Ptolemy VI (Philometor: Beloved of his Mother)

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He ascended the throne around the year 180 BC , but under the full supervision of his mother Cleopatra I until her death . Then he was under the supervision of Euloeus and Lenoeus who were two of the palace's slaves . Reaching the age of fifteen , he was announced in a formal procession at Memphis as the King of Egypt in 172 BC . At that time , he was already married to his elder sister Cleopatra II .
At that time , Antiochus IV was ruling Syria , and suffering from different problems with the Jews . The royal court in Alexandria thought that this was the best time to attack Syria to take back the area of Coele-Syria , and they started preparing the army for a Sixth Syrian War . Each of the two groups sent delegation to explain their position to Rome , and Rome was not very keen to solve their problems , as Rome was getting ready for the Third Macedonian War , and they found that the best thing for them is to keep these two powers threatening each other , so they would not interfere in the war anyway .
Antiochus IV moved towards Egypt , and he was crowned as a king at Memphis following the same procession as Alexander the Great which made the people of Alexandria really furious , and they started a great revolution against both Euloeus and Lenoeus .
Antiochus IV announced the younger brother of Ptolemy VI as the Ruler of Egypt , since he knew that the people of Alexandria loved him badly , but this was hardly accepted by all the Egyptians , since Ptolemy VI was the legal heir to the throne . Antiochus IV didn’t find any better solution except leaving both kings ruling . But he had problems in his empire: another revolution took place by the Jews in Palestine , so he was obliged to leave Egypt under the rule of both kings and to go to Palestine .
After Antiochus IV solved his problems in Palestine . He decided in 168 BC to return back to Egypt to meet Ptolemy VI to explain to him what happened . At that time , Cleopatra II succeeded in keeping the whole condition stable between the two brothers , and they were ruling together .
When Antiochus IV was in his way to Egypt , he conquered Cyprus and reached Alexandria . The two Ptolemies tried to convince him to go to his own country , but he refused . They didn't find any alternative but to send to Rome asking for its advice . Rome didn't support the idea of Antiochus IV ruling , especially after they won the Third Macedonian War , so they sent Popilus to negotiate with Antiochus IV . Popilus asked him in a very diplomatic way to leave Egypt , and when Antiochus IV asked for a chance to think , Popilus drew a circle on the sand around the legs of Antiochus IV asking him to make his decision before he steps out from the circle . Antiochus IV didn't find any other option except leaving Egypt and shaking Popilus' hands expressing his loyalty to Rome .
After the complete backing of Antiochus IV of Egypt , Egypt was greatly loyal to the Romans , since they saved them from Antiochus IV .
Problems started between the two brothers , and they both asked Rome for help . Rome decided to divide Egypt between them as well as the countries under Egypt's control . Philometor ruled Egypt and Cyprus , while the other brother ruled a part of Libya . The younger brother left a will that this should be ruled by Rome after his death . Ptolemy VI announced his elder son , Eupator , as his co-regent in 153 – 152 BC , but this son died suddenly . The condition in Egypt was unstable and it was easy for Antiochus IV to re-conquer Egypt , but he was very busy with his internal affairs until he was killed in war in 145 BC .
Philometor announced his second son Naeos Philometor as his co-regent under the supervision of his mother Cleopatra II . Philometor died leaving his youngest son Naeos Philometor under Cleopatra II's supervision . At that time , Rome started to rule most of the world . Ptolemy VIII (The uncle of Naeos Philometor) wanted to have full control of Egypt through taking the position of Cleopatra II , and he was even ready to spark a war against his sister and nephew to rule Egypt . At that time , Philip V , King of Macedonia , died , and his son Perseus was defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Rydna . Macedonia was then divided into several cities until finally in 147 BC it was reduced into a Roman city .