SEVENTH OF HER NAME

Who were the other Cleopatras?

CLEOPATRA I c.204-176 BCE

The first Cleopatra of the Ptolemy line was actually from Syria, the daughter of Antiochus III. She was married to Ptolemy V Epiphanes in 193 BCE as part of a peace treaty between the two kings. When her husband died in 180 BCE she took sole control of the kingdom as regent for her young son, managing the duelling interests of Syria and Rome.

CLEOPATRA IV c.140-112 BCE

Originally married to her brother Ptolemy IX Philometor Soter II, their mother Cleopatra III forced a divorce when they began to agitate for their mother’s overthrow. Cleopatra IV raised an army and offered it to her cousin Antiochus IX Cyzicenus in exchange for his support. She became trapped in Antioch in the ensuing conflict and was executed.

CLEOPATRA II c.183-116 BCE

Sometimes referred to as Cleopatra II Philometor, meaning ‘Mother-loving’, Cleopatra II was the daughter of Cleopatra I and like her mother would rule Egypt alone for a period. Having been married to both her brothers (this was not uncommon for the Ptolemy pharaohs) she took over Upper Egypt when Ptolemy VIII was exiled.

CLEOPATRA V c.95-57 BCE

The illegitimate daughter of Ptolemy IX Philometor, she married her (also illegitimate) brother Ptolemy XII Auletes in order to bolster their joint claim to the throne in 80 BCE. They depended heavily on the support of Rome in order to maintain their influence. Further facts on Cleopatra V are limited, but she is likely to have been the mother of Cleopatra VII.

CLEOPATRA III c.160-101 BCE

The daughter of Cleopatra II got caught up in the machinations of her father and uncle, ultimately having to marry her uncle (also now her stepfather). She sided with her husband when a schism of support emerged in Egypt and retreated to Cyprus. After their return, Cleopatra

III acted as co-ruler with a succession of male pharaohs from 116 to 101 BCE.

CLEOPATRA VI c.95-55

The exact identity and lineage of Cleopatra VI is rather confused. It’s possible that she was one of the daughters of Cleopatra V and Ptolemy XII Auletes alongside Cleopatra VII and ruled alongside another sister named Berenice IV. It’s also been argued that Cleopatra V and VI were the same person. Her true identity is unfortunately lost.