Ptolemy VI Philometor
| Ptolemy VI | |
|---|---|
| King of Egypt | |
 Ptolemy VI |
|
| Born | c. 185 |
| Died | 145 BC |
| Predecessor | Ptolemy V |
| Successor | Ptolemy VIII |
| Consort | Cleopatra II of Egypt |
| Dynasty | Ptolemaic |
| Father | Ptolemy V |
| Mother | likely Cleopatra I |
Ptolemy VI Philometor (Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλομήτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Philomḗtōr, ca. 186–145 BC) was a king of Egypt from the Ptolemaic period. He reigned from 180 to 145 BC.[1]
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Ptolemy succeeded in 180 BC at the age of about 6 and ruled jointly with his mother, Cleopatra I, until her death in 176 BC, which is what 'Philometor', his epithet, implies; "he who loves his mother", φίλος (beloved,friend) + μήτηρ (mother). The following year he married his sister, Cleopatra II, as it was customary for Pharaohs, for the Ptolemaic Greek kings had adopted many customs of the Pharaohs.[2] He had at least four children with her; he had at least four children: Ptolemy Eupator, Ptolemy Neos, Cleopatra Thea and Cleopatra III, and possibly Berenice.[1]
In 170 BC, Antiochus IV began the sixth Syrian War and invaded Egypt twice[citation needed]. He was crowned as its king in 168. According to Livy’s The History of Rome from its Foundation (XLV.12), he abandoned his claim on the orders of the Roman Senate.
From 169–164, Egypt was ruled by a triumvirate consisting of Ptolemy, his sister-queen and his younger brother known as Ptolemy VIII Physcon.[citation needed] In 164 he was driven out by his brother and went to Rome to seek support, which he received from Cato.[citation needed] He was restored the following year by the intervention of the Alexandrians and ruled uneasily, cruelly suppressing frequent rebellions.[citation needed]
In 152 BC, he briefly ruled jointly with one of his sons, known as Ptolemy Eupator, but it is thought that Ptolemy Eupator died that same year.[citation needed]
In 145 BC he died of battle wounds received against Alexander Balas of Syria.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Chris Bennett. "Ptolemy VI". Tyndale House. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
- ^ "Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt". Ancient Egypt Online. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
External links[edit]
- Ptolemy Philometor at LacusCurtius — (Chapter IX of E. R. Bevan's House of Ptolemy, 1923)
- Ptolemy VI — (Egyptian Royal Genealogy)
- Ptolemy VI Philometor entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ptolemy V Epiphanes Cleopatra I |
Ptolemaic King of Egypt with Cleopatra I Cleopatra II Ptolemy VIII Physcon 181–164 BCE |
Succeeded by Ptolemy VIII Physcon |
| Preceded by Ptolemy VIII Physcon |
Ptolemaic King of Egypt with Cleopatra II Ptolemy VIII Physcon Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator 163–145 BCE |
Succeeded by Cleopatra II Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator |
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