Ptolemy XI Alexander II
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2012) |
| Ptolemy XI | |
|---|---|
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 the Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt for a few days in 80 BC. He was a son of Ptolemy X Alexander I and Cleopatra Selene.
Biography
Ptolemy XI was born to Ptolemy X Alexander I and supposedly Cleopatra Selene.[1] His uncle
Sulla
wanted 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 marry
Berenice 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 of Alexandria.
He was succeeded by his cousin
Ptolemy XII
, an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX.
Notes
- ^ 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
ISBN 0-520-05611-6
- ISBN 978-1-405-17935-5.
External links
- Ptolemy XI Alexander II entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith