Cleopatra stepped into the forefront of Egyptian politics, mostly ignoring her young brother. They inherited a throne in deep financial debt to Rome and if not for her own coming civil war, the Republic may have called Egypt to task immediately.įortunately for the young rulers of Egypt, Rome was too pre-occupied to act on the will of Ptolemy XII, which likely granted significant reparations. The two were expected to marry, as was the Egyptian (Macedonian royalty) custom, just as it's likely that Cleopatra's mother was her own aunt, Cleopatra V. When Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC, Cleopatra, at the tender age of 17 fell into joint rule with her younger 13 year old brother Ptolemy XIII. Upon his return, he had them executed and suddenly the non-descript third daughter, Cleopatra VII, was propped into position as the oldest child and heir to Egypt. In a later attempt to secure Roman support in other matters, his daughters Berenice IV and Cleopatra VI seized the throne while their father was away. This wasn't the end of his troubles, however. Gabinius invaded for the hefty price of 10,000 silver talents and forced Ptolemy XII back on the throne. In 55 BC, he would be restored through the bribery of the first triumvirate and other Roman officials including Aulus Gabinius, governor of Syria. Ptolemy protested but did little more, and open revolt against his rule became a widespread disaster shortly thereafter. As a result of the will, and in the face of Mediterranean piracy, Rome used the excuse to send Marcus Portius Cato to annex the Egyptian territory of Cyprus in 58 BC. Ptolemy XII was seen as too weak to stand up to the Romans for true Egyptian independence. A constant rumor that an earlier King, Ptolemy X, willed the rule of Egypt to Rome after his death in 88 BC, helped add to the social dissention that already existed. Doing so helped prop up his feeble reign, but also soured the people of Egypt against him. Ptolemy borrowed incredible sums of money from Roman money lenders and used it to bribe such prominent politicians as Crassus and Caesar himself. During those years, murder and bribery to keep the throne marked his rule. Ptolemy XII ruled precariously from 80 BC until 51 BC. Difficulties with succession and unstable rule led Rome to direct involvement on several occasions, most notably during the reign of Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII. The conquests of Pompey in the 60's BC made Rome the de facto ruler of the east but Egypt maintained independence, at least in theory. The dynastic struggles that persisted over those three centuries weakened the state, and the rise of Rome brought them into direct involvement in Egyptian affairs. Though the reign of the Ptolemies had continually declined since the founding of the dynasty under Ptolemy I after the death of Alexander the Great, Egypt was still an immensely wealthy and regionally powerful state. The third daughter, she would ordinarily have not expected to rise to a prominent role, but intrigue and continuing internal conflict eventually thrust her onto the center stage of world politics. Cleopatra and the Ptolemy DynastyĬleopatra VII was born to King Ptolemy XII Auletes (the flute player) in 69 BC. Faced with the cunning political brilliance of the young queen, Ptolemy would soon find himself at odds with the greatest conqueror in the world. This display by the 14 year old king, intended to garner support from the great Roman in the dynastic struggle against his sister Cleopatra VII Thea Philopater, likely was all that was necessary to push Caesar against him. Presented with the head and signet ring of his rival by Theodotus, the advisor of King Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopater, Caesar reportedly wept. Julius Caesar arrived in pursuit of Pompey at Alexandria, Egypt on 2nd October 48 BC.
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