Even before her death Cleopatra VII became a sign or symbol for more than just the last Greek Queen from the east to succumb to the Roman Empire. Through the ages her image has undergone many changes reflecting the interests and anxieties of different cultures: for the Romans she was the archetypal "other"; for the middle ages she was the wanton woman; in the Renaissance she became the "tragick queene". In twentieth century America she continues to be all of these with the added roles of pulp fiction vamp, Egyptomaniacal beauty and afrocentrist heroine. This illustrated lecture will survey the image of Cleopatra in twentieth century American popular culture by looking at the ways she has been used in fiction, film, music, comics and advertising.