Foxy schemer, peccant diva, pop culture icon - Ancient Egypt's last ruler, Cleopatra, perpetually fascinates us. Every epoch has portrayed her differently. In 1963, Elizabeth Taylor played the title role in "Cleopatra" - a part that made her as much of an iconic diva as the Egyptian queen herself. She's now the focus of the exhibition "Cleopatra: the Eternal Diva" at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn.

Little is known about the historical figure of Cleopatra, who lived from 69 BC to 30 BC, but she is thought to have been the wealthiest woman in the world in her day. She rubbed shoulders with the three most powerful men of the time: Caesar (pictured), Mark Antony and Octavian, who would later become Emperor Augustus. Caesar helped Cleopatra rise to power and was the father of her son.

Imagined scenes from Cleopatra's life decorated luxurious Baroque villas. Two events were of particular interest to artists of the day: Her first meeting with lover Mark Antony and the feast where, according to legend, Cleopatra dissolved the world's most valuable pearl in a bowl of vinegar and then drank it. The latter is pictured here in a work by Dutch painter Justus Van Egmon.

Around the turn of the 19th century, Europe's fascination with Ancient Egypt grew. Painters began showing Cleopatra in oriental settings, transforming the pharaoh into a mysterious femme fatale. She was a particular favorite in the theater, which was the focal point of bourgeois cultural life in the 19th century. Actress Sarah Bernhardt is pictured as Cleopatra in 1891.

Cleopatra is still deeply ingrained in our consciousness, particularly as a film icon. She was a muse as early as the silent film era, though Elizabeth Taylor's portrayal in the 1960s is the most famous. For many people today, it's Taylor's face that comes to mind when thinking of Cleopatra - along with Richard Burton as Mark Antony. Rumor has it that Angelina Jolie may star in the next version.

In addition to Jolie, Halle Berry is also said to be in talks to take on the glamorous role. Since the late 19th century, African-American women have identified themselves with Cleopatra because of her geographical connection to Africa. Pictured here is US singer Beyoncé in the role of Foxxy Cleopatra in the 2002 comedy "Austin Powers."

Plenty of other performers, including Lady Gaga (pictured), have been inspired by Cleopatra, borrowing some of the characteristics that early portrayals assigned to her, including the dark eye-makeup used by Elizabeth Taylor, but also pearls, gold, and lascivious poses.