Cleopatra first years as Queen

• 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