Caesar reacted by seizing the Egyptian capital. Caesar was appalled by this act of violence against a leading Roman citizen. When Caesar arrived in Alexandria two days later, Ptolemy presented him with Pompey's severed head. The head of Pompey was sent to Caesar to prove he was not being protected by the Egyptians. After a series of defeats, Pompey escaped to Egypt.įrightened that Julius Caesar would now invade Egypt, Ptolemy XIII arranged the execution of Pompey on 28th September. However, Caesar's troops, highly experienced after their campaigns against the Gauls, were vastly superior to Pompey's soldiers who had not fought for twelve years. Pompey decided to retreat to Macedonia, where he knew he could rely on the loyalty of his troops. When news reached Rome of Caesar's victory, his enemies fled. At Corfinium, in 48 BC Caesar defeated troops loyal to the Senate. The Senate then passed a motion insisting that Caesar should retire from office.Ĭaesar reacted by ordering his men to march on Rome. To prevent Caesar from gaining power they appointed another famous Roman soldier, Pompey, to take control of the country. The Senate had became concerned about his growing popularity of Julius Caesar, who had recently enjoyed military victories over the Gauls. Although Ptolemy XIII won an important battle at Pelusium he believed he needed the support of the Roman Empire to establish himself as the sole ruler of Egypt.Īt this time the Roman leadership was also deeply divided. The situation was further complicated by her sister, Arsinoe IV, also claimed the throne. Pothinus took control of Alexandria, the capital of Egypt, and forced Cleopatra out of the city.Ĭleopatra moved to Syria where she established her own army. The eunuch Pothinus acted as regent for Ptolemy and in 50 BC he attempted to depose Cleopatra. Cleopatra soon made it clear she was unwilling to share power with her young husband. Ptolemy XII died in March 51 BC and the 18-year-old Cleopatra VII and her brother and husband, the 12-year-old Ptolemy XIII joint monarchs. With the help of a Roman Army led by Aulus Gabinius, Ptolemy regained power in 55 B.C. While in Rome, Cleopatra VI seized power but she was overthrown by Berenice IV. Ptolemy was a corrupt and inefficient ruler and this led to uprisings and the losses of Cyprus and Cyrenaica. Her mother was Cleopatra V, the illegitimate daughter of Ptolemy IX. Cleopatra, the daughter of her brother, Ptolemy XII of Egypt, was born in October 69 B.C.
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