Ptolemy XI was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt for a few days in 80 BC.
His uncle Ptolemy IX Lathryos died in 81 BC or 80 BC, leaving only his sole legitimate daughter as his heir, and so Cleopatra Berenice (= Berenice III) ruled alone for a time. However, Rome's Sulla wanted a pro-Roman ruler on the throne, and sent the young son of Ptolemy X to Egypt, displaying Ptolemy Alexander's will in Rome as supposed justification for this obvious interference.
The will also apparently required Ptolemy XI to marry Cleopatra Berenice, who was his stepmother and half-sister. However, nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered her for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular; Ptolemy was soon lynched by the citizens of Alexandria.
His uncle Ptolemy IX Lathryos died in 81 BC or 80 BC, leaving only his sole legitimate daughter as his heir, and so Cleopatra Berenice (= Berenice III) ruled alone for a time. However, Rome's Sulla wanted a pro-Roman ruler on the throne, and sent the young son of Ptolemy X to Egypt, displaying Ptolemy Alexander's will in Rome as supposed justification for this obvious interference.
The will also apparently required Ptolemy XI to marry Cleopatra Berenice, who was his stepmother and half-sister. However, nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered her for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular; Ptolemy was soon lynched by the citizens of Alexandria.
Epithet: Aléxandros (Alexander)
An
AE
80? Drachm
struck 113-80 BC
in
Alexandria
Obverse: Head of Zeus right with Amon's horns
Reverse: Two eagles standing on lightning, cornucopiae before them ΠΤΟΛEMAIOY ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ
Diameter:
19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.37 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 8.37 g
No notes for this coin
Svoronos 1426/1427; SNG Cop 315; Sear 7901