Ptolemaic Kings > Ptolemy V Epiphanes
Ptolemy V Epiphanes
Background
Ptolemy V Epiphanes (?? - ??), known in Greek as Πτολεμαῖος Ἐπιφανής or Ptolemaĩos Epiphanḗs, was a king of the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 204 BCE and 181 BCE and member of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt. He was born as the son of Ptolemy IV Philopater and Arsione III.
Ptolemy V EpiphanesTetradrachm issued by Ptolemy V Epiphanes, British MuseumTetradrachm issued by Ptolemy V Epiphanes, British MuseumPharaohReign204–181 BC (Ptolemaic)PredecessorPtolemy IVSuccessorPtolemy VIRoyal titulary [show]Ptolemy V Epiphanes (Ancient Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Ἐπιφανής, Ptolemaĩos Epiphanḗs, reigned 204–181 BC), son of Ptolemy IV Philopator and Arsinoe III of Egypt, was the fifth ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty. He inherited the throne at the age of five, and under a series of regents, the kingdom was paralyzed. The Rosetta Stone was produced during his reign as an adult.Contents [hide]1Reign1.1Regency infighting1.2War with Egypt and Macedonia1.3The Egyptian Revolt2Succession3Legacy4References5Bibliography6External linksReign[edit]Regency infighting[edit]Ptolemaic Empire in 200 BC, during the reign of Ptolemy V (before the second invasion of Antiochus III)Ptolemy Epiphanes was only a small boy when his father, Ptolemy Philopator, died. Philopator's two leading favorites, Agathocles and Sosibius, fearing that Arsinoe would secure the regency, had her murdered before she heard of her husband's death, thereby securing the regency for themselves. However, in 202 BC, Tlepolemus, the general in charge of Pelusium, put himself at the head of a revolt. Once Epiphanes was in the hands of Tlepolemus he was persuaded to give a sign that his mother's killers should be killed. The child king gave his consent, it is thought more from fear than anything else, and Agathocles along with several of his supporters were killed by the Alexandrian mob.[1]War with Egypt and Macedonia[edit]Antiochus III the Great and Philip V of Macedon made a pact to divide the Ptolemaic possessions overseas. Philip seized several islands and populated places in Caria and Thrace, whilst the Battle of Panium (198 BC) definitively transferred Coele-Syria, including Judea, from the Ptolemies to the Seleucids.Antiochus then concluded peace, giving his own daughter Cleopatra I to Epiphanes in marriage (193–192 BC). Nevertheless, when war broke out between Antiochus and Rome, Egypt ranged itself with the latter power.In manhood, Epiphanes was a passionate sportsman; he excelled in athletic exercises and the chase.The Egyptian Revolt[edit]Great cruelty and treachery were displayed in the suppression of the native rebellion, and some accounts represent Epiphanes as personally tyrannical. In 197 BC, Lycopolis was held by the forces of Ankmachis (also known as Chaonnophris), the secessionist pharaoh of Upper Egypt, but he was forced to withdraw to Thebes. The war between North and South continued until 185 BC with the arrest of Ankmachis by Ptolemaic General Conanus.In 183 BC/184 BC, the rebels in Lower Egypt surrendered on the basis of terms that Epiphanes had personally promised to honor. However, showing himself treacherous and vindictive, he had them put to death in a cruel manner.[1]The Memphis Decree, published in three languages on the Rosetta Stone and other stelae, announced the rule and ascension to godhood of Ptolemy V, and contained concessions to the priesthood, and has been termed a reward for the priests' support.[2]Succession[edit]Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt
King | Title | Meaning | Reign | Wife/Co-Ruler | Reign |
Ptolemy I | Soter | Savior | 305-285 BCE | Berenice I | Reign |
Ptolemy II | Philadelphus | Sister-loving | 285-246 BCE | Arsinoe I | Reign |
Ptolemy III | Euergetes I | The Benefactor | 246-221 BCE | Berenice II | Reign |
Ptolemy IV | Philopater | Father-loving | 221-204 BCE | Arsinoe III | Reign |
Ptolemy V | Epiphanes | The Illustrious | 204-180 BCE | Reign | |
Ptolemy VI | Philometor | Mother-loving | 180-145 BCE | Cleopatra I Cleopatra II & Ptolemy VIII Ptolemy Eupator | 180–176 BCE 170–163 BCE 153–150 BCE |
Ptolemy VII | Neos Philopator | Father-loving | 145 BCE | Cleopatra II | Reign |
Ptolemy VIII | Euergetes II | The Benefactor | 170–116 BCE | Cleopatra II | 145–131/130 BCE |
Cleopatra II | 124–116 BCE | ||||
Ptolemy VIII | Euergetes II | The Benefactor | 170–116 BCE | Cleopatra II | 124–116 BCE |
Ptolemy IX | Soter II | The Savior | 116-107 BCE | Cleopatra III | 107–101 BCE |
Ptolemy X | Alexander I | 107-88 BCE | Cleopatra III | 107–101 BCE | |
Ptolemy IX | Soter II | The Savior | 88-80 BCE | ||
Ptolemy XI | Alexander II | 80 BCE | Berenice III | 80 BCE | |
Ptolemy XIII | Neos Dionysos/Auletes | New Dionysus/Flute Player | 80–51 BCE | Berenice IV | 58–55 BCE |
Cleopatra VII | 51-30 BCE | Reign | |||
Ptolemy XIII Physcon | Dionysos | 51-47 BCE | Reign | ||
Ptolemy XIV | Philopator | Father-loving | 47-44 BCE | Reign | |
Ptolemy XV | Caesarion | Little Caesar | 44-30 BCE | Reign |