Ptolemy XII Auletes

Lore & Background

Ptolemy XII was the oldest son of Ptolemy IX, but his mother's identity is uncertain. Ancient sources like Cicero and Pompeius Trogus called him a bastard, and Pausanias wrote that Ptolemy IX had no legitimate sons. Some scholars propose his mother was a concubine, possibly an Alexandrian Greek; Chris Bennett argues she was Cleopatra IV, making him born around 117 BC. In 103 BC, Cleopatra III sent her grandsons to the island of Kos along with her treasure. There, Ptolemy XII and his brother were captured by Mithridates VI of Pontus probably in 88 BC at the outbreak of the First Mithridatic War. They were held as hostages until 80 BC, and during that period, probably in 81 or 80 BC, they were engaged to two of Mithridates' daughters, Mithridatis and Nyssa. After the killing of his cousin Ptolemy XI by an angry Alexandrian mob, Ptolemy XII was recalled from Pontus and proclaimed pharaoh in April 80 BC, while his brother became king of Cyprus. He married his relative Cleopatra V, likely a sister or cousin; they had at least one child, Berenice IV, and Cleopatra V was likely also the mother of Cleopatra VII. His three youngest children—Arsinoe IV, Ptolemy XIII, and Ptolemy XIV—were born to an unknown mother.

Reader's Guide

Ptolemy XII's significance lies in his efforts to preserve Ptolemaic rule against the threat of Roman annexation. His uncle Ptolemy X had left Egypt to Rome in the event of no surviving heirs, making Roman annexation a possibility. To prevent this, Ptolemy XII established an alliance with Rome late in his first reign. In 60 BC, he traveled to Rome and paid Pompey and Caesar six thousand talents—an enormous sum, equivalent to the total annual revenue of Egypt—in return for a formal alliance (foedus) and recognition by the Roman Senate. However, Rome annexed Cyprus in 58 BC, causing his brother Ptolemy of Cyprus to commit suicide. Shortly after, Ptolemy XII was deposed by the Egyptian people and fled to Rome; his daughter Berenice IV took the throne. With Roman funding and military assistance, he recaptured Egypt and had Berenice IV killed in 55 BC. In his last year, his daughter Cleopatra VII was appointed as his regent. Upon his death in 51 BC, he was succeeded by Cleopatra VII and her brother Ptolemy XIII as joint rulers. His pro-Roman policies, including massive bribes and loans from Roman bankers like Gaius Rabirius Postumus, gave Rome increasing leverage over his regime.

Did You Know?

• Ptolemy XII was commonly known as Auletes ("the Flautist") because of his love of playing the flute in Dionysian festivals.
• He and his brother were held as hostages by Mithridates VI of Pontus from about 88 BC until 80 BC, and were engaged to two of Mithridates' daughters.
• In 60 BC, Ptolemy XII paid Pompey and Caesar six thousand talents—equivalent to the total annual revenue of Egypt—to secure a formal alliance with Rome.
• His daughter Cleopatra VII was appointed as his regent in the last year of his reign, and she succeeded him as joint ruler with Ptolemy XIII.
• Rome annexed Cyprus in 58 BC, causing Ptolemy XII's brother, the king of Cyprus, to commit suicide.