Ptolemy VI

Ptolemy VI (Ptolemy Philometor) (tol'umē filumē'tur) [key], d. 145 B.C., king of ancient Egypt (180–145 B.C.), of the Macedonian dynasty, son of Ptolemy V. He became king when an infant, and his mother, Cleopatra, was regent. After her death, Antiochus IV of Syria invaded Egypt, and Ptolemy was captured (170 B.C.) at Pelusium. He was forced to share the rule with his wife (also his sister), Cleopatra, and his brother, Ptolemy Physcon (later Ptolemy VII). Ptolemy Physcon ruled over Cyrene, Ptolemy Philometor over Egypt; trouble between the brothers ultimately caused the intervention of Rome. Ptolemy VI aided Demetrius II to gain the throne of Syria and was killed in battle with the rival claimant, Alexander Balas. His young son in theory succeeded to the throne and is sometimes called Ptolemy VII, but he was put to death as soon as Ptolemy Physcon (who is sometimes counted as Ptolemy VIII) could reach Egypt.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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