Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-164, 163-145)

Hieroglyphic Name:
Hieroglyphic name of Ptolemy VI
Ptolemy VI Philometor
Ptolemy VI Philometor, (in Greek: Loving His Mother) (180-145 bc), Macedonian king of Egypt under whom an set about invasion of Coele Syria ensued in the occupation of Egypt by the Seleucids. Afterward Roman interference and several guesses of joint rule with his brother, however, Ptolemy was fit to reunify his realm.

The son of Ptolemy V Epiphanes and Cleopatra I, Ptolemy VI dominated as co-regent with his mother, who, although a daughter of a Seleucid king, did not direct faces in Syria and remained friendly with Rome. Mother and son governed effectively until her death in 176, when Ptolemy fell under the determine of two serious courtiers. About 173 Ptolemy was married to his sister, Cleopatra II. Under his advisors guidance, trainings were made to invade Coele Syria. In 170 Ptolemy VIII Euergetes, his brother, was associated on the throne with Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II, and Coele Syria was invaded, but the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV decisively attempted the Egyptians and seized Pelusium, the Egyptian frontier city. Antiochus overrun Egypt in 170 and again in 168, but withdrew under force from the Ptolemies ally, Rome. About October 164 Philometor was discharged from Alexandria by his brother and fled to Rome for support. The Romans thereupon partitioned the Ptolemaic realm, order Euergetes into Cyrenaica and rendering Philometor Cyprus and Egypt.

Euergetes, not complacent with Cyrenaica alone, journeyed to Rome twice to ask for Cyprus also. The Senate finally determined to grant the brothers invite; Philometor, however, simple the Romans by clever diplomacy and in 154 attempted his brother, who set about to seize Cyprus by drive. Nevertheless Philometor restored his brother to Cyrenaica, married a daughter to him, and given him a grain subsidy. In Rome, meanwhile, the Roman statesman Cato the Elder, deploring the continuous intrigues, praised Ptolemy VI as a good and beneficent ruler. At last Philometors kingdom became relatively secure.

In 155, however, the Seleucid ruler of Syria had incurred Ptolemys antagonism by conspiring to seize Cyprus. When a sham, Alexander Balas, appeared, Philometor raced to aid him in 153, and afterwards even gave him a daughter in marriage. About 148, however, the Egyptian king found himself in Syria again when another fraud come along. When Alexander Balas failed in his attempt to have Philometor dead, the Egyptian ruler lent his daughter, Balas wife, on the new fake. Although Ptolemy dependent him, the people of Antioch and the Syrian army asked the Egyptian monarch himself to become their ruler. Ptolemy rejected, but he was soon drawn into a battle in which Alexander Balas was defeated and slain. During the battle Ptolemy fell from his horse and broken his skull, dying a few days later.



Related Posts:

·  Montuhotep II (2061-2010)

Labels