Ptolemy IX Lathryos died in 81 or 80, leaving no legitimate heir, and so Cleopatra Bernice ruled alone for a time. However, Rome's Sulla wanted a pro-Roman ruler on the throne, and sent the young son of Ptolemy X Alexander to Egypt, displaying Ptolemy Alexander's will in Rome as justification for this obvious intervention.

The will also required Ptolemy XI to marry Cleopatra Berenice, who was his stepmother (or possibly his natural mother - the ancient sources are unclear). However, nineteen days after the marriage, Ptolemy murdered his bride for unknown reasons, an unwise move since Berenice was very popular; Ptolemy was immediately lynched by the citizens of Alexandria.

He was succeeded by Ptolemy XII.

Comments

Numbering the Ptolemies is a modern invention; the Greeks distinguished them by nickname. The number given here is the present consensus; but there has been some disagreement about which Ptolemies should be counted as reigning. Older sources may give a number one higher or lower, but the same epithet.

Reference

Peter Green, Alexander to Actium (University of California Press, 1990), pp. 553-554 ISBN 0-520-05611-6

Ptolemaic King of Egypt with Berenice III
Preceded by: Berenice III
Succeeded by: Ptolemy XII

History of Greek and Roman Egypt