v55_0064 - EGYPT - LAGID OR PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM - PTOLEMY VIII EUERGETES II Dichalque, (MB, Æ 24)

EGYPT - LAGID OR PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM - PTOLEMY VIII EUERGETES II

(145-116 BC)

Ptolemy VIII is the son of Ptolemy V Epiphanes (204-180 BC) and Cleopatra I, daughter of Antiochus III of Syria. Child at the death of his father, it was his brother who ascended the throne under the name of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC). Under the regency of Cleopatra I until her death in 176 BC, the two brothers had to share the throne between 170 and 164 BC. At odds with his brother, Ptolemy VIII retired to Cyrenaica until on the death of Ptolemy VI in 145 BC Ptolemy VIII got rid of his nephew Ptolemy VII by having him assassinated. He successively married his sister Cleopatra II, widow of his brother, then his niece, Cleopatra III from 142 BC. He reigned for thirty years.