Cleopatra is famous for ruling ancient Egypt, but here’s a mind-bender—she lived closer in time to the invention of the iPhone than to the building of the Great Pyramids! Cleopatra VII ruled from 51 to 30 BC, about 2,000 years ago. The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2560 BC, was already ancient by her time—over 2,500 years old. Meanwhile, the first iPhone launched in 2007, just over 2,000 years after Cleopatra’s reign. That means she’s closer to our smartphone era than to the pyramid builders!

This timeline twist shows just how old the pyramids really are. By Cleopatra’s time, they were already tourist attractions, covered in graffiti from ancient visitors. Cleopatra herself was more Greek than Egyptian—she was a descendant of Ptolemy I, a general of Alexander the Great, and spoke Greek as her main language. She was also the last pharaoh of Egypt; after her death, Rome took over, ending a 3,000-year dynasty.

It’s wild to think that the gap between Cleopatra and the pyramids is bigger than the gap between her and us. Next time you’re scrolling on your phone, imagine Cleopatra being closer to that tech than to the wonders of her own land. Got a history buff in your life? Share this reel-worthy fact and come back for more on ReelFact!