Ptolemy XI Alexander II
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Ptolemy XI | |
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Pharaoh | |
Kingof thePtolemaic Kingdom | |
Reign | 80 BC |
Predecessor | Berenice III |
Successor | Ptolemy XII |
Consort | Berenice III |
Father | Ptolemy X Alexander I |
Mother | Cleopatra Selene |
Ptolemy XI Alexander II[note 1](Greek:Πτολεμαῖος Ἀλέξανδρος,Ptolemaĩos Aléxandros) was a member of thePtolemaic dynastywho ruledEgyptfor a few days in 80 BC. He was a son ofPtolemy X Alexander IandCleopatra Selene.
Biography[edit]
Ptolemy XI was born toPtolemy X Alexander Iand supposedlyCleopatra Selene.[1] His unclePtolemy IXLathryos died in 81 BC or 80 BC, leaving only his sole legitimate daughter as his heir, and so Cleopatra Berenice (= Berenice III) ruled alone for a time.Rome'sSullawanted a pro-Roman ruler on the throne, and sent the young son of Ptolemy X to Egypt, displaying Ptolemy Alexander's will in Rome as supposed justification for this obvious interference.
The will also apparently required Ptolemy XI to marryBerenice III,who was his stepmother, cousin, and possible half-sister. Nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered his bride for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular. Ptolemy was soon lynched by the citizens ofAlexandria.
He was succeeded by his cousinPtolemy XII,an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX.
Notes[edit]
- ^Numbering the Ptolemies is a modern convention. Older sources may give a number one higher or lower. The most reliable way of determining which Ptolemy is being referred to in any given case is by epithet (e.g. "Philopator" ).
References[edit]
Peter Green,Alexander to Actium(University of California Press,1990), pp. 553–554ISBN0-520-05611-6
- ^Llewellyn Jones, Lloyd (2013) [2012]. "Cleopatra Selene". In Bagnall, Roger S.; Brodersen, Kai; Champion, Craige B.; Erskine, Andrew; Huebner, Sabine R. (eds.).The Encyclopedia of Ancient History (13 Vols.).Vol. III: Be-Co. Wiley-Blackwell.ISBN978-1-405-17935-5.
External links[edit]
- Ptolemy XI Alexander IIentry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith