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Authors: Joyce Tyldesley
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retake Egypt, he lived peacefully on Cyprus until 88, when he returned to Alexandria to rule Egypt.
Ptolemy X Alexander I, King of Egypt 107–88
Son of Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra III
In 100 Ptolemy X murdered his mother and married his niece, Berenice III. He ruled Egypt for a decade of declining prosperity until the people of Alexandria took exception to his favourable treatment of the Jews and he was forced to flee, leaving the throne vacant for his exiled brother Ptolemy IX. In revenge, he willed the Egyptian empire to theRomans. They did not take up the bequest, but they never forgot it. Ptolemy X is rumoured to have melted down the gold coffin of Alexander the Great in order to pay his troops. He died in 88, attempting to take Cyprus from his brother.
Cleopatra Berenice III Thea Philopator (Father-Loving Goddess), Queen of Egypt 81–80
Daughter of Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra IV, wife of Ptolemy X and Ptolemy XI
Berenice III was initially married to her uncle, Ptolemy X. She inherited her father’s throne in 81, changed her name to Cleopatra Berenice and, encouraged by Rome, married her illegitimate stepson Ptolemy XI. Cleopatra Berenice III was popular with the people of Alexandria but not with her husband: he had her murdered soon after their marriage.
Ptolemy XI Alexander II, King of Egypt 80
Son of Ptolemy X
Ptolemy XI had the support of the Roman general Sulla but was over-ambitious. He murdered his popular wife, Berenice III, and was in turn killed by the people of Alexandria.
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (New Dionysos): ‘Auletes’ (Flute Player), King of Egypt 80–58, 55–51
Son of Ptolemy IX, Brother of Ptolemy of Cyprus
Following the unexpected death of Berenice III, the elder of the two illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX took the throne of Egypt as Ptolemy XII.
Ptolemy XII was faced with the unenviable task of preserving adying dynasty. The Romans, coveting Egypt’s unfailing fertility, were deciding how best to strip the Ptolemies of their throne. Ptolemy knew that he had to remain on friendly terms with Rome, but this policy turned his people against him. In 58, when the Romans annexed Cyprus, a wave of panic swept Egypt. As the people of Alexandria took to the streets, Ptolemy fled to Rome to appeal for military aid. Berenice IV now ruled Egypt in her father’s absence. Ptolemy XII was able to bribe the governor of Syria to support him against his daughter. A Roman army took Alexandria in 55 and Ptolemy XII was restored to his throne. Heavily in debt, he levied stringent taxes, which left his people hungry and desperate. Ptolemy XII died a natural death in 51.
Ptolemy of Cyprus, King of Cyprus 80–58
Son of Ptolemy IX, brother of Ptolemy XII
The younger of the two illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX took the throne of Cyprus as King Ptolemy. In 58 the Romans annexed Cyprus, driving Ptolemy to commit suicide.
Cleopatra V Tryphaena (Opulent One)
Wife and perhaps sister or half-sister of Ptolemy XII
A woman of obscure origins, Cleopatra V Tryphaena was the mother of Berenice IV, and possibly the mother of Cleopatra VI Tryphaena, Cleopatra VII, Arsinoë IV, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. She may have acted briefly as co-regent alongside Berenice IV.
Berenice IV, Queen of Egypt 58–55
Daughter of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V Tryphaena
Berenice married an insignificant cousin, Seleucos, then had himmurdered within a week of their wedding. Her second husband, Archelaos, lasted longer; the couple ruled for two years with the full support of the people of Alexandria. A Roman army took Alexandria in 55. Archelaos was killed and Ptolemy XII, returning home in triumph, had his daughter executed.
Cleopatra VI Tryphaena (Opulent One)
Daughter of Ptolemy XII and (probably) Cleopatra V Tryphaena
The obscure sister of Cleopatra VII who may be identical with Cleopatra Tryphaena V. Cleopatra VI ruled briefly alongside Berenice IV before disappearing from the historical record in 57.
Cleopatra VII Thea
Ptolemy X Alexander I, King of Egypt 107–88
Son of Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra III
In 100 Ptolemy X murdered his mother and married his niece, Berenice III. He ruled Egypt for a decade of declining prosperity until the people of Alexandria took exception to his favourable treatment of the Jews and he was forced to flee, leaving the throne vacant for his exiled brother Ptolemy IX. In revenge, he willed the Egyptian empire to theRomans. They did not take up the bequest, but they never forgot it. Ptolemy X is rumoured to have melted down the gold coffin of Alexander the Great in order to pay his troops. He died in 88, attempting to take Cyprus from his brother.
Cleopatra Berenice III Thea Philopator (Father-Loving Goddess), Queen of Egypt 81–80
Daughter of Ptolemy IX and Cleopatra IV, wife of Ptolemy X and Ptolemy XI
Berenice III was initially married to her uncle, Ptolemy X. She inherited her father’s throne in 81, changed her name to Cleopatra Berenice and, encouraged by Rome, married her illegitimate stepson Ptolemy XI. Cleopatra Berenice III was popular with the people of Alexandria but not with her husband: he had her murdered soon after their marriage.
Ptolemy XI Alexander II, King of Egypt 80
Son of Ptolemy X
Ptolemy XI had the support of the Roman general Sulla but was over-ambitious. He murdered his popular wife, Berenice III, and was in turn killed by the people of Alexandria.
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (New Dionysos): ‘Auletes’ (Flute Player), King of Egypt 80–58, 55–51
Son of Ptolemy IX, Brother of Ptolemy of Cyprus
Following the unexpected death of Berenice III, the elder of the two illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX took the throne of Egypt as Ptolemy XII.
Ptolemy XII was faced with the unenviable task of preserving adying dynasty. The Romans, coveting Egypt’s unfailing fertility, were deciding how best to strip the Ptolemies of their throne. Ptolemy knew that he had to remain on friendly terms with Rome, but this policy turned his people against him. In 58, when the Romans annexed Cyprus, a wave of panic swept Egypt. As the people of Alexandria took to the streets, Ptolemy fled to Rome to appeal for military aid. Berenice IV now ruled Egypt in her father’s absence. Ptolemy XII was able to bribe the governor of Syria to support him against his daughter. A Roman army took Alexandria in 55 and Ptolemy XII was restored to his throne. Heavily in debt, he levied stringent taxes, which left his people hungry and desperate. Ptolemy XII died a natural death in 51.
Ptolemy of Cyprus, King of Cyprus 80–58
Son of Ptolemy IX, brother of Ptolemy XII
The younger of the two illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX took the throne of Cyprus as King Ptolemy. In 58 the Romans annexed Cyprus, driving Ptolemy to commit suicide.
Cleopatra V Tryphaena (Opulent One)
Wife and perhaps sister or half-sister of Ptolemy XII
A woman of obscure origins, Cleopatra V Tryphaena was the mother of Berenice IV, and possibly the mother of Cleopatra VI Tryphaena, Cleopatra VII, Arsinoë IV, Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV. She may have acted briefly as co-regent alongside Berenice IV.
Berenice IV, Queen of Egypt 58–55
Daughter of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra V Tryphaena
Berenice married an insignificant cousin, Seleucos, then had himmurdered within a week of their wedding. Her second husband, Archelaos, lasted longer; the couple ruled for two years with the full support of the people of Alexandria. A Roman army took Alexandria in 55. Archelaos was killed and Ptolemy XII, returning home in triumph, had his daughter executed.
Cleopatra VI Tryphaena (Opulent One)
Daughter of Ptolemy XII and (probably) Cleopatra V Tryphaena
The obscure sister of Cleopatra VII who may be identical with Cleopatra Tryphaena V. Cleopatra VI ruled briefly alongside Berenice IV before disappearing from the historical record in 57.
Cleopatra VII Thea
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