Ptolemy XI Alexander II, a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruled Egypt for just a few days in 80 BCE. He was the son of Ptolemy X Alexander I and Cleopatra Selene, an important figure in Egyptian history. His birth into this ruling dynasty set the stage for his brief and tumultuous reign.
II. The Roman Political Intrigue
When Ptolemy XI's uncle, Ptolemy IX Lathyros, died in 81 BC, he left behind only a legitimate daughter, Cleopatra Berenice III, who then ascended the throne alone. However, Sulla, the Roman ruler at the time, eager to install a pro-Roman ruler on the throne of Egypt, intervened in the royal succession. He sends the young Ptolemy XI to Egypt, exhibiting in Rome the will of Ptolemy X as the alleged justification for this interference.
III. A Forced and Deadly Marriage
The will in question also required that Ptolemy XI marry Berenice III, who was simultaneously his mother-in-law, his cousin and possibly his half-sister. Only nineteen days after their marriage, Ptolemy XI murders his young bride for reasons that remain unknown. This decision turns out to be a major mistake, Berenice being a very popular figure with the people.
IV. A Violent End
Following his heinous act, Ptolemy XI was lynched by the citizens of Alexandria, putting an abrupt end to his short reign. Interestingly, the people of Alexandria played a decisive role in ousting this unpopular ruler, showing their ability to exercise some control over royal policy.
V. A Controversial Succession
After the death of Ptolemy XI, his cousin Ptolemy XII, an illegitimate son of Ptolemy IX, succeeded him on the throne. This shift of power is not without controversy, reflecting the complexity and tensions within the Ptolemaic dynasty during this period.
Ptolemy XI Alexander II is therefore a historical figure whose short and violent reign marked the history of Ptolemaic Egypt. Although his time in power was brief, the circumstances surrounding his reign provide fascinating insight into the political intrigues and dynastic conflicts of the time.
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Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||