--- title: Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator author: Tom Cox source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2025-04-09 --- # Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator _Authored by [Tom Cox](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/tho.w.cox/)_ [Ptolemy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ptolemy/) XIII Theos Philopator (The Father-loving [God](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/), born 62/61 BCE, died 47 BCE) was [pharaoh of Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/25/pharaoh-of-egypt/) from 51 BCE until his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/). His reign began as co-ruler with his sister, the famous [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/), following the wishes of their father, [Ptolemy XII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XII/) Auletes. Ptolemy battled with [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) for control of [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) but was defeated at the [Battle of the Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2244/battle-of-the-nile/) in 47 BCE. He drowned, aged 15, while trying to escape the victorious [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) dictator. ### A Brief Joint Rule Ptolemy was just eleven years old on ascending to the throne. [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) was eighteen and took the early lead in the relationship, appearing on [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) and named alone in official documents. Due to Ptolemy's age, a regent was appointed for him, the eunuch Pothinus. Pothinus and some other court officials – most notably Achillas, the general, and Theodotus, Ptolemy's tutor – formed a closely-knit group with the young Ptolemy. In 48 BCE, this group sought to depose Cleopatra, fearful of her ambition and power. Cleopatra fled to [Syria](https://www.worldhistory.org/syria/), intending to raise an army and return as ruler of Egypt. ### The Romans Arrive At this time, the Roman statesman [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) arrived in Egypt after a disastrous loss to [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) in their own civil [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/). Pompey appealed to Ptolemy for aid, calling upon the good relations between himself and Ptolemy's father, Ptolemy XII, whose claim to the throne he had helped gain official recognition in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). The [pharaoh](https://www.worldhistory.org/pharaoh/) and his group consulted, deciding upon a plot to pretend to welcome Pompey but to actually kill him and use his murder to make an alliance with Caesar, who was clearly winning the war for Rome. Caesar arrived in Egypt, landing at [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/), chasing Pompey but unaware of his death. The [Egyptian](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Egyptian/) court immediately had Pompey's head delivered to the dictator. Upon learning of the murder of his rival, Caesar expressed his disgust, ending any Ptolemaic hope for an alliance. ### Under Caesar's Thumb Summoning the warring siblings to him, Caesar attempted to negotiate a peace between Ptolemy and Cleopatra. Cleopatra took the opportunity to approach Caesar with different tactics, sneaking into the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) at Alexandria that Caesar was occupying and – reading the situation – becoming his lover. Caesar used his authority as dictator of Rome and an apparent will left by Ptolemy XII – the former pharaoh having conveniently sent one copy to Rome and kept one in Alexandria – to reunite the two as co-rulers of Egypt. In the same action, he made their younger siblings Ptolemy (the future Ptolemy XIV) and [Arsinoe IV](https://www.worldhistory.org/Arsinoe_IV/) rulers of [Cyprus](https://www.worldhistory.org/cyprus/). [ ![Bust of Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/574.jpg?v=1755518531) Bust of Julius Caesar Tataryn77 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/574/bust-of-julius-caesar/ "Bust of Julius Caesar")With Ptolemy now in Caesar's possession, the Egyptian court continued its campaign against Caesar under Achillas, Pothinus having travelled with Ptolemy and been executed by Caesar. Arsinoe managed to escape Caesar's custody while Achillas and the Egyptian army occupied Alexandria, being accepted as their ruler, providing legitimacy by association with someone of royal blood. In-fighting began, the disputes between the trio of Arsinoe, her advisor Ganymedes and Achillas resulting in Achillas's murder. This barely quelled the dissent, however, and the Egyptians petitioned Caesar for the return of Ptolemy, in exchange for Arsinoe, the war effort having fallen away somewhat after initial successes. ### Return to Freedom & the Conclusion of War Caesar agreed to the [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), believing it better for his reputation to defeat Ptolemy than Arsinoe and using the opportunity to stall while waiting for reinforcements. Caesar himself tells us that Ptolemy cried upon being told he had to leave him, but the young pharaoh immediately resumed the war effort, even with his two most prominent advisors – Pothinus and Achillas – now dead. Shortly afterwards, Caesar finally welcomed reinforcements, ending his long numbers disadvantage. This, allied with Ptolemy's tactical inexperience – and loss of his chief advisors and military strategists – against Caesar's tactical acumen was eventually to be the pharaoh's downfall. After a series of battles, Caesar outmanoeuvred Ptolemy XIII in the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the [Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/nile/), breaking his forces and forcing him to flee. In early 47 BCE, Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator drowned in the Nile, trying to escape a victorious Caesar, at just 15 years old. Caesar now had complete control of Egypt, reinstating Cleopatra VII to the throne, who became co-ruler with her even younger (aged 13) brother, Ptolemy XIV Theos Philopator II. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Bevan, E.R. *The House of Ptolemy.* Ares Publishers, 1985.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/089005536X/) - [Chauveau, M. *Egypt in the Age of Cleopatra.* Cornell University Press, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0801485762/) - [Dio Cassius. *Roman History, Volume IV.* Harvard University Press, 1916.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0674990730/) - [Hölbl, G. *A History of the Ptolemaic Empire.* Routledge, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0415234891/) - [Julius Caesar. *The Civil War.* Oxford University Press, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199540624/) - [Ptolemy XIII, with discussion of dates](http://www.tyndalehouse.com/Egypt/ptolemies/ptolemy_xiii.htm "Ptolemy XIII, with discussion of dates"), accessed 27 Feb 2017. - [Stanwick, P.E. *Portraits of the Ptolemies.* University of Texas Press, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0292777728/) ## About the Author Tom possesses an M.A. in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Bristol. His special interests include Ptolemaic Egypt and Macedonian Greece. He loves history and sharing exceptional stories with others. ## Timeline - **c. 62 BCE - 47 BCE**: Life of [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/) Theos Philopater. - **51 BCE**: [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) accepts her brother [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/) as co-ruler. - **49 BCE**: Sole rule of [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/), recognized by both Gaius [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/), the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) dictator, and his opponent, [Pompey the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/). - **48 BCE**: [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) tries to return, but her army is defeated near Pelusium. - **48 BCE**: [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) defeats [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) ([Battle of Pharsalus](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/697/the-battle-of-pharsalus/)); Pompey flees to [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and is killed by courtiers of [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/). - **48 BCE**: [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) arrives in [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and orders [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/) and [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/) to disband their armies, but instead, [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) breaks out. - **Jan 47 BCE**: [Ptolemy XIII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/) drowns in the [Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/nile/) fleeing [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/). ## External Links - [History vs. Cleopatra - Alex Gendler](https://ed.ted.com/lessons/history-vs-cleopatra-alex-gendler) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cox, T. (2017, February 27). Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy\_XIII\_Theos\_Philopator/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/) ### Chicago Cox, Tom. "Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 27, 2017. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy\_XIII\_Theos\_Philopator/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/). ### MLA Cox, Tom. "Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Feb 2017, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy\_XIII\_Theos\_Philopator/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemy_XIII_Theos_Philopator/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Tom Cox](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/tho.w.cox/ "User Page: Tom Cox"), published on 27 February 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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