Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos, better known as Auletes, was a pharaoh of Egypt from the Ptolemaic dynasty, who reigned during the Hellenistic period. Born around 117 BC. J.-C., he was the son of Ptolemy IX Soter II and a concubine whose identity remains uncertain. His nickname, Auletes, means “flute player” in Greek, because he was passionate about music and poetry.
The reign of Ptolemy XII began in 80 BC. BC, after the death of Ptolemy XI, killed by the angry Egyptian population. Ptolemy XII rose to power with the help of the Romans, who saw in him a sovereign favorable to their interests in Egypt. However, his rise was disputed by some members of the Ptolemaic family, who considered him illegitimate due to his uncertain maternal origins.
As pharaoh, Ptolemy XII sought to consolidate his power by relying on the alliance with Rome. However, this strategy proved costly for Egypt, which went into debt with the Roman power to finance the wars and the lavish expenses of the court. This situation resulted in growing economic and social instability, arousing the discontent of the population.
In 58 BC. BC, Ptolemy XII was overthrown by a rebellion led by his eldest daughter, Berenice IV, who proclaimed herself queen of Egypt. Forced into exile, Ptolemy XII took refuge in Rome, where he benefited from the support of the Roman general Pompey to organize his reconquest of the Egyptian throne.
In 55 BC. J. - C., thanks to the military assistance of Rome, Ptolémée XII managed to take again the capacity and to restore its authority on Egypt. However, this victory was tinged with tragedy, because he had his daughter Berenice IV executed for treason. After this dark episode, Ptolemy XII devoted himself to restoring the Egyptian economy and consolidating its power.
Ptolemy XII died in 51 BC. AD, leaving the throne to his two children.
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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 | |||
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Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||