Throughout the human race, we have had an obsession with sex and pleasure: some sought to restrict people's behaviors, while others lavished in the presence of hedonism.
Among these powerful dynasties, there existed Ptolemy XIV's Egypt, with Cleopatra VII often making her red carpet appearances. Known for her brilliance, notable fashion trends, makeup contributions and her dalliance with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, let's shine a spotlight on Cleopatra's pleasurable lifestyle.
Hollywood's obsession over Big, Red Lips has its origins in 48 BC. After assassinating her brother and husband, Ptolemy XIV, Cleopatra is known to have formulated the perfect Red Lip using Carmine dye. Carmine is manufactured from dried, ground remains of pregnant female cochineal insects, whose fatty flesh and eggs are red.
These cochineal insects live as parasites on the prickly pear cacti. In fact, in Egypt it was mandatory for people of a higher social stature to wear lipsticks. The most popular colors though, were orange, magenta and blue-black.
Mocked as the "Queen-Whore" by the Romans, in Cleopatra's company, wine and love flowed freely. She soon came to be known as "Cleopatra Cheilon" (thick lips) for using her fellatory talents (blowjob skills) on 100s of her guards.
In one of the texts, there is even mention of the Greeks calling her, "Meriochane" (she who gapes wide for 10,000 men).
One notable contribution to the world of sex toys was Cleopatra's own version of a vibrator.
Some stories mention a calabash (gourd) filled with angry bees, while others reference a papyrus box full of bees atop which this famous Queen would often be found lounging.
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