CHAP. II.

Ptolemy VI falls into the power of Antiochus king of Syria.... His brother Physcon raised to the throne of Egypt.... Disputes ensue between the brothers.... Both apply to Rome.... Ptolemy Philometor dies.... Physcon becomes sole king.... His cruel conduct depopulates the country. . . . He invites new inhabitants.... At his death Cleopatra his queen reigns in conjunction with one of her sons.... Much confusion in the country.... Thebes finally destroyed; and Cyrenaica becomes a province of Rome.

B. C. 181. THE

HE late king of Egypt left two sons and one daughter; but the eldest of them being only six years of age, his mother Cleopatra directed the affairs of government. In all respects she behaved with so much propriety, and was so much in favour with the people, that young Ptolomy,

as a token of filial respect, chose for himself the surname Philometor." But in the course of a few years this valuable woman died, and the management of the state passed into other hands.

Soon after his defeat and humiliation, Antiochus the Great was cut off, and the throne having been possessed by his son Seleucus, he soon died by poison; and his brother Antiochus was put into possession of the kingdom. He assumed Epiphanes as a surname, but his character was not illustrious, as the word would import. Violence, duplicity, and injustice, were distinguishing features in his reign. By the convulsive situation of the Egyptian and Syrian kingdoms, Epiphanes possessed those provinces, which his father had surrendered to Ptolemy; and the rulers of Egypt demanded a restoration of those disputed districts.c

This important claim roused the jealousy of the Syrian court, and every arrangement of Egypt was watched with anxiety. When, therefore, Ptolemy had arrived at that age, which entitled him by the laws to exercise the sove reign authority, Antiochus sent a confidential servant, under pretence of shewing respect to his nephew, but in reality with the view of knowing what the Egyptians proposed with respect to Palestine. It having appeared that they were determined to prosecute their claim, Antiochus visited his frontiers, and prepared for war. In the meantime he sent an embassy to Rome, to pay the tribute and engage the favour of the Romans; but he found that they were too much employed in Macedonia to interfere with the conduct which he might pursue; and, therefore, without waiting for an answer, he descended into Egypt. He made a successful incursion into that country, and got young Ptolemy under his power and authority.

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He treated that prince with so much parent affection, that he scarcely knew he was in bondage; and his actions were so gracious toward the people, that they were delighted with his conduct. Bu no sooner did his power seem to be established than he threw off the mask of benevolence, and things sacred as well as civil were equally exposed to devastation. While the kingdom was thus overawed and trembling, Antiochus withdrew to Antioch; and Alexandria, which had never surrendered to his power, attempted to raise a bulwark against him. The people considered Philometor as the prisoner of Antiochus, and as a rallying point of strength they placed his younger brother upon the

throne.

The new king was dignified by the name of Euergetes the second; but on account of his remarkable corpulence, he is generally mentioned in history by the name of Ptolemy Physcon. Antiochus now rose in the strength of his

fury, and threatened to destroy the combination of his enemies. But a representation and petition were sent from Alexandria to Rome, and ambassadors were appointed by the senate, to terminate the violence which subsisted between Syria and Egypt. The Rhodians interfered in behalf of Philometor; and, by their offices of friendship Antiochus surrendered to him the whole kingdom of Egypt, except the city of Pelusium. The retaining of this important station revealed the disguised intentions of the Syrian king; and to oppose his views the two brothers, Philometor and Euergetes, had a friendly interview, and agreed to reign in common.

Antiochus, to overthrow their scheme, took Cyprus, and sent his fleet to the Egyptian shores. He marched in person with an army, and at Rhinacurura met ambassadors from Egypt with proposals for peace. In a tone of haughty confidence, and having increased his pretension, he refused to withdraw his troops,