A Throne Built on Instability
Long before Cleopatra became one of history’s most famous rulers, her family was already caught in a dangerous web of power struggles, betrayals, and political intrigue.
The story begins with her father, Ptolemy XII, better known as Auletes. He inherited a claim to Egypt’s throne after the death of a previous ruler left no legitimate male heir. To strengthen his position, he married his own sister, Tryphaena, following a common royal practice within the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Despite his royal title, Auletes was not admired by many of his subjects. Known for his love of luxury, drinking, and entertainment—particularly flute playing, which earned him the nickname “Auletes”—he spent enormous sums of money and relied heavily on Roman support to maintain power.
Exile and a Daughter’s Ambition
In 58 BC, growing public anger forced Auletes to flee Egypt. His extravagant spending and costly payments to Rome had made him deeply unpopular.
With the king gone, power fell into the hands of his wife Tryphaena and their eldest daughter, Berenice.
However, sharing authority was not something Berenice seemed willing to do. Historical accounts suggest she had her mother poisoned, allowing her to rule with greater control. When public pressure mounted for her to marry, she chose Prince Seleucus Kybiosaktes as her husband.
The marriage was short-lived.
According to historical records, Berenice eventually ordered her husband’s execution, reportedly by strangulation, so that she could continue ruling without interference.
The King’s Revenge
Berenice’s reign came to an abrupt end when Auletes returned to Egypt with military support from Rome.
Determined to reclaim his throne, he quickly crushed opposition. Berenice and many of her supporters paid the ultimate price. The restored king ordered her execution, eliminating one of the biggest threats to his authority.
Although he had regained control, his dependence on Roman backing highlighted how vulnerable Egypt had become to outside influence.
Enter Cleopatra
Auletes ruled for only a few more years before his death. Before he died, he took an important step to secure the future of his dynasty.
His will named his son, Ptolemy XIII, and his daughter, Cleopatra VII, as joint heirs. To ensure the succession would be respected, Rome was designated as the executor of the arrangement.
Cleopatra was no stranger to politics. Born around 69 BC, she had already gained experience in royal affairs while still a teenager. At just 14 years old, she served as co-regent alongside her father after his return from exile.
By the time Auletes died in 51 BC, Cleopatra was about 18 years old. Her younger brother Ptolemy XIII was only ten.
A Partnership Destined to Fail
Following Egyptian royal tradition, Cleopatra married her younger brother and ruled jointly with him.
On paper, they shared power.
In reality, Cleopatra had ambitions far beyond being a ceremonial co-ruler.
Having witnessed years of family betrayals, assassinations, and political maneuvering, she understood that survival in the royal court depended on strength and determination. It quickly became clear that she intended to play a leading role in governing Egypt.
The partnership between the young queen and her brother would soon deteriorate into a fierce struggle for control.
The Beginning of a Legend
Before Cleopatra became famous for her relationships with powerful Roman leaders and her dramatic role in world history, she emerged from a family marked by conflict, ambition, and bloodshed.
The battles she would later fight for Egypt’s future were shaped by the turbulent world into which she was born—a world where loyalty was fragile, power was everything, and survival often came at a terrible cost.
But Cleopatra’s story was only just beginning.
In the next part, discover how a young queen challenged her brother and fought for Egypt’s throne.
