Cleopatra Thea
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Cleopatra Thea (ca. 164 BC - 121 BC) surnamed Euergetis (i.e., "Benefactress"), ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire, was a daughter of Ptolemy VI of Egypt and Cleopatra II of Egypt. She ruled Syria from 125 BC to 121 BC.
She married Alexander Balas in about 150 BC. This union produced Antiochus VI Dionysus.
Her second marriage was to Demetrius II Nicator in about 148 BC. Their children were Seleucus V Philometor, Antiochus VIII Grypus, and possibly a daughter (Laodice?). Demetrius was captured fighting against the Parthians and was consequently off the scene for a while.
Her third husband, married during Demetrius' captivity, was his brother Antiochus VII Sidetes. They certainly had one son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, but the names of any other children are uncertain. In about 129 BC, Antiochus was killed fighting the Parthians. Demetrius had been released and returned home to reclaim his throne and queen. Cleopatra had taken the precaution of sending Antiochus IX (her son by Antiochus VII) to Cyzicus in Asia Minor (hence his surname).
Demetrius unsuccessfully attempted to invade Egypt. In retaliation, the ruler of Egypt put forward Alexander Zabinas, allegedly a son of Alexander Balas as king of Syria, provoking civil war. After a defeat by Zabinas' forces at Damascus, Demetrius retreated to Ptolemais Hermiou only to find the city gates closed against him by Cleopatra. He boarded a ship to flee, but was killed on Cleopatra's orders.
From 125 BC to 121 BC, Cleopatra ruled Syria, killing Demetrius' eldest son Seleucus when he attempted to claim the throne. To legitimize her reign, she shared the throne with her son Antiochus VIII Grypus.
Antiochus became less controllable as he grew up and in 121 BC, she decided to eliminate him. As he returned from a hunt one day, she offered him a cup of wine. Since this was not common behavior for her, Antiochus was suspicious and forced her to drink the wine, which killed her.
| Seleucid dynasty Born: 164 BC Died: 121 BC |
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| Preceded by Demetrius II Nicator |
Seleucid Queen 125–121 BC with Antiochus VIII Grypus |
Succeeded by Antiochus VIII Grypus |
