Ptolemy XIV Philopator

Ptolemy XIV Philopator (Ancient Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ,[1] Ptolemaios; c. 59 – 44 BC) was a Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, who reigned from 47 until his death in 44 BC.

Biography

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Following the death of his older brother Ptolemy XIII of Egypt on January 13, 47 BC, and according to his will, he was proclaimed Pharaoh and co-ruler by their older sister and remaining Pharaoh, Cleopatra VII of Egypt.[2][3] He was about 12 years old when he acceded to the throne.[4] He and his older sister, Cleopatra, were married, but Cleopatra continued to act as lover of Roman dictator Julius Caesar. Ptolemy is considered to have reigned in name only, as a concession to Egyptian tradition, with Cleopatra keeping actual authority.[5]

On 15 March 44 BC Caesar was murdered in Rome by a group of conspirators whose most notable members were Brutus and Cassius. Ptolemy soon followed him in death.[citation needed] An inscription mentioning him as alive was dated at 26 July 44 BC.[6] It has been assumed but remains uncertain that Cleopatra poisoned her co-ruler, with aconite, to replace him with his nephew Ptolemy XV Caesar, her son by Caesar who was proclaimed co-ruler on 2 September 44 BC and whom his mother intended to support as successor of his father.[7][8]

Ancestry

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References

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  1. ^ Volkmann, Hans (1959), "Ptolemaios 36", Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft (RE, PW), volume 23, part 2, column 1759–1760.
  2. ^ Mahaffy, John Pentland (2014) [1895]. The Empire of the Ptolemies. Cambridge Library Collection. Cambridge, England and New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. xxiv. ISBN 9781108078658.
  3. ^ Southern, Patricia (2012) [2010]. Antony & Cleopatra: The Doomed Love Affair That United Ancient Rome & Egypt. Stroud, England: Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445608877.
  4. ^ Blackaby, Susan (2009). Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen. Sterling Biographies. New York and London: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 27. ISBN 9781402765407.
  5. ^ Holbl, Gunther; Hölbl, Günther (2003) [2001]. A History of the Ptolemaic Empire. Translated by Saavedra, Tina. London and New York: Routledge. p. 237. ISBN 9780415201452.
  6. ^ Burstein, Stanley Mayer (2007). The Reign of Cleopatra. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. xiii. ISBN 9780806138718.
  7. ^ Bevan, Edwyn (2014) [1927]. A History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Routledge Revivals. New York and London: Routledge. p. 369. ISBN 9781317682257.
  8. ^ Rice, E. E. (2006). Wilson, Nigel Guy (ed.). Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece. New York and London: Routledge. p. 172. ISBN 9780415973342.
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Ptolemy XIV Philopator
Born: c. 59 BC Died: 44 BC
Preceded by Pharaoh of Egypt
47–44 BC
with Cleopatra VII
Succeeded by