elaborate costumes and production design. In fact, at the time, it was the most expensive movie ever made. However, the Egyptian ruler remains a source of fascination for Hollywood.
34. She was daddy’s girl.
Ptolemy XII, Cleopatra’s father, hasn’t exactly gone down in the history books as a great ruler. Inspired by his hero Dionysius, he often was much more interested in showcasing his singing and flute-playing talents than in guiding his country through various economic and political hardships.
But that didn’t matter to her number one daughter. Cleopatra was extremely attached to her dad, so much so that she earned the nickname “Cleopatra Philopator”, which translates to “she who loves her father”.
35. She was the last Egyptian pharaoh.
Cleopatra might be one of the most famous members of the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt for over 5,000 years. But she also brought about its downfall. Yes, following the Queen’s suicide in 30 B.C., the nation she had presided over for 21 years became a province of the Roman Empire.
This marked the end of the era begun by Alexander’s reign in 336 BC and the last Hellenistic state in the Mediterranean. Cleopatra’s death also marked the end of a dynasty that had been in power for over 5,000 years.
36. Roman propaganda was against her.
It’s fair to say that Cleopatra did not receive the most flattering portrayals following her death in 30 B.C. And her arch-rival Octavian was largely to blame for her defamation. Witchcraft, political machinations, and sexual manipulation were just some of the accusations leveled against the Queen after her suicide.
The 2nd-century poet, Lucan, was particularly critical, describing her as “the disgrace of Egypt, the lascivious fury that would become Rome’s downfall”.
37. She probably was not as promiscuous as pop culture has made us believe.
Cleopatra is famous for using her sexuality to get what she wanted. But according to Joyce Tyldesley, a professor of Egyptology at the University of Manchester, the Queen wasn’t as promiscuous as movies and history books would have us believe.
In fact, Cleopatra only had two sexual partners in her entire life. Tyldesley told the BBC, “She wasn’t this glamorous seductress that filmmakers seem to like so much… But I think we like to see her that way: there’s something appealing about it, but it’s very unfair”.
35. She was the last Egyptian pharaoh.
Cleopatra might be one of the most famous members of the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt for over 5,000 years. But she also brought about its downfall. Yes, following the Queen’s suicide in 30 B.C., the nation she had presided over for 21 years became a province of the Roman Empire.
This marked the end of the era begun by Alexander’s reign in 336 BC and the last Hellenistic state in the Mediterranean. Cleopatra’s death also marked the end of a dynasty that had been in power for over 5,000 years.
36. Roman propaganda was against her.
It’s fair to say that Cleopatra did not receive the most flattering portrayals following her death in 30 B.C. And her arch-rival Octavian was largely to blame for her defamation. Witchcraft, political machinations, and sexual manipulation were just some of the accusations leveled against the Queen after her suicide.
The 2nd-century poet, Lucan, was particularly critical, describing her as “the disgrace of Egypt, the lascivious fury that would become Rome’s downfall”.
37. She probably was not as promiscuous as pop culture has made us believe.
Cleopatra is famous for using her sexuality to get what she wanted. But according to Joyce Tyldesley, a professor of Egyptology at the University of Manchester, the Queen wasn’t as promiscuous as movies and history books would have us believe.
In fact, Cleopatra only had two sexual partners in her entire life. Tyldesley told the BBC, “She wasn’t this glamorous seductress that filmmakers seem to like so much… But I think we like to see her that way: there’s something appealing about it, but it’s very unfair”.
38. She considered herself very intelligent.
One of the reasons Cleopatra was favored by her father over her siblings was her superior intelligence. Besides a strong academic pedigree, the Queen was also a skilled communicator and a talented diplomat. As a result, she was able to converse with some of the most respected scholars of her time.
Cleopatra’s high level of education was unusual for a woman at the time. And even two millennia later, she is still widely regarded as one of the smartest leaders in world history.
39. She stole gold from Alexander the Great’s tomb.
Cleopatra might have had riches beyond anyone’s wildest dreams in antiquity. But she still occasionally indulged in some thievery. And she certainly aimed high. The Queen is said to have pocketed some gold during a visit to Alexander the Great’s tomb to fund her war against her arch-enemy and future Emperor Octavian.
She wasn’t the only one who engaged in such criminal activities: Alexander’s mausoleum was regularly looted by light-fingered visitors pretending to pay their respects.
40. he liked to play jokes.
Who knew that Cleopatra was basically ancient Egypt’s version of Ashton Kutcher? The ruler apparently enjoyed playing pranks in her spare time, even on her lovers. In one instance, she decided to get revenge after Mark Antony tried to convince her he was an experienced fisherman.
While on a boat trip with friends, she ordered a servant to discreetly place some salted herrings on her partner’s hook. When an excited Antony reeled in his ‘catch’, Cleopatra burst into laughter before commenting, “Imperator, leave your fishing rod to the fishermen of Faros and Canopus; your sport is hunting cities, kingdoms, and continents”. I guess you had to be there.
41. Her dynasty did not last long.
In 25 B.C., Cleopatra Selene II, Cleopatra’s daughter, married Juba II, and they became the new rulers of Mauretania. They renamed the city of Iol to Caesarea Mauretaniae and made it their capital.
But her reign didn’t last long. Cleopatra Selene II passed away in 5 BC, and her husband followed in 23 or 24 AD. Their son Ptolemy assumed the throne after this, but he was executed by Emperor Caligula in 40 AD. Ptolemy was the last direct descendant of Cleopatra to hold office.
42. The cult of Cleopatra was a reality.
Cleopatra, despite having lived and reigned for a relatively brief period in history, left a lasting imprint on the world that transcends both the people of her time and subsequent generations. Her legacy endures through time and collective memory, showcasing her lasting impact on history. A poignant example of her lasting influence is the continued cult that was maintained for four centuries after her passing.
An Egyptian author, in the context of the Book of Isis, provided a revealing testimony of this phenomenon, describing how Cleopatra’s figure was venerated to the point of being overlaid with gold, thus highlighting the admiration and devotion that this extraordinary queen continued to inspire long after her disappearance. Her legacy became a symbol of power, beauty, and cunning that stood the test of time, an eternal reminder of her influence and charm in human history.
43. Some believe her importance has been exaggerated.
In recent years, a debate among historians has arisen that challenges the traditional perception of Cleopatra as an influential member in ancient Egyptian society. Noted historian Ronald Syme has offered a perspective that challenges the conventional narrative, arguing that Cleopatra might have had a less significant role in Caesar’s rule than historically claimed, suggesting that the image forged of her could be heavily influenced by the propaganda of the time.
This critical review of her political role raises important questions about how history has been shaped and reinterpreted over time. Moreover, it has been pointed out that her status as a woman in a male-dominated world might have contributed to the magnification of her reputation since her rise to power defied the gender norms of the time, in turn, making her more notable in history. This ongoing debate illustrates how perceptions of historical figures can evolve over time as sources are re-evaluated and new perspectives are considered.
44. Her status in pop culture has distorted public perception of her.
As previously mentioned, Cleopatra has held a prominent place in popular culture for centuries. Even long before Hollywood made movies about her, there were Renaissance paintings that portrayed her. However, there’s a significant gap between these artistic depictions and the historical record, which isn’t as solid as the artworks and fictional portrayals might suggest. This lack of concrete and verifiable data about her life and reign has led fictional versions of Cleopatra, like Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic big-screen portrayal, to have a lasting impact on the popular perception of history.
These artistic and cinematic representations, often idealized or dramatized, have greatly influenced Cleopatra’s public image, at times overshadowing the complexity of her historical figure and generating myths and stereotypes that persist in popular culture to this day. This dichotomy between historical reality and the fictional representation of Cleopatra highlights how the interpretation of historical figures can be shaped by imagination and creativity over time, often deviating from concrete historical facts.
45. Cleopatra had her own coins.
It’s fascinating to see how archaeologists have managed to uncover a series of coins dating from all the years Cleopatra held the title of Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, and it’s equally intriguing to note that her image and name are depicted on some of these coins. This singularity in coin issuance sets her apart, as she was the only ruler in the region at her time to have the privilege of minting her own coins, reflecting her influence and power in the region.
But what adds an even more extraordinary element to this numismatic story is that Cleopatra became the first foreign queen to have her own coins in Egypt. This fact not only underscores her prominent status as a ruler but also suggests the possibility that she might have influenced Julius Caesar to adopt a similar practice of minting coins with his effigy. These numismatic findings provide a fascinating window into Cleopatra’s world and her role in the monetary history of Egypt and Rome.
46. Her tomb is still missing.
It’s surprising, perhaps, considering Cleopatra’s fame, that Cleopatra VII’s tomb has never been found. She died by suicide in 30 B.C., and many have assumed she was buried alongside Mark Antony. But the location of that tomb remains a mystery.
The Egyptian Antiquities Service has said they believe it is somewhere near a temple in Taposiris Magna. However, there have been numerous searches for the tomb, and all have come back empty-handed.