They have worked out the details between the "hard" dates (Caesar's arrival in Egypt, Ptolemy XIII's death, Battle of Zela, etc.) using details like average marching speed, sailing speed of transports, and seasonal weather.Ĭaesar was very, very busy. Ramsey (University of Illinois at Chicago) and Kurt A. Fortunately, this has all been finally straightened out with the scholarship of John T. What's not clear is the timeline, since some authors conflict with days between some events. There are a number of historical accounts that all agree on the big picture. He then went to fight Pharnaces at the Battle of Zela. Caesar stayed in Alexandria for a while, famously going on a cruise down the Nile with Cleopatra. Attempting to escape, Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile, in armor. It took reinforcements of Roman allies to significantly turn the tide in Caesar's favor. Full-out civil war started between Ptolemy's forces and Cleopatra's (bolstered by Caesar's legions). Ptolemy's general Achillas executed the ambassadors who had brokered the truce, and the Egyptian army attacked the palace. Caesar put Ptolemy into "protective custody". Ptolemy's advisors did not appreciate the loss of power and assembled Ptolemy's troops out side the city. Caesar was not pleased.Ĭaesar attempted to resolve the dynastic dispute, as Rome had done with previous Egyptian rebellions., and he put Ptolemy and Cleopatra back on their joint thrones. The trio of advisors thought they would "please" Caesar, who they deemed the most likely to win the Roman civil war, and beheaded Pompey … presenting the head to Caesar when he arrived shortly after. This was the state of Egypt when Pompey came looking for assistance. Cleopatra side-lined him early in his reign, but his trio of advisors (the eunuch Pothinus, the scholar Theodotus of Chios, the general Achillas) ultimately forced Cleopatra into exile and took over rule of Egypt. He "officially" ruled with older sister Cleopatra VII (it is not clear if they were technically married). Ptolemy XIII was 14 years old, and had ascended to throne 3 yrs previously at the death of his father.
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