Ptolemy XI Alexander II

Ptolemy XI
Predecessor	Ptolemy X Alexander I
Successor	Ptolemy XII
Full name Ptolemy XI Alexander II
Father	Ptolemy X Alexander I

Ptolemy XI Alexander II (Πτολεμαῖος Ἀλέξανδρος, Ptolemaĩos Aléxandros) was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt for a few days in 80 BC.

Ptolemy XI was born to Ptolemy X Alexander I and either Cleopatra Selene or Berenice III. His uncle Ptolemy IX Lathryos died in 81 BC or 80 BC, leaving no legitimate heir, and so Cleopatra Berenice (= Berenice III) ruled alone for a time. However, Rome's Sulla wanted a pro-Roman ruler on the throne, and sent the young son of Ptolemy X to Egypt, displaying Ptolemy Alexander's will in Rome as justification for this obvious intervention.

The will also required Ptolemy XI to marry Cleopatra Berenice, who was his stepmother and half-sister (or possibly his natural mother – the ancient sources are unclear). However, nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered his bride for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular; Ptolemy was immediately lynched by the citizens of Alexandria.

He was succeeded by his cousin Ptolemy XII.

References

• Peter Green, Alexander to Actium (University of California Press, 1990), pp. 553–554 ISBN 0-520-05611-6

External links

• Ptolemy XI Alexander II entry in historical sourcebook by Mahlon H. Smith

Ptolemy XI Alexander II Ptolemaic dynasty Born:  ? Died: 80 BC
Regnal titles
Preceded by Berenice III	Pharaoh of Egypt 80 BC with Berenice III	Succeeded by Ptolemy XII