Asp is a cobra found in Egypt. It is also known as the Egyptian cobra. The hood of this venomous snake lacks the spectacular markings of the Indian cobra. The asp served as an important religious symbol for the ancient Egyptians. It is believed that Cleopatra ended her life by allowing an asp to bite her. Others claim the snake was the horned viper, sometimes called an asp. See also Cleopatra; Cobra; Snake.
