In the previous article, we spoke of Ptolemy IV and historians’ considering him the first to push the country into the pit. In fact, he was the progenitor of a series of despotic kings. We also spoke of Ptolemy V who was a despot, and his sudden death while preparing to wage war against Syria.
q. Ptolemy VI
He was the eldest son of Ptolemy V who succeeded his father. He was almost six years old then, which is why his mother, Cleopatra, became prince regent. Cleopatra took care of her children by herself, and did not allow anybody to manage the country’s internal or external affairs. She did her job well by following her husband’s suit in prioritizing Egypt’s welfare and not interfering in wars, especially when Syria tried to draw her to join her in fighting her enemies. Likewise, she strove to preserve the throne of the young king by making an alliance with Rome. However, after Cleopatra’s death, Livius and Lenaus became co-regents. They used their intelligence to stray the young king from the country’s affairs. Yet, in order to preserve the Ptolemaic sovereignty, they declared Ptolemy VI king and his marriage to his sister, Cleopatra II, as soon as he became major!
War against Syria
The king of Syria started to get ready for retrieving Coele-Syria which was conflicted upon by Egypt and Syria. Likewise, it was Cleopatra I’s dowry, the daughter of the Syrian king and wife of Ptolemy V. The co-regents got ready to fight Syria, threatening to occupy her. The Syrian king used some military maneuvers to appear defending his country before the public opinion, complaining to the Roman Senate from Egypt’s attack of Syria. Also, he used the co-regents’ threats and mobilized a great army to march to Egypt. The Egyptian army was led by the co-regents who were defeated, though. Due to their inexperience with warfare, the Egyptian army fell into Syria’s hands. In effect, the Syrian king entered Egypt, surrounded by sentries, chariots, and elephants. He headed toward the royal palace and met Ptolemy VI and his nephew, offering him a treaty and demanding that he officially be under his guardianship.
Egypt under Syria
The Syrian king headed to Memphis to crown himself king of Egypt, after which he ruined and ransacked the country. Yet, he left after getting to know that sedition had broken out in Palestine. So, he hurried to overcome it. At that time, the people of Alexandria considered the treaty between Syria and Egypt shameful. Thus, they rebelled against the king, declaring his downfall and crowning Euergetes II in his stead. The new king appointed two ministers who hurried to declare his enthronement. These events made upset Syria who declared war on the people of Alexandria and announced that he would fight the rebels to restore the legitimate king, Ptolemy VI. At that time, Rome was busy fighting Macedon.
While Syria was marching to Egypt, he was met by messengers from all over the world who tried to reconcile the two parties. Syria, however, was cunning enough to win them over and tell them he was ready to negotiate.
Upon reaching Alexandria, he besieged her. Yet, Euergetes II had sent messengers to Rome, seeking her intervention to stop Syria. It ended up in dividing the throne between the two brothers: for Ptolemy VI returned as king of Memphis, while Euregetes II became king of Alexandria. Syria decided to return to his country, believing that the outbreak of a civil war would be enough to destroy Egypt. Yet, matters did not go this war: for Ptolemy VI started to get close his brother. Likewise, Cleopatra II, their sister and Ptolemy VI’s wife, played a great role in reconciling them, and they consented to rule Egypt and Syria. Thus, Ptolemy VI returned to the royal palace in Alexandria to rule jointly with his brother, which spread peace in the whole country.
Syria did not like this, which is why he marched to Egypt. Ptolemy VI sent him messengers, seeking reconciliation. So, Syria put terms, namely, that Egypt abandon Cyprus, Baniyas, and its neighboring regions. At that time, Ptolemy tried to gain time to mobilize an army to resist Syria, but failed. He could not seek Rome’s help for this purpose, either. Rome sent him envoys to demand his leaving Egypt instantly. Hence, he had to leave Egypt in fear lest he face Rome. Queen Cleopatra and the two kings Ptolemy VI and Euergetes II ruled Egypt jointly with apparent peace and harmony for about five years. However, deep down, the two brothers conflicted. So much so that Euergetes II seized the opportunity and kicked his brother Ptolemy VI out of Alexandria forcefully. This happened after a Ptoserapis had appeared in the royal court and ignited a conflict between the brothers, using the people’s love for the youngest. He provoked the people against Ptolemy VI who was about to die. Yet, the attempt failed. So, Ptoserapis started to lure the sentries who refused the Ptolemaic rule, using their yearning to have an Egyptian rule the country. However, he and his men were defeated and had to flee to the countryside where he tried to incite the people to rebel against the king.
So, Ptolemy VI led an army to resist the rebels. He besieged them until they surrendered. Upon Ptolemy’s return to Alexandria, he could not enter the city: for his brother Euregetis II had usurped the throne, having seized the opportunity of his brother’s resisting the rebellion. He prevented him from entering Alexandria. So, Ptolemy had no other way of retrieving his throne except resorting to Rome. He went to complain to the Senate from his brother. They advised him to go Cyprus and wait there.
That he ousted Ptolemy VI and monopolized the throne uncovered Euregetes II’s true character: he was wicked and vengeful, which is why he got rid of all his brother’s associates at the court. Then, his ferocity increased to such an extent that he treated the people harshly. So, they rebelled against him and summoned Ptolemy VI from Cyprus. After his return, the rule was divided between the two brothers by Rome. So, Ptolemy ruled Egypt, while his brother ruled Cyrene, Libya. No sooner had Euregetes II ascended the throne, than he started complaining from the injustice of this division, which made Rome send an envoy to reconcile the brothers; but Euregetes continued complaining and went to the Senate, demanding the annexation of Cyprus.
In effect, the Senate decreed that an envoy be sent to reconcile the brothers and give the youngest Cyprus. At that time, Cyrene rebelled against the despotic ruler who hurried to save his kingdom. Moreover, Ptolemy refused the treaty and would not give in Cyprus. Consequently, Rome informed Ptolemy that they were no longer allies or friends, which is quite an interesting story. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
