Cleopatra Thea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cleopatra Thea |
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Gold coin of Cleopatra, Ake mint
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| Seleucid Queen (Queen Consort of Syria) | |
| Tenure | 150 BC–126 BC |
| Coronation | 150 BC |
| Predecessor | Laodice V |
| Seleucid Queen (Queen Regnant of Syria) | |
| Reign | 126–121 BC |
| Coronation | 126 BC |
| Successor | Tryphaena |
| Co-rulers | Seleucus V (126–125 BC) Antiochus VIII (125–121 BC) |
| Born | c. 164 BC Egypt |
| Died | 121 BC |
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| Dynasty | Ptolemaic |
| Father | Ptolemy VI |
| Mother | Cleopatra II |
Cleopatra Thea (born around 164 BC, died 121 BC) was a powerful queen of the Seleucid Empire. Her name, Cleopatra Thea, means "Cleopatra the Goddess." She was also called Eueteria, which means "good-harvest" or "fruitful season." Cleopatra Thea was queen of Syria from 150 BC to about 125 BC. During this time, she was married to three different Syrian kings: Alexander Balas, Demetrius II Nicator, and Antiochus VII Sidetes. After 125 BC, she ruled Syria on her own. Later, she shared power with her son, Antiochus VIII Grypus, until 121 BC.
Contents
Biography of Cleopatra Thea
Early Life and First Marriage
Cleopatra Thea grew up in Egypt. She was the daughter of King Ptolemy VI and Queen Cleopatra II. She was likely born around 164 BC.
In 150 BC, Cleopatra Thea married Alexander Balas. Their wedding was a grand event held in Ptolemais Akko. They had a son named Antiochus VI Dionysus.
Later Marriages and Challenges
In 145 BC, Cleopatra Thea's father, Ptolemy VI, invaded Syria. He defeated Alexander Balas in battle. Soon after, Cleopatra Thea married Demetrius II Nicator. Her father died a few days later.
Demetrius II became king and ruled with young Antiochus VI. However, Antiochus VI may have died in 142 BC.
In 139 BC, Demetrius II was captured while fighting against the Parthians. He was held prisoner for ten years. After Demetrius was captured, his younger brother, Antiochus VII Sidetes, came to Syria. Antiochus VII took the throne and married Cleopatra Thea in 138 BC. They had at least one son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus.
In 129 BC, the Parthians released Demetrius II. They hoped he would cause trouble for Antiochus VII. That same year, Antiochus VII was killed fighting the Parthians. Cleopatra Thea had already sent her son, Antiochus IX, to Cyzicus in Asia Minor. This was a safe place for him. Demetrius II returned and became king again. He took Cleopatra Thea as his queen once more.
Ruling as Queen and Co-Regent
In 125 BC, Demetrius II's older son, Seleucus, became King Seleucus V. But his mother, Cleopatra Thea, had him killed shortly after.
From 125 BC to 121 BC, Cleopatra Thea ruled Syria. To make her rule stronger, she shared the throne with her son, Antiochus VIII Grypus. Antiochus VIII married Tryphaena, who was the daughter of Ptolemy VIII Physcon and Cleopatra III.
As Antiochus VIII grew older, he became harder for his mother to control. In 121 BC, Cleopatra Thea decided to get rid of him. One day, when he returned from hunting, she offered him a cup of wine. This was unusual, so Grypus became suspicious. He forced her to drink the wine instead, which caused her death.
After his mother's death, Grypus brought stability and financial recovery to the kingdom. This peace lasted for about eight years. Then, around 114 BC, Cleopatra Thea's other son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, returned to Syria. He wanted to claim the throne, and a civil war began again.
Family of Cleopatra Thea
Cleopatra Thea was the daughter of King Ptolemy VI Philometor and Queen Cleopatra II of Egypt. She had two brothers named Ptolemy Eupator and Ptolemy. Her sister, Cleopatra III, became Queen of Egypt. Cleopatra III married their uncle, Ptolemy VIII.
Cleopatra Thea was married three times:
- She married Alexander Balas around 150 BC. They had a son named Antiochus VI Dionysus. Alexander Balas was not a very good ruler. Her father ended this marriage. Alexander Balas died in battle in 145 BC.
- Cleopatra Thea married Demetrius II Nicator in 145 BC. Demetrius was captured by the Parthians from 139 to 129 BC. He was later killed in Tyre in 125 BC. Cleopatra Thea and Demetrius had at least two sons: Seleucus V Philometor and Antiochus VIII Grypus. Seleucus V was killed by his mother. Antiochus VIII later killed his mother. They also had a daughter named Laodice.
- Cleopatra Thea married Antiochus VII Sidetes in 137 BC. He was Demetrius' younger brother. Cleopatra and Antiochus VII had at least one son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus. They may have had other children too.
See also
In Spanish: Cleopatra Tea para niños
