Ptolemy Philadelphus (son of Cleopatra)

Ptolemy Philadelphus ( * 36 BC) was the youngest son of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra VII and her lover, the Roman general and triumvir Mark Antony.

Life

Once out of the love affair between Cleopatra and Antony already 40 BC Cleopatra Selene and the twin siblings Alexander Helios had emerged, followed by 36 BC, the third child, Ptolemy Philadelphus, Antony ( as his two other children with Cleopatra ) in the same year recognized as his son. By supporting the triumvirs the Queen had the hope he can escape their kingdom rise again in its former greatness of their ancestors. Thus the epithet Philadelphus should call the heyday of the Ptolemaic kingdom Ptolemy II Philadelphus in memory of her youngest son well.

34 BC Antony admitted in a solemn ceremony in the gymnasium of the Ptolemaic Alexandria large territorial extensions ( " Donations of Alexandria "). At this event, Ptolemy Philadelphus sat with his siblings on a throne somewhat below his parents. He wore royal Macedonian costume with tiara, purple coat and boots, and was surrounded by Macedonian -clad bodyguards. All children of the triumvir and the Egyptian queen have now been appointed rulers of large countries. So the first two years of Ptolemy Philadelphus, Phoenicia, Cilicia and Syria west of the Euphrates was awarded. Because of the immaturity of all siblings of the Status Quo of the Management of the Orient remained.

After the victory of Octavian over Antony and Cleopatra and their double suicide of the future Roman emperor spared the little children of the couple. He led 29 BC Cleopatra Selene and Alexander, at least with Helios in his triumphal procession in Rome during the imperial period historian Cassius Dio does not mention the participation of Ptolemy Philadelphus. All three brothers were then raised by Octavian's sister Octavia along with their own children of Anthony. The further fate of the two brothers Alexander Helios and Ptolemy Philadelphus is unknown.