Tragic "Game of Thrones" in Ptolemaic Hellenistic Egypt
Frame from the film "Cleopatra", 1963
Article Hellenistic Ptolemaic Egypt little was told about the death of Alexander the Great, the rivalry between the Diadochi, Ptolemy I Soter, who founded a new state in Egypt, as well as about his first successors. Today we will continue this story.
Other Ptolemies
Strabo wrote about the Egyptian rulers:
"All the kings after the third Ptolemy, spoiled by a life of luxury, managed state affairs worse than their predecessors."
And, indeed, Ptolemy III proved to be the last capable and powerful ruler of Hellenistic Egypt. Under his descendants, the state steadily declined, weakened, but still found the strength and means to maintain the splendor of the magnificent Alexandria, in comparison with which many other capitals looked hopelessly provincial. Rome was no exception, which at that time was still "brick" - it became "marble" only from the time of the reign of Octavian Augustus.
It was said about Ptolemy IV that he was sober only when he participated in divine services.
Tetradrachm of Ptolemy IV
We remember that the lineage of the new rulers of Egypt claimed descent from Dionysus, and starting from Ptolemy IV, in Alexandria they began to arrange mysteries dedicated to this god. It was from that time that the Alexandrian court became famous for unheard-of luxury and undisguised debauchery. Here is such a two-story palace barge measuring 115 by 14 meters and 20 meters high (talamegas) was built for Ptolemy IV and his wife Arsinoe III around 200 BC:
And this is how N. Witsen depicted thalamegas in 1671:
Under Ptolemy IV, for the first time, a 20-strong corps was recruited from local residents for the war with the Seleucid state, and this then led to unrest in Egypt. The fact is that after the victory in that war, the Egyptians participating in it realized that they could successfully fight against the Macedonians and Greeks, who formed the basis of the armies of all the Hellenistic states. A similar situation arose in the colonies of European countries after the end of World War II: the veterans of the "native" combat units who returned home told everyone that the French and British were not super soldiers at all, but modern weapons and they themselves now know how to use it, and no worse than the "masters".
The throne of Ptolemy IV was inherited by his young son, known by the nickname Theos Epiphanes - "The Appeared to God."
Tetradrachm of Ptolemy V
Power in the country was in the hands of the favorites of the former king - the priest Sosibius and the sister of his mistress Agathocles, who killed the mother of the new ruler. However, they were soon overthrown and executed by Tlepolem, the strategist of Pelusius. Tlepolem was a good military leader, but not a very good manager and administrator. A year later, he was replaced as regent by Aristomenes, the head of the royal bodyguards and friend of the murdered Agathocles. He turned out to be completely different from the favorite of the former king. Polybius, for example, calls it "excellent and virtuous ruler". But Ptolemy V was burdened by the care of Aristomenes and, in the end, ordered him to drink hemlock tincture.
The wife of Ptolemy V was a cousin - the daughter of the ruler of the Seleucid state Antiochus III. It was she who was the first queen of Egypt, who bore the name Cleopatra.
Ptolemy V died at the age of only 28, having accomplished nothing worth mentioning. The young Ptolemy VI Philometor (“Loving mother”) became the new king.
Tetradrachm of Ptolemy VI
His advisers, Evleus and Leney, dragged Egypt into the war with Seleucid Antiochus IV, lost it, and the young Ptolemy VI was captured by his uncle. Army commanders overthrew Euleus and Leney, the younger brother of the captured king, Ptolemy VIII (the seventh in this dynasty is considered the son of Ptolemy VI Philometor), who began to rule in Alexandria, ascended the throne. And in Memphis, Antiochus IV appointed Ptolemy VI, who had been captured by him, as ruler. Thus, the country was divided into 2 parts. Antiochus IV soon resumed hostilities: he moved troops to Alexandria and captured Cyprus. The Ptolemaic dynasty was on the verge of collapse, but was saved by the Romans, who for the first time decisively intervened in the affairs of this country. They are just then, after the victorious battles of Pydna, ended the war with Macedonia and got the opportunity to do other things. Egypt, as we remember, was the largest food producer in the Mediterranean, and the Egyptian kings were already known as obedient and reliable suppliers of bread to Italy. The Romans did not want change. Ambassador Gaius Popillius Lenat demanded that Antiochus withdraw the Syrian troops from Egypt, and he did not dare to object.
For 5 years, two kings ruled in the Ptolemaic state at once, but then a high-ranking official Dionysius, who also had the Egyptian name Petosarapis, revolted in favor of his younger brother. He was defeated, but the second attempt of Ptolemy VIII was successful, and the older brother was forced to flee to Rome. After listening to him, the Senate decided to divide the country between the brothers. Ptolemy VI received Egypt and Cyprus, Ptolemy VIII - Cyrenaica. In the future, the younger brother tried more than once to seize power in Egypt and Cyprus, but did not succeed. But Ptolemy VI intervened in the war of pretenders to the throne of the Seleucid state and died, having received many wounds during one of the battles. His son ascended the throne under the name of Ptolemy VII, but was killed on the wedding day of his mother, Cleopatra II, and his uncle, that same Ptolemy VIII.
Head of a statue of Ptolemy VII, Archaeological Museum, Athens
Now Ptolemy VIII became the sole ruler. Soon he married the daughter of his wife (who was also his older sister): his stepdaughter-niece became Queen Cleopatra III. It is not known if Ptolemy VIII divorced her mother before this.
Ptolemy VIII, Cleopatra II and Cleopatra III, temple relief in the city of Kom Ombo
Both Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra III were unloved by the people. Ptolemy was officially called Euergetes - "Benefactor", but behind his back everyone called him Fiskon - "Belly". And Cleopatra III received from the Alexandrians the indecent nickname "Kokke" (a slang term for female genitalia). Among other things, Ptolemy VIII distinguished himself by separating Cyrenaica from the possessions of Egypt, transferring it to his son Apion, who, having died in 96 BC. e. childless, bequeathed this province to Rome. Thus, in the west of the African coast, the borders of Rome were as close as possible to the capital of Egypt - Alexandria. In addition, only in Cyrenaica, on a territory of only about 200 km in length and 50 km in width, the medicinal plant sylphium, which was extremely valued at that time, grew, which was exported even to India. Various properties were attributed to him, but contraceptive was considered the main one. Predatory production of silphium led to its complete disappearance. Now in the mountains of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the closest relative of the silphium, asafoetida, is found. According to ancient authors, it tastes very similar to silphium and can replace it as a seasoning. However, it is completely devoid of contraceptive properties.
Silphium and its seeds on the coins of Cyrenaica
But let's return to Egypt of the time of Ptolemy VIII, who, in the end, was forced to flee with his wife-niece and children from her to Cyprus. The country began to be ruled by Cleopatra II Philometor Soter (Loving Mother Savior), but her ex-husband did not calm down. Ordering to kill his son from Cleopatra II, in whom he saw a competitor, Ptolemy launched hostilities against his sister and ex-wife, expelling her to Syria. He later reconciled with her, and Cleopatra lived in Alexandria as a "queen-sister" (and her daughter bore the title "queen-wife"). This king, the most cruel of all the Ptolemies, died in his bed - in 116 BC. e. He bequeathed the throne to Cleopatra III, who was to choose one of his sons as co-ruler. Such, at the request of the people, was the eldest son - Ptolemy IX "Philometor", who for some reason was called Lafur or Latir by the people (literally - "Lamb's peas", the origin and meaning of this nickname are not clear). Contrary to the official nickname of this king (“Loving mother”), he and Cleopatra III could not stand each other.
The coronation of Ptolemy IX, to the right and left of him are two queens - Cleopatra III and Cleopatra II - his mother and grandmother. Temple relief at Kom Ombo
Cleopatra III's favorite was another son, Alexander (who, according to some authors, killed her).
Head of a statue of Ptolemy X Alexander (granite). "New Museum", Berlin
Ptolemy IX Lafur was forced to flee to Cyprus, and from there to Seleucia. Cleopatra tried to get him there too, but the war in Palestine ended in a "draw". After the death of his mother, Ptolemy entrenched himself in Cyprus, and her beloved son Ptolemy X Alexander began to rule Egypt. Posidonius claims that this king was extremely fat, and could not even recover (go to the toilet) on his own - he was supported by servants. But at the same time
“when it came to dancing on booze, he jumped barefoot from a high bed and danced more lively than inveterate dancers.”
The people did not like him, everything ended with the expulsion from Alexandria. He tried to return with an army of Jewish mercenaries recruited in Palestine. To pay them off, he sold the golden sarcophagus of Alexander the Great (later another sarcophagus was created - already crystal). However, the Alexandrians called Ptolemy IX from Cyprus. Alexander, trying to capture the island, was defeated in a naval battle and was killed.
Meanwhile, Ptolemy IX of the children survived only the daughter of Berenice III. Previously, she was the wife of her uncle - the same Ptolemy Alexander X. Berenice ruled on her own for six months, but in 80 BC. e. married Ptolemy XI - the son of her ex-husband from another woman (that is, her stepson). This boy was captured by the troops of the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator on the island of Kos. After the defeat in the war with Rome, Mithridates handed over the prince to Sulla, who now sent him to Alexandria, hoping that in Egypt he would become an obedient puppet of Rome. Already 19 days after the wedding, Ptolemy XI ordered the murder of his wife, after which he was literally torn to pieces by a crowd of rebellious Alexandrians.
Ptolemy XII, his brother and children
Meanwhile, Ptolemy XI was the last legitimate scion of the Ptolemaic dynasty. I had to enthrone one of the illegitimate sons of Ptolemy IX, born of a concubine, who was probably a Greek. So in the veins of his granddaughter, the famous Cleopatra VII, in addition to Macedonian, there was an admixture of Greek blood. This introduction of fresh genetic material turned out to be extremely beneficial, because if there are different opinions about the beauty of Cleopatra, then no one ever doubted her mind, education and leadership qualities. She was certainly a great queen, and almost made Egypt a great state again.
Ptolemy had two illegitimate sons, they were once captured by the Pontics on the island of Kos (together with the future Ptolemy XI) and spent their childhood at the court of King Mithridates VI. Now the eldest of the brothers, under the name of Ptolemy XII, became the king of Egypt, officially he was called Theos Philopator Philadelphus - "God who loves his father and sister." Unofficially, he was called Ptolemy Not (illegitimate). In addition, he had the nicknames "Young Dionysus" (he received it for his passion for religious mysteries) and Avlet - "Flutist" or even "Piper" (and playing the flute was not considered an occupation worthy of a king).
Ptolemy XII. Temple relief at Kom Ombo
His younger brother (also Ptolemy) received Cyprus, but in 58 BC. e. this island was annexed by Rome and he committed suicide.
We remember that Egypt was a strategic food supplier to Italy and Rome. And therefore it was clear that sooner or later the predatory Roman Republic would try to seize this country. Lacking the strength to resist, Ptolemy XII did his best to please Rome. He even sent troops to help Pompey in Judea, which had previously belonged to Egypt, which caused great displeasure in Alexandria. But in Rome for a long time Ptolemy Notus was not recognized as the legitimate ruler. Only thanks to the support of Caesar, who was paid a huge amount of 6 thousand talents, Ptolemy XII nevertheless achieved recognition as the king of Egypt, and also “ally and friend of the Roman people».
This king had six children from different women: two sons and four daughters, one of whom was the famous Cleopatra. But initially her half-sisters showed themselves - Trifaena (who could also be the wife of her father) and Berenice. They rebelled and forced Ptolemy XII to seek help from Rome. The reason for the expulsion of the king was precisely the loss of Cyprus and the cowardly behavior of Ptolemy XII, who did not react to the annexation of the island by Rome. However, it must be admitted that Egypt did not have the strength to go to war with this Mediterranean superpower. At first, the exiled monarch went to Rhodes, where he met with propraetor Mark Porcius Cato the Younger, who accepted "a friend and ally of the Roman people,"sitting on a toilet seat and emptying the bowels”(this perfectly illustrates the attitude of Rome towards the king of the once great state of the Ptolemies). Without refusing directly, the Romans were in no hurry to help. Now, if the rebellious daughters of Ptolemy XII had allowed a disruption in the supply of grain to the Apennines, Rome would have reacted with lightning speed. However, these girls were not suicidal. Finally, the Roman governor in Syria, Aulus Gabinius, decided to intervene, who sent his troops to Egypt without the consent of the Roman authorities. Ptolemy XII was restored to the throne, but Gabinius was fined a huge amount of 10 talents for arbitrariness (which, again, indicates the unwillingness of Rome to spend resources on helping an exile that was not interesting to him). The fate of Trifaena and Berenice was sad: the first had died by that time, the second was executed by order of her father.
Three years later, Ptolemy XII died, having bequeathed his throne to his 13-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, who was to become his wife. Much to the misfortune of this teenager, who ascended the throne under the name of Ptolemy XIII, his sister and wife was one of the most famous women in the world. stories - Cleopatra VII Philopator.
Ptolemy XIII, bust, Altes Museum, Berlin
Cleopatra, bust, granite, Royal Ontario Museum
Cleopatra had very little chance in the struggle for power, but a civil war broke out in Rome, and Alexandria, after being defeated in battle of Pharsalus, Gnaeus Pompey Magnus arrived, followed by Gaius Julius Caesar himself.
Sculptural portrait of Caesar, Roman National Museum
Ptolemy XIII and his associates meet Caesar. Frame from the film "Cleopatra", 1963
He did not find Pompey in Egypt (only his head), but Cleopatra was delivered to him in a bag of linen. And at that moment the fate of the two younger brothers of this young queen and her younger sister Arsinoe was decided.
The incredible fate of Cleopatra and the fall of Hellenistic Egypt has already been told - in the article The Last of the Ptolemies.
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