
Ptolemy XV Caesarion (Egyptian museum, Cairo, ©!!!).
From S. Walker & P. Higgs, Cleopatra of Egypt (2001). |
Ptolemy XV
Caesarion ('little Caesar'): king of the Ptolemaic
Empire, son and (from 44
to 30) co-ruler of Cleopatra
VII.
Relatives:
Main deeds:
- 23
June 47: born as son of Cleopatra
VII and recognized by Gaius
Julius Caesar
- After the death of Cleopatra's co-ruler Ptolemy XIV (August 44), Caesarion is made king
- 43: On behalf of the Senate, Cornelius Dolabella recognizes the boy-king.
- After 37, he
is no longer mentioned in official documents; probably because
Cleopatra now hopes to continue her dynasty through the children of
Marc Antony,the twins Alexander Helius and Cleopatra Selene
- 34: Adopted as son by Marc Antony
- 32: Marc Antony divorces his wife Octavia; outbreak of war between Octavian and Marc Antony.
- 31: Marc Antony and Cleopatra move to Greece, where they are isolated by Octavian's admiral Agrippa; although they are able to win a tactical victory and break out of their isolated position at Actium, the campaign is a distaster and Octavian is able to achieve control of the east
- Cleopatra
flees to Alexandria and opens negotiations with Octavian; her purpose
is to save her children and keep the Ptolemaic kingdom intact
- 12
August 30: After Octavian has declined to negotiate, Cleopatra commits
suicide; Marc Antony does the same. Their children survive,
- Caesarian tries to flee to Nubia and India, but is arrested and executed.
Egyptian title: Iwapanetjerentynehem Setepenptah Irmaatenra Sekhemankhamun
('Son of the avenging god, Chosen by Ptah, Dispenser of the justice of
Ra, Living power of Amun'; 'avenging god' is a common translation
of Soter,
'savior', one of Caesar's titles; it is also a title of the god
Horus, the son of Isis [Cleopatra's mythical alter ego] who had to
avenge the death of his father Osiris.)
Information on the web:
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