Cleopatra is said to be the most beautiful woman in the history of human race, who successfully ruled the hearts of the most powerful men of that time. Her beauty and aesthetic appeal has been a subject of discussion and an inspiration for art in popular Western culture. But did you know that the legendary saying can actually be just a myth? Again speculative, but many historians claim to say that Cleopatra was masculine-looking with thin lips, prominent chin and a long, hooked nose. This, they say, has been backed by images of the Queen that have been unearthed through the statues and coins of that era. However, beautiful or not, she was definitely the most tactful and intelligent leader of her times. Shrewd, powerful and authoritative, she acquired the throne at the tender age of 18, following the demise of her father and remained the ruler until her death. She married two of her brothers and was involved in the murder of two of her siblings, one brother and one sister, to safeguard the throne for herself and her son, Caesarion. It is interesting to note that in a male-dominated society, Cleopatra not only managed to hold the country together but served as a powerful leader as any of her male counterparts.