Role Ruler Successor Ptolemy XII | Uncles Ptolemy IX Lathyros Name Ptolemy Alexander | |
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Spouse Berenice III of Egypt (m. 80 BC) Parents Cleopatra Selene I, Ptolemy X Alexander I Cousins Berenice III of Egypt, Ptolemy XII Auletes Grandparents Cleopatra III of Egypt, Ptolemy VIII Physcon Similar People Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator, Ptolemy XII Auletes, Ptolemy VIII Physcon, Berenice IV of Egypt, Cleopatra III of Egypt | ||
Predecessor Ptolemy X Alexander I Assassinated 80 BC, Alexandria, Egypt | ||
Ptolemy XI Alexander II (Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Ἀλέξανδρος, Ptolemaĩos Aléxandros) was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt for a few days in 80 BC.
Ptolemy XI was born to Ptolemy X Alexander I and either Cleopatra Selene or Berenice III.
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 (or possibly his natural mother – the ancient sources are unclear). However, nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered his bride for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular; Ptolemy was soon lynched by the citizens of Alexandria.
He was succeeded by his cousin Ptolemy XII.