Mind-Benders of Jewish History
Cleopatra and Herod the Great knew each other
The most famous queen of Egypt and the king who rebuilt the Second Beis HaMikdash weren't just alive at the same time — they dealt with each other directly, sparring over land through Mark Antony.
How we know
Cleopatra VII 69–30 BCE (reigned 51–30 BCE); Herod the Great c. 73–4 BCE (reigned from 37 BCE). Antony transferred Judean territory (the Jericho balsam groves) to Cleopatra, which Herod then leased back.
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.