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

596 PTOLEMAEUS. PTOLEMAEUS.
the death of Antiochus Grypus, and setting up self, on the death of Euergetes, B. c. 117, in preI)emetrius Eucaerus, the youngest son of that ference to his elder brother. But the will of the
monarch, as a claimant to the throne. (Joseph. Alexandrians having compelled her to assume LaAnt. xiii. 13. ~ 4.) thyrus as her colleague, she sent Alexander to
After the death of Cleopatra and the expulsion of Cyprus with the title of general or governor of
Alexander in B. C. 89 [PTOLEMAEUS IX.], Ptolemy that island. Three years later, however (B. C. 114),
Lathyrus was recalled by the Alexandrians and he assumed the title of king, on what pretext we
established anew on the throne of Egypt, which he know not, and reckoned the years of his reign
occupied thenceforth without interruption till his from this date (Porphyr. ap. Euseb. Arm. p. 116).
death in B. C. 81 (Justin. xxxix. 5; Porphyr. 1. c. But he appears to have remained content with the
p. 116). The most important event of this period possession of Cyprus till B. c. 107, when Cleopatra,
was the revolt of the once mighty city of Thebes, having expelled Ptolemy Lathyrus, recalled her
in Upper Egypt, which was still powerful enough favourite son to occupy the vacant throne of Egypt.
to hold out for nearly three years against the arms Alexander reigned conjointly with his mother from
of Ptolemy, but at the end of that time was taken this time till B. C. 90: but it is probable that her
and reduced to the state of ruin in which it has haughty and imperious character left him little real
ever since remained (Paus. i. 9. ~ 3). With this part in the administration of affairs. The only ocexception the eight years of the second reign of casion on which we meet with his name in this
Ptolemy Lathyrus appear to have been a period of interval is in B. C. 102, when he commanded
internal tranquillity, while his prudent policy re- the Egyptian fleet which attacked Phoenicia by
gained for him in some degree that consideration sea, while Cleopatra with the army marched
abroad which Egypt had nearly lost. We find the against Palestine (Joseph. Ant. xiii. 13. ~ 1).
Athenians, in return for some benefits which he But at length the violence and cruelties of his
had conferred upon them, erecting statues to him mother terrified Alexander to such a degree that
and his daughter Berenice (Paus. 1. c.); and during he determined to free himself from her power, and
the Mithridatic war, B. C. 87, Lucullus was sent made his escape secretly from Alexandria. Hereby Sulla to request from him the assistance of the upon Cleopatra, fearing lest her sons should make
Egyptian fleet. But Lathyrus was desirous to common cause against her, sent an embassy to
remain neuter during that contest, and, while he Alexander to entreat his return. With this rereceived Lucullus with every demonstration of quest he was induced to comply; but soon found
honour he declined to furnish the required assist- reason to suspect that she was forming designs
ance. (Plut. Lucull. 2, 3.) against his life, and immediately determined to
The character of Lathyrus appears to have been anticipate them by causing her to be assassinated,
mild and amiable, even to a degree bordering upon B. C. 90. But he did not long enjoy the fruits of
weakness: but it shows in a favourable light when this crime. Cleopatra had been popular with the
contrasted with those of his mother and brother, army, and the soldiers in consequence hated Alexand he appears to have been free from the vices ander, who had not reigned alone a year, when he
which degraded so many of the Egyptian kings. was compelled by a general sedition of the popuiHe reigned in all thirty-five years and a half; ten lace and military to quit Alexandria. He however
in conjunction with his mother (B. C. 117-107), raised fresh troops, and attempted to overcome the
eighteen in Cyprus (107-89), and seven and a insurgent soldiery, but was totally defeated in a
half as sole ruler of Egypt (Porphyr. ap. Euseb. sea-fight by the rebels under Tyrrhus, and fled for
Arm. p. 116). After his restoration in B. C. 89 he refuge to Myra in Lycia, B. C. 89. His brother
appears to have assumed the additional title of Lathyrus was now recalled by the Alexandrians to
Philadelphus, whence he is sometimes distinguished Egypt, a circumstance which led Alexander to
as PTOLEMY PHJIADELPHUS II. (Letronne, Rec. hope that he might make himself master of Cyprus,
des 7nseCr. pp. 64-66; Clinton, F. IS. vol. iii. p. and he accordingly assembled some forces, and in393.) le left only one daughter Berenice, called vaded that island, but was defeated in a naval
also Cleopatra, who succeeded him on the throne: action by Chaereas, and fell in the battle. (Justin.
and two sons, both named Ptolemy, who, though xxxix. 4, 5; Porphyr. ap. Euseb. Arm. p. 116.)
illegitimate, became severally kings of Egypt and He left two children: a son, Alexander, who
Cyprus. [E. II. B.] afterwards ascended the throne of Egypt, and a
daughter, of whom nothing more is known. (PGrphyr. 1. c.) [E. H. B.]
COIN OF PTOLEMAEUS VIII., KING OF EGYPT.
COIN OF PTOLEMAEUS IX., KING OF EGYPT.
PTOLEMAEUS IX. (lIreXfa?os), king of
EGYPT, surnamed ALEXANDER, whence he is ge- PTOLEMAEUS X. (fITokEtaos), king of
nerally distinguished as ALEXANDER I., was the EGYPT, son of the preceding, bore his father's
youngest son of Ptolemy VII. by his niece Cleo- name of Alexander, whence he is styled PTOLEpatra. His mother's partiality led her to desire to MArUS ALExANDER II. Whena merechild, he was
place him on the throne in conjunction with her- sent by his grandmother Cleopatra for safety to the