Ah, Cleopatra, the beguiling Queen of the Nile. A woman who has captivated audiences for centuries, her charm and wit managing to last longer than the pyramids themselves. But what if, alongside her famed asp, she had another weapon in her considerable arsenal: Snapchat? This fascinating fusion of the Pharaonic and the technological could have rewritten the pages of history. Now, dear readers, put on your metaphorical sceptre and let's explore this tantalising scenario.
The Selfie of the Nile
In this lush alternate reality, our favourite Egyptian empress isn't just lounging on her barge; she's on her phone, smartphone to be explicit, snapping some glamour shots with immersive filters that would make the Sphinx blush. Her followers would grovel, or rather scroll, to catch a glimpse of the majestic Cleopatra, perennially posing by papyrus or relaxing with a glass of fermented dates.
Imagine the infamous meeting between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Would it have started with a strategic story post? A glittering selfie with a caption like "Veni, vidi, vici 💁♀️ #RomeWasntBuiltInADayButThisLoveMightBe" might have crossed Cleopatra's mind. Oh, the envy it would have incited across the Roman world! Gladiators' social standings would crumble under the weight of this hashtag empire!
Sphinx-ting Insight
As we know, Cleopatra was not just a pretty face. Her intellect gleamed as brightly as the reflective waters of the Nile. With Snapchat, she could have snuck a peek beyond the pyramids, sharing updates on Alexandria's library recitations, eco-friendly chariot races, and, naturally, the latest gossip from the Egyptian courts.
The Snapchat Discover section in this parallel past is a pharaoh-phile’s dream, with stories centred around the latest innovations in hieroglyphics or the gripping tales of Nubian trade conquests. All graced by a plethora of sand-dusty desert filters that make modern sepia look like a washed-out sunburn.
The Rise of the Influencer Queen
One shudders, and yet laughs heartily, at the thought of Cleopatra as an influencer. Her snap stories could feature product endorsements from the most extravagant of Roman luxuries, ancient abh (always be hustling)…Perhaps the “asp-acral camps” might even reach viral status, sparking a "#SnakeCharmerChallenge."
Cleopatra's use of this ephemeral messaging would even alter alliances. She'd send Ceasefire Caesar a quick snap request of playful peace pacts, while keeping Mark Antony warm with late-night filters worthy of only the most illustrious lover.
Keeping Up with the Cleopatras
While her posting might be playful, Cleopatra’s messages would have political bite. Interactions that were never written into the annals might shift the allegiances of entire Mediterranean empires. One wistful snap about supply tax and suddenly, other regional rulers might fancy reducing Rome's influence one story view at a time.
SnapDrop the Mic
In this intriguing alternate history, Cleopatra rides waves of social media innovation as adeptly as she navigated the treacherous currents of the Nile. With Snapchat as her ally, she'd not only maintain her image but manipulate the very lenses others viewed her through, ensuring that, prying asp aside, she remains forever entwined in our historical imagination.
Perhaps the irony remains that, with all this digital dabbling, our modern gaze still cannot settle on Cleopatra without seeing her shadow on every screen we swipe. Would Snapchat have been a missed opportunity or Cleopatra’s final master stroke? I like to think she’d snap a story about it and leave us all guessing! 💫📜📲
