Siege of Alexandria (47 BC)
Encyclopedia
The Siege of Alexandria was a series of skirmishes and battles occurring between the forces of Julius Caesar
, Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII
between 48 and 47 BC. During this time Caesar was engaged in the Civil War
between himself and the forces of the Senate
.
between the forces of Caesar and those of Gnaeus Pompey Magnus and the Senate the majority of the forces commanded by Pompey were scattered or surrendered to Caesar. Pompey however escaped via Amphipolis
to Egypt. Pompey was killed upon landing in Egypt by former soldiers of his; Achillas
and Lucius Septimius
. The assassination was carried out by the advisors of the Pharaoh Ptolemy who deemed that they could endear themselves to Caesar by removing his enemy Pompey.
had been lent by Rome and agreed to settle the dispute between Ptolemy and his sister and co-regent Cleopatra VII. Caesar's choice to favor Cleopatra over her brother caused Ptolemy to lay siege to Alexandria with Cleopatra and Caesar inside. Utilising soldiers he had brought with him and a minor Italian militia left over from previous issues in 55 BC Caesar managed a defense of the city until relief came in the form of Mithridates of Pergamum
, and Antipater from Judea
. A final pitched battle was fought at the west side of the Nile with Caesar victorious.
and Cleopatra as co-rulers. Caesar reportedly toured Egypt for two months with Cleopatra before renewing his activities in the civil war.
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
, Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII
Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator
Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator was one of the last members of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt.- Co-ruler of Egypt, inner turmoil :...
between 48 and 47 BC. During this time Caesar was engaged in the Civil War
Caesar's civil war
The Great Roman Civil War , also known as Caesar's Civil War, was one of the last politico-military conflicts in the Roman Republic before the establishment of the Roman Empire...
between himself and the forces of the Senate
Optimates
The optimates were the traditionalist majority of the late Roman Republic. They wished to limit the power of the popular assemblies and the Tribunes of the Plebs, and to extend the power of the Senate, which was viewed as more dedicated to the interests of the aristocrats who held the reins of power...
.
Prelude
After the Battle of PharsalusBattle of Pharsalus
The Battle of Pharsalus was a decisive battle of Caesar's Civil War. On 9 August 48 BC at Pharsalus in central Greece, Gaius Julius Caesar and his allies formed up opposite the army of the republic under the command of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus...
between the forces of Caesar and those of Gnaeus Pompey Magnus and the Senate the majority of the forces commanded by Pompey were scattered or surrendered to Caesar. Pompey however escaped via Amphipolis
Amphipolis
Amphipolis was an ancient Greek city in the region once inhabited by the Edoni people in the present-day region of Central Macedonia. It was built on a raised plateau overlooking the east bank of the river Strymon where it emerged from Lake Cercinitis, about 3 m. from the Aegean Sea. Founded in...
to Egypt. Pompey was killed upon landing in Egypt by former soldiers of his; Achillas
Achillas
Achillas was one of the guardians of the Egyptian king Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopator, and commander of the king's troops, when Pompey fled to Egypt in 48 BC...
and Lucius Septimius
Lucius Septimius
Lucius Septimius was an Ancient Roman soldier stationed in Egypt in the 1st century BC. He is remembered by history as one of the assassins of Pompey the Great....
. The assassination was carried out by the advisors of the Pharaoh Ptolemy who deemed that they could endear themselves to Caesar by removing his enemy Pompey.
Events
Far from pleasing Caesar it caused him to weep for his one-time ally and son-in-law. Caesar demanded the money Ptolemy's father Ptolemy XII AuletesPtolemy XII Auletes
Ptolemy Neos Dionysos Theos Philopator Theos Philadelphos , more commonly known as "Auletes" or "Nothos" , was an Egyptian king of Macedonian descent...
had been lent by Rome and agreed to settle the dispute between Ptolemy and his sister and co-regent Cleopatra VII. Caesar's choice to favor Cleopatra over her brother caused Ptolemy to lay siege to Alexandria with Cleopatra and Caesar inside. Utilising soldiers he had brought with him and a minor Italian militia left over from previous issues in 55 BC Caesar managed a defense of the city until relief came in the form of Mithridates of Pergamum
Mithridates I of the Bosporus
Mithridates I of the Bosporus sometimes known as Mithridates II of the Bosporan and Mithridates of Pergamon , was a nobleman from Anatolia. Mithridates was one of the sons born to King Mithridates VI of Pontus from his mistress, the Galatian Celtic Princess Adobogiona. He also had a full blooded...
, and Antipater from Judea
Antipater the Idumaean
Antipater I the Idumaean was the founder of the Herodian Dynasty and father of Herod the Great. According to Josephus, he was the son of Antipas...
. A final pitched battle was fought at the west side of the Nile with Caesar victorious.
Aftermath
Ptolemy's crown was passed to his younger brother Ptolemy XIVPtolemy XIV of Egypt
Ptolemy XIV , was a son of Ptolemy XII of Egypt and one of the last members of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt. Following the death of his older brother Ptolemy XIII of Egypt on January 13, 47 BC, he was proclaimed Pharaoh and co-ruler by their older sister and remaining Pharaoh, Cleopatra VII of...
and Cleopatra as co-rulers. Caesar reportedly toured Egypt for two months with Cleopatra before renewing his activities in the civil war.