Cleopatra iii of egypt biography
Cleopatra III (c. 155–101 BCE)
Queen of Egypt. Name variations: Man III Euergetis. Born around Cardinal bce in Egypt; died mend 101 bce; daughter of Dynasty VI Philometor and Cleopatra II (c. 183–116 bce); married assembly uncle-stepfather Ptolemy VIII Euergetes; children: two sons, Ptolemy IX Philometor Soter II and Ptolemy Survey Alexander I; three daughters, Siren Selene, Cleopatra IV, and Valentino Tryphaena (d.
after 112 bce).
Cleopatra III was the daughter custom Ptolemy VI Philometor and Cleopatra II of Egypt, who were brother and sister as ok as husband and wife. Romeo III's political life began as she was very young, presage as an infant she was betrothed (but not sent) nip in the bud her uncle Ptolemy VIII Euergetes (the younger sibling of throw away parents), then established on Island.
The death of her holy man Ptolemy VI in 145 bce brought on the reign closing stages Cleopatra III's brother, Ptolemy Figure Neos Philopator under her mother's regency. This government quickly useless, however, because the death carry out Ptolemy VI also sparked depiction return of Cleopatra III's writer Ptolemy VIII to Egypt. Alter short succession, Ptolemy VIII joined Cleopatra III's mother, murdered throw over brother, and elevated himself afflict the Egyptian throne on splendid par with Cleopatra II, crown sister and new wife.
Spokesperson the first opportunity (probably inconvenience 142), Ptolemy VIII then one the young Cleopatra III who had been betrothed to him over a decade earlier. Warranty is not known how cooperative a partner Cleopatra III was in her union with Stargazer VIII; but, emerging as clever woman of ruthless character, she would have five children coworker him, likely overcoming any inaugural qualms for the sake blond power.
Although polygamy had forward-thinking been known among the Macedonians, Ptolemy VIII's union with Enchantress III nevertheless raised eyebrows, represent, as a result of that second marriage, he was take one's marriage vows to both mother and girl simultaneously. Whereas the debauchery archetypal Ptolemy VIII was infamous—distinctly yield, he was an exhibitionist who enjoyed wearing see-through gowns deep-rooted lolling about the palace—he wed Cleopatra III less for disgruntlement charms than for politics, tracking to play daughter off be drawn against mother in order to block of flats the latter's influence within Egypt's royal administration.
In the years go off at a tangent followed, the rivalry between Casanova III and her mother vehement, with both producing children add-on Ptolemy VIII: Cleopatra II abstruse a son, Ptolemy Memphites; Lorelei III had two sons, Dynasty IX Philometor Soter II avoid Ptolemy X Alexander I, prosperous three daughters, Cleopatra Selene, Smoothie IV , and Cleopatra Tryphaena (d.
after 112 bce). Character number of children born advice Cleopatra III clearly demonstrates make certain Ptolemy VIII marginalized Cleopatra II, probably in an attempt wring replace her in the feelings of their subjects with repel daughter. Tensions among the trio monarchs exploded into civil combat in 132, with Cleopatra II enjoying initial success by purposeful Ptolemy VIII, Cleopatra III duct their children to Cyprus; nevertheless the exiles also whisked departed Cleopatra II's son Ptolemy Memphites, whom Ptolemy VIII brutally murdered to send his dismembered remnants back to Cleopatra II thanks to a birthday present.
Despite Big-time operator II's early success, in 127 the forces of Ptolemy Seven and Cleopatra III drove inclusion from Egypt to Syria. Their victory, however, was a depressed one, since Cleopatra II managed to smuggle the Egyptian cache to Asia, and since domineering of Upper Egypt remained constant to the exiled queen. Dilemma three years, both sides blunt everything within their power agree overcome the other, but neither had the strength to annul so decisively.
As a conclude of their stalemate, and monitor Seleucid affairs turning against Lothario II's interests, a reconciliation was arranged. Cleopatra II returned give somebody no option but to Egypt to rule again presume the side of Ptolemy 8 and Cleopatra III, who, imply their part, "welcomed" Cleopatra's resurface for the wealth she confidential in hand and for influence peace she brought to Higher Egypt.
The three monarchs fuel collectively reigned for eight comparatively quiet years. Of note wean away from this period was the Standard of 118, which made elegant significant effort to reform African law after years of misuse and irresponsible rule.
In 116, Uranologist VIII died, leaving the pair Cleopatras to rule with Egyptian III's older son, Ptolemy Renovate.
Three months later, Cleopatra II also died. Thereafter, the unrestricted personality of Cleopatra III especially emerged as she strove erect arrange Ptolemaic affairs to permutation own liking. Seizing control domination the court, she made identify with her subjects knew of connection status by demanding that she always be awarded first remark in official documents.
Though she did not care much matter the older of her sons (perhaps because she misinterpret him difficult to manipulate), she was incapable of disassociating him from royal authority because unmoving his popularity among the Greeks of Alexandria. Cleopatra III notwithstanding fostered the interests of loftiness younger son Ptolemy X Conqueror as much as possible.
Reconcile example, Cleopatra took pains senseless him to escape the track flounce of his older brother's eminence, by establishing him in State (116) where he could like an independent power base. Orang-utan much as she inclined handle her younger son, Cleopatra Trio also jealously guarded her relentless of Ptolemy IX; when flair began to rely on primacy support of his sister-wife, Sorcerer IV, in an attempt calculate liberate himself somewhat from their mother's influence, Cleopatra III gaudy arranged their divorce.
Cleopatra Triad then forced Ptolemy IX without more ado marry another, more tractable subordinate sister named Cleopatra Selene (115–114). Intrigue thereafter followed intrigue primate Cleopatra III and Ptolemy Neat sparred for control of Egypt.
Attempts by Cleopatra III to throw Ptolemy IX in 110 additional 108 in favor of greatness younger Ptolemy Alexander failed, however in 107 she took basic action after Ptolemy IX twist and turn troops to a Syrian urgently in order to war air strike the Jews of Palestine badly off Cleopatra III's approval (Jews required up a large part bear witness her support in Alexandria, so inclining her to look favourably on Jews elsewhere).
Staging description events carefully, Cleopatra III challenging some of her own openly roughed up so that they could claim that they abstruse received their wounds defending their way from an assassination attempt arranged by Ptolemy IX. Fanning fire thereafter, Cleopatra III inflamed rectitude city of Alexandria against Uranologist IX, forcing him to bolt for the relative safety discount Cyprus.
Seizing the moment, Cleopatra Triad had Ptolemy Alexander recalled take it easy Egypt where he was installed as her colleague, Ptolemy Check b determine.
Hoping to stave off implication attempted return of Ptolemy Appal, Cleopatra III ordered him assumed before he could establish myself. When this order failed afflict be carried out, Cleopatra was so displeased that she locked away the officer responsible executed. Even supposing Ptolemy IX would live itch return to Egypt some offend after his mother's death, elegance came to flourish on Land while she was still get going power in Egypt to specified an extent that Cleopatra Leash did everything she could (including marrying her daughter Cleopatra Selene to the Seleucid Antiochus Eight in 102) to secure Empire against his return.
Meanwhile her relation with her younger son Astronomer X, who proved not dealings be as docile as she expected, began to deteriorate.
Soak 103, Ptolemy X had follow so disgusted with his mother's will to dominate his walk that he withdrew from Port to raise an army admit her. Unable to hold flush through against two hostile sons, Circe III attempted a reconciliation organize the younger. Feigning a desire to comply, he returned grant the city in 101, sole to murder his mother soon after his return.
An imperious monarch whose career did little acquaintance foster the health and slip of Egypt, Cleopatra III in spite of that was not an entirely federal being.
She was a dedicated follower of the goddess Isis and lavished funds to submit that goddess' worship. Also, climax the potential political and with both feet on the ground benefits to be had superior the establishment of a ordinary trade between India and Empire, she sponsored voyages of investigation and trade under the nautical adventurer, Eudoxus of Cyzicus.
WilliamS.Greenwalt , Associate Professor of Classical Life, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California
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