Ptolemy XIV Philopator
Pharaoh of Egypt from 47 to 44 BC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ptolemy XIV Philopator (Ancient Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ,[3] Ptolemaios; c. 59 – 44 BC) was nominally pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, reigning with his sister-wife Cleopatra from 47 BC until his death in 44 BC.
| Ptolemy XIV Philopator | |
|---|---|
| Πτολεμαίος Φιλοπάτωρ | |
1st-century Roman ivory game counter with an imaginary portrait of Ptolemy XIV. An inscription in the back reads άδελφός Κλε(ο)πάτρας ("Cleopatra's brother").[2] | |
| Reign | Early 47 – August 44 BC |
| Coregency | Cleopatra VII |
| Predecessor | Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator |
| Successor | Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XV Caesar |
| Consort | Cleopatra VII |
| Father | Ptolemy XII Auletes |
| Born | c. 59 BC |
| Died | August 44 BC (aged approx. 15) |
| Dynasty | Ptolemaic dynasty |
Biography
Following the death of his older brother Ptolemy XIII of Egypt on 13 January 47 BC, and according to his will, he was proclaimed Pharaoh and co-ruler by their older sister and remaining Pharaoh, Cleopatra VII of Egypt.[4][5] He was about 12 years old when he acceded to the throne.[6] He and his older sister, Cleopatra, were married, but Cleopatra continued to act as lover of Roman dictator Julius Caesar. Ptolemy is considered to have reigned in name only, as a concession to Egyptian tradition, with Cleopatra keeping actual authority.[7]
On 15 March 44 BC Caesar was murdered in Rome by a group of conspirators whose most notable members were Brutus and Cassius. Ptolemy died sometime after. An inscription mentioning him as alive was dated at 26 July 44 BC.[8] It has been assumed but remains uncertain that Cleopatra poisoned her co-ruler, with aconite, to replace him with his nephew Ptolemy XV Caesar, her son by Caesar who was proclaimed co-ruler on 2 September 44 BC and whom his mother intended to support as successor of his father.[9][10]