History, due to its fascinating variance from current day, is often reproduced in many types of media. When it comes to full immersion, however, the interactive nature of videos games allows for the most intimate experience. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series in particular prides itself on this adventurous aspect, as the series markets itself primarily through its historically-accurate characters and settings. The most recent installment in the series, Origins, plants the main character in ancient Egypt, where everything from the Great Pyramid of Giza to Ptolemy XIII’s palace is recreated. While enthusiastically shedding light on one of humankind’s most unknown eras, the game’s blinding discrepancies lie within the portrayal of the time’s key figures. Cleopatra is especially given little care, shown as an overtly promiscuous and substance-abusing seductress.

As early as her very first scene, Cleopatra is thoroughly undercut. She is introduced, accurately, as the pharaoh’s charming sister, and meets the main character at one of her many lavish parties. Most of the guests are jovial, soldierly men. She declares that she will sleep with any man at the gathering, so long as he agrees to be executed afterwards. This raises laughter among the crowd, but insinuates something else entirely: it seems that the offer has been made and accepted before. This scene, although humorous, illustrates an inaccurate picture of the woman. While she did host many social events, as expected of royalty, it is also unlikely that she offered herself to her guests in such a manner. Cleopatra, after the downfall of her brother, became pharaoh, and was therefore a queen; such behavior was below her. In fact, her only known lovers were Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, two political allies. Despite Origins claiming historical accuracy, Ubisoft lazily based the Queen of the Nile on the words of Augustus’ bitter smear campaign.

Another inaccurate scene showcases Cleopatra smoking opium. This is clearly erroneous because opium pipes were not invented during her lifetime. Additionally, though the woman was slandered for her promiscuity, there was never any propaganda about her drug abuse. She was closely associated with medicine, pharmacology, and even magical potions, but was free of substance abuse. If this was actually an issue, Augustus would have indefinitely belittled his enemy for it.

Despite her conspicuously sexual scenes, Origins does exhibit Cleopatra’s leadership abilities, showing her military prowess and control over the public opinion. Even so, her sexual power is painted as the central element of her authority. She is gradually cast as more of an exotic temptress than as a political operator who understood the demands of the throne. It is in this wrongful rendition of one of history’s most distinguished females that Assassin’s Creed: Origins falls short.