Cleopatra II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cleopatra II |
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| Queen of Egypt | |
| Reign |
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| Consort | Ptolemy VI of Egypt, Ptolemy VIII of Egypt |
| Children |
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| Father | Ptolemy V Epiphanes |
| Mother | Cleopatra I of Egypt |
| Born | c. 185 BC |
| Died | 116/115 BC (Aged 69) |
Cleopatra II (Greek: Κλεοπάτρα; born around 185 BC – died 116/115 BC) was a powerful queen of Ptolemaic Egypt. She ruled for many years, from 175 to 115 BC. She often shared power with her two brother-husbands and her daughter. Sometimes, she was even in a rivalry with her younger brother, Ptolemy VIII.
During her first time as queen, until 164 BC, she ruled with Ptolemy VI Philometor. He was her first husband and older brother. She also ruled with Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, her younger brother. Later, from 163 BC until 145 BC, she ruled again with Ptolemy VI. After his death, she married her younger brother, Ptolemy VIII. She then ruled with him and her daughter, Cleopatra III. From 131 BC to 127 BC, she ruled Egypt all by herself. Her last time as queen, from 124 BC to 115 BC, was spent ruling with Ptolemy VIII and Cleopatra III.
Contents
Life of Cleopatra II
Her Early Years (before 175 BC)
Cleopatra II was the daughter of Ptolemy V. Her mother was most likely Cleopatra I. If Cleopatra I was her mother, then Cleopatra II was a full sister to Ptolemy VI Philometor and Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II Tryphon. She would later marry both of her brothers. This was a common practice in the royal families of ancient Egypt.
Sharing Power (175–131 BC)
After her mother, Cleopatra I, passed away in 176 BC, Cleopatra II married her brother Ptolemy VI Philometor. This happened around 175 BC. Cleopatra II, Ptolemy VI, and their brother Ptolemy VIII, all ruled Egypt together. This co-rule lasted from about 170 BC to 164 BC.
Around 169 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes from Syria attacked Egypt. Ptolemy VI Philometor met Antiochus IV outside the city of Alexandria. Ptolemy VI was crowned king in Memphis and ruled alongside Cleopatra II. In 164 BC, Cleopatra II and her husband were briefly removed from power by Ptolemy VIII. But they were able to get their power back in 163 BC.
Ptolemy VI died in 145 BC. Cleopatra II then agreed to marry her younger brother, Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II. Ptolemy VIII became king and married Cleopatra II. Between 142 BC and 139 BC, Ptolemy VIII also married Cleopatra's younger daughter, Cleopatra III. This made Cleopatra III his niece and stepdaughter.
Ruling Alone (131–127 BC)
In 131 BC, Cleopatra II led a rebellion against Ptolemy VIII. She managed to force him and Cleopatra III to leave Egypt.
Cleopatra II then ruled Egypt as the only queen until 127 BC. After this, she had to escape to Syria. There, she joined her daughter Cleopatra Thea and her son-in-law Demetrius II Nicator.
Her Last Reign (124–116 BC)
In 124 BC, Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII officially made peace. After this, she ruled together with her brother and daughter. This lasted until June 116 BC, when Ptolemy VIII died.
Ptolemy VIII left the kingdom to be ruled by Cleopatra III and one of their sons. The people of Alexandria wanted Cleopatra III to choose her older son, Ptolemy Lathyros, as her co-ruler.
Cleopatra II is not mentioned in historical records after October 116 BC. It is believed that she died around 116 or 115 BC.
Her Children
With Ptolemy VI, Cleopatra II had at least four children. She might have had another daughter named Berenice.
- Ptolemy Eupator: Born in 166 BC. He ruled with his father for a short time. Sadly, he died at a young age around 152 BC.
- Cleopatra Thea: Born around 164 BC. She married three different kings: Alexander Balas, Demetrius II Nicator, and Antiochus VII Sidetes.
- Berenice: Perhaps born between 163 and 160 BC. She died young, around 150 BC.
- Cleopatra III: Born between 160 and 155 BC. She married her uncle, Ptolemy VIII.
- Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator: Born around 152 BC.
Ptolemy VIII and his older sister, Cleopatra II, are thought to have had at least one son.
- Ptolemy Memphites: Born between 144 and 142 BC. Some historians think he might be the same person as Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator.
See also
In Spanish: Cleopatra II de Egipto para niños
