How did the Romans know that Cleopatra was black?

 There is no historical evidence to suggest that Cleopatra, the famous queen of Egypt, was black. Cleopatra was of Macedonian Greek descent, belonging to the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt after the conquest of Alexander the Great. Her ancestry can be traced back to Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander's generals, who became the ruler of Egypt after Alexander's death.

Cleopatra's physical appearance is described in ancient sources as being of Greek or Macedonian descent, with features typical of those ethnicities. Ancient artworks, coins, and descriptions from her time depict her as having a Hellenistic appearance, which aligns with her ancestry.

The idea that Cleopatra was black likely stems from more recent interpretations and depictions of her in popular culture, which have sometimes sought to emphasize her African heritage or racial diversity. However, there is no historical basis for such assertions, and they do not align with the available evidence from ancient sources.