A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

PtOLEMAEUS. PTOLEMAEUS. 6593
however, had the magnanimity to pardon him, and fusing to punish him, he justly alienated the mind
it was arranged by the Roman deputies that the of Ptolemy, who hastened to conclude a peace with
two brothers should divide the monarchy; Euer- Demetrius, and give him the support of the very
getes obtaining Cyrene as a separate kingdom, forces which he had brought to oppose him. Having
while Philometor retained Egypt itself. The taken away his daughter Cleopatra from her faithformer, however, could not long remain contented less husband, he now bestowed her hand on his
with the portion allotted him: he repaired to new ally Demetrius. The disaffection of the
Rome in -person, and succeeded in persuading the Syrians towards Alexander quickly enabled Ptosenate, in contravention of their own arrangement, lemy to subdue the whole country, and he entered
to add Cyprus to his share. Three Roman am- Antioch without opposition; where he was himbassadors accompanied Etergetes to enforce these self declared, by the acclamations of the people,
new terms, but they prevented that monarch from king of Syria as well as Egypt. But his natural
asserting his claim to Cyprus by arms, and sent moderation concurred with policy in leading him
him to Cyrene to await the result of their nego- to decline the proffered honour, and establish Detiations with Philometor. The latter, however, metrius on the throne. Meanwhile Alexander,
contrived to amuse the deputies with fair words, having assembled an army in Cilicia, again invaded
and detained them at Alexandria a considerable Syria. He was met by the combined forces of
time without making any concessions. Euergetes Demetrius and Ptolemy, and totally defeated; but
meanwhile had assembled an army, and advanced Philometor himself was thrown from his horse
to the confines of Egypt, but an insurrection at during the battle, and fractured his skull so seCyrene itself, which nearly cost him both his verely, that he died a few days after, B.C. 146.
throne and his life, prevented him from prosecuting (Polyb. xl. 12; Justin. xxxv. 1, 2; Joseph. xiii,
his cause by arms. The next year both brothers 4; Liv. Epit. lii.; Appian. Syr. 67; Euseb. Arm.
again sent ambassadors to Rome, but those of Phi- p. 166.) He had reigned 35 years from the period
lometor were unfavourably received and ordered of his first accession, and 1 8 from his restoration by
to quit the city without delay. Still no effectual the Romans. (Porphyr. ap. Euseb. Arm. p. 115.)
support was given to Euergetes, and his own efforts During the reign of Philometor the number of
having failed to put him in possession of Cyprus, Jews in Egypt received a large augmentation by
be again repaired to Rome in B.C. 154, to invoke the emigration of a numerous body who were
the assistance of the senate. They now proceeded driven out of Jadaea by the opposite faction. and
to send with him five legates charged to establish establisbed themselves at Heliopolis with the perhim in Cyprus. but without supporting him with mission and under the protection of the Egyptian
any Roman force. Philometor meanwhile antici- king. (Joseph. Ant. xiii. 3, B. J. i. 1. ~ 1.) We
pated him, and occupied Cyprus in person with a learn also that Philometor followed the example of
powerful fleet and army, so that when his brother his predecessors in dedicating new temples, or reat length landed in the island at the head of a pairing and augmenting the old ones to the Egyptian
mercenary force, he was quickly defeated and shut divinities. (Letronne, Rec. des I2scr. pp. 10, 24
up in the city of Lapethus, where he was soon Wilkinson's Thebes, p. 82.)
conmpelled to surrender. Philometor not only a Philometor is praised for the mildness and husecond time spared his life, but treated him with inanity of his disposition, qualities whlich distinguish
the utmost kinldness, and sent him back to Cyrene him not only by comparison with his brother, bat
on condition that he should thenceforth content even beyond most of his predecessors. Polybius even
himself with that killgdolln. Nor did the Romans tells us that not a single citizen of Alexandria was
again interfere to distulb the arrangement thus put to death by him for any political or private
concluded. (Polyb. xxxi. 18i, 25-27, xxxii. 1, offence. In the earlier years of his reign he allowed
xxxiii. 5, x. 112; Diod. Exc. Vales. pp. 584. 588, himself to fidll into weakness and indoillence, but
Exc. Vat. p. 84, Exc. Legat. p. 626; Liv. Epit. his subsequent conduct in the wars of Cyprus and
xlvi. xlvii.; Porplihyrius, ap. Euseb. nrms. pp. 114, Syria shows that he wvas by no means deficient in
115.) occasional energy. On the whole, if not one of
The attention of Philometor appears to have the greatest, he was at least one of the best of the
been, from this time, principally directed to the race of the Ptolemies. (Polyb. xl. 12; Diod. Exe.
side of Syria. Demetrius Soter, whlo was then Vales. p. 594.)
established on the throne of that country, had He left three children: 1. A son, Ptolemy, who
sought during the dissensions between the two was proclaimed king after his father's death, under
brothers to make himself master of Cyprus; and inI the name of Ptolemy Eupator, but was put to death
return for this act of hostility Ptolemy now lent almost immediately after by his uncle Etergetes.
his support to the pretensions of Alexander Balas, 2. A danTghter, Cleopatra, married first to Alexander
and when the latter had established himself on the Bala, then to Demetrius II. king of Syria; and
throne of Syria, bestowed on him his daughter
Cleopatra in marriage, B.C. 150. But the usurper
repaid this favour with the blackest ingratitude. /
For Demetrius, the soil of the dethroned monarch, / /,
having landed in Syria to assert his claim to the
crown, Ptolemy immediately assembled a large CC
fleet and army, with which he advanced to the
support of his soil-in-law; but on arriving at Ptole- \ t
mais, he was near falling a victim to an attempt
on his life, made by Ammonius, the favourite and
minister of Alexander, and there is little doubt
that the king himself was a partner in the design.
At all events, by protectings his favoullite, and re- COIN OF i'ToEMaEUs VI.,
VOL., I.