Ah, ancient Egypt, a land of mystery and splendour, where pharaohs reigned and pyramids touched the sky. But imagine if the wisest of them all, Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, had access to that marvel of modern technology, Instagram. Would she have used it to immortalise her reign? To rivet Rome with reels? Perhaps to hashtag herself into history? Let’s unravel this sociocultural sphinx of a scenario.
Influencing Ancient Rome
Cleopatra, famed for her beauty, her intellect, and her equally notable alliances with the likes of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, was no stranger to the power of presentation. Had she, perchance, possessed an Instagram account, one can only imagine the influencer empire she might have established. Picture it now: feeds filled with opulent banquets, majestic processions, and candid shots of the Nile at sunset #Blessed.
The stories of her legendary entrances into Rome and her encounters with high society could have been captured in a series of stunning stories. Glorious filters would enhance her regal splendour, ensuring her iconic image spread faster than a kneeling centurion at her feet. "Literally ruled my world today," would read her caption, "#SorryCaesaredNotSorry".
Filters and Pharaohs
With each post, Cleopatra would redefine aesthetic paradigms. Why pander to petty politics when you can filter? Her famed eyeliner, khol beyond compare, would spark the "#CleopatraChallenge", encouraging followers to perfect the art of pharaonic eye make-up. Influencers today have nothing on Cleopatra’s likely sponsorship deals with Egyptian kohl producers.
Moreover, she'd certainly invent a 'Royal Filter,' offering followers a taste of turquoise and gold majesty with the flick of a smartphone fleshp. Cleopatra, the OG (Original Goddess) of 'good vibes only.'
Seductively Social
Let's talk communication. Cleopatra was a polyglot, a conversationalist par excellence. Would her DMs be more crowded than Rome in a chariot race? Quite likely. Whether wooing foreign dignitaries or sweet-talking senators, Cleopatra's direct messages would hum with activity, her charm and charisma leaping off the screen as it once did from the throne.
Benefiting from those handy geo-tags, she could pinpoint her influence; a quick #Throwback to her divine descent might've given her a few hundred extra thousand followers with each story.
Viral Campaigns of a Queen
Let's not forget her political acumen. Cleopatra's savvy navigation of power, even under the looming scrutiny of Rome, could have been magnified with Instagram’s wide reach. Campaigns centred around her divine rule could've gone viral overnight. "#KissThePurchase" might have paired perfectly with an engaging narrative about Egypt's bountiful harvests.
She may even have promoted collaborations with leading rulers via sponsored content, just imagine: "Today’s content is brought to you by our friendly neighbours, Rome. Strength through unity, and Julius, you owe me dinner. #CleopatraAndCo"
Preserving the Papyrus
Importantly, Cleopatra could have archiving benefits. Although rolls of papyrus were the earlier equivalent of databases, digital permanence through the grid would provide her story timeless resilience. Memories that were once painted on stone and papyrus would now be etched in the annals of the cyber-community for digital posterity.
A Historical Legacy
As we scroll through the fecund phantasm of Cleopatra's hypothetical feed, we see a possibility where history breathes within the same screen we connect to the world with today. While she held her own in the undulating waves of ancient tides, a smartphone would only add more ripples of influence to her already legendary status.
Realistically, this intriguing combination of history and technology raises questions: If social media had existed in ancient times, how would it have altered the course of events? Would Cleopatra's potential as a digital diva have shifted power balances with her tales, hashtags, and portraits? Who knows? But one can be certain, hers would be a feed worth following.
