Cleopatra first years as Queen

Cards (12)

  • Name and jobs of regency advisors
    tutor - Theodotus
    soldier - Achillas
    eunuch - Pothinos
  • Ptolemy XIII could only rule with the help of his regency advisors
    meant Cleopatra was the dominant ruler of the two
    likely that there was a marriage between the 2 siblings but there are no records
  • What did Cleopatra call herself at the beginning of her rule
    Evidence suggests that Cleopatra called herself 'Thea-Philopator' which meant ‘father-loving Goddess’
  • First conflict for Cleo and brother in 50BC
    Syria attacked by Parthian forces and Roman governor asked for help
  • Roman Governor of Syria
    Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus
  • What did the Roman governor of Syria do
    sent 2 sons to Egypt to ask for support from the Gabinians to get rid of Syrians
  • What did the Gabinians do

    Gabinians got used to luxury of Alexandria so instead of going to help they rebelled and killed the sons of Marcus
  • What did Cleo and Ptolemy XIII do
    Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII in difficult position as they had to choose a side - upset the Romans or Gabinians
    In the end they chose to take the ringleaders of the rebels and take them to Marcus Bibulus so he could be in charge of the punishment, ensuring that they didnt upset the 2 sides
  • Using his regency council Ptolemy started to isolate Cleo and taking power for himself
  • poor harvest in 50BC led to high tension on Alexandria and tension between the siblings grew
  • 49BC Cleo openly recognised her brother as co-ruler out of desperation
  • 48BC Cleo left Alexandria for Syria (after citizens favoured brother more) with her remaining supporters to raise army against her brother