In the previous article, we tackled the end of Ptolemy VI’s rule, the return of his brother Euergetes II from Cyprus to seize Egypt’s rule after getting married from his brother’s widow, murdering his brother’s son, the getting married to his wife’s daughter, violating all the customs and indulging in cruelty.
Thus, Egypt’s rule was taken over by one king and two queens; the mother and her daughter. Euergetes II could not dominate the rule with his wife Cleopatra III, excluding Cleopatra II. However, the presence of two ruling queens had caused a kind of jealousy and competition to arise between them. This suited the purpose of the king, who wished to assume power separately, he struck each of them with the other woman, in order to have the ultimate power on his own.
The king’s actions, cruelty, brutality and injustice led his people to hate him, driving the country to an unstable state. This situation of instability was felt by all the fugitives from the king and his injustice, which led them to gather around one of the old commanders of Ptolemy VI, who had fled as well from the cruelty of Euergetes II to the land of the Greeks. The reason behind their gathering around this commander was a rumor he spread concerning the late king Ptolemy VI – He claimed that the king had asked him to take care of his son, the son of Cleopatra II, so this son had the right to inherit his father’s throne and rule Egypt. Although the time was ripe for toppling King Euergetis II due to the severe hatred kept by the people and the soldiers for him, yet this was not implemented, and his rule was not shaken.
Rome was the dominant power of the world at that time was Rome, which was attempting to impose its control over the East, and the Romans had a great desire to follow closely what was happening in the countries of the East, especially since the reports they received were contradictory. So, Rome sent a delegation that they claimed would inspect the conditions of the neighboring allying countries.
The first station at which the delegation stopped was Egypt. When the delegation arrived at Egypt, Euergetis II attempted to attract their attention towards his possessed wealth and treasures. However, Egypt was the real concern of the delegation. They were interested in studying the location of Alexandria city, and the Lighthouse, which was considered one of the wonders of the world. Furthermore, they made a Nile cruise to the city of Memphis and collected information about the nature of the Egyptian lands, Nile, cities and inhabitants and the conditions of Egypt’s people. As the great archaeologist Selim Hassan said, the members of the Roman delegation agreed that this country (i.e. Egypt) could become a strong and great country if headed by masters worthy of taking over its affairs. The delegation also conveyed to Rome that a country which is rich in wealth like Egypt shall never escape from the hands of the Romans.
The visit of the Roman delegation to Egypt had a bad negative impact on the people of Alexandria, as they considered the visit a response to the king’s appeal to be supported from a foreign country. The Egyptian people used to reject the foreign powers’ interference in the country affairs through any form. This led to a great revolt in the country waged against Euergetis II. The reasons for the revolt were: The people’s hatred towards the king for his domination, injustice, arbitrariness, and his ill treatment of Cleopatra II, in addition to the visit of the foreign delegation which the people deemed a recourse by foreign powers.
With the spark of the people’s revolt, the king used every method and means possible to frighten the people and terrify them to quell the revolt; he even set fire to a stadium full of youth and killed everyone who managed to escape the fire! The people didn’t bear this event, which increased their hatred to him, so the people decided to burn the king’s palace while he was inside. No sooner this news reached Euergetes II, than he fled to Cyprus with his wife Cleopatra III, his children born from her and his elder son born from Cleopatra II. In Cyprus, he gathered an army of mercenaries so he could return and take over Egypt again. The escape of the king marked his rule end to the people, and Cleopatra II ruled over Egypt, accompanied by her illegitimate son.
When Euergetes II knew about the plans to make his son ruler instead of him, he summoned him from Sereni and killed him, adding a new heinous crime to his crimes register. Being informed about this obnoxious deed, the people of Alexandria smashed his statue in revenge. His response to this insult – which he claimed to be instigated by Cleopatra II – was that he committed an even more gruesome crime: He killed her son, who was his own son as well! And cut his body into pieces and sent him to her in a box on her birthday!!
Cleopatra II ruled Egypt alone during this period which was not too long, she was supported by the people of Alexandria and some Egyptian cities, including the city of Thebes. Euergetes II returned to Egypt, leading an army to restore the rule of Egypt. Cleopatra II fled to Syria where her daughter was. There, she prepared an army to restore Egypt, but this army could not reach Egypt. Then a revolt was waged against the king of Syria, and Euergetes II supported the rebels against their king.
In the meantime, Euergetes II made a peace treaty with his sister Cleopatra II, who returned to Egypt to be the Sister Queen who ruled with the king and her daughter Cleopatra III, the Queen and the wife. The king spent the last period of his life, as historians recount, in atonement for the evils he had committed throughout his life. He took care of the country affairs and administration. He took care of the well being of his people, and was concerned about constructing buildings and temples.
It is wonder that Euergetes II, who was the reason of the scientists and writers’ flee from Alexandria was himself a writer! He had written memoirs in 24 volumes, and cared about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. In his days, a voyage was sent to explore the Indian Sea, which is considered the first Egyptian voyage in the Indian ocean.
L. Ptolemy VIII
Euergetes II left Egypt’s rule to his wife, Cleopatra III, so that she would rule with whom she chooses from her two sons. She loved the younger son – Alexander, but hated the eldest son Ptolemy, that she urged her husband before his death to send the elder son to rule over Cyprus, in order to keep him away from the throne of Egypt.
However, when Euergetes II died, the queen tried to make the younger son assume power, yet the statesmen refused the queen’s desire, and insisted on bringing the eldest son to rule the country. After she had failed to convince them, she had nothing to do except to bring her eldest son from Cyprus, putting the king’s crown over his head, after she ordered him to divorce his wife – Cleopatra and to get married to Selena, who was obedient to the mother. Ptolemy fulfilled all his mother’s wishes, and so Ptolemy VIII became the king of Egypt. Although he obeyed his mother in every demand, yet she hated him, and wished to get rid of him in order for her younger son to assume power. Indeed, she accused him of attempting to poison her, arousing all the people of Alexandria against him, so he fled to Cyprus. Hence, she summoned her other son, Alexander and made him king over Egypt. Then she prepared an army to fight Ptolemy VIII, who fled to Syria and was followed by her. Thus, the war between the two sides lasted for a long time until the flames of sedition were ignited inside the country.
During the spread of unrest, strife and wars within the country, Alexander decided to rebel against his mother, a deed which angered her greatly, so, she began to lurk with the opportunity to murder him. Being informed about her thoughts, Alexander killed her and ruled the country all alone! Alexander imposed more oppression on his people, that he was said to excavate the grave of Alexander the Great, which aroused the people against him, urging him to flee abroad. He died during his war with the armies in an attempt to seize Cyprus. Upon his death, the people summoned his brother Ptolemy VIII to rule the country again. The people announced him king over Egypt except the city of Thebes which refused his rule. As a response, he headed there with his army and ruined the city, blotting out its people.
After having his rule stable, the king cared about reconstructing the warships and trade ships, and promoting the country state, this made Egypt regain its fame again; and the great world powers at this time, such as Rome, were keen to be an ally of Egypt.
After the death of Ptolemy VIII, his daughter Cleopatra succeeded him for six months only, and … Stories about Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
