r verse this appointment; and when Pto- -k Dion. Cass. edit. Hamburgi, A. D. 1750, p. 60. Vol. I. X Antiochus. By the jealousy and intrigues of Tryphena, Cleopatra was put to death; but soon did Tryphena herself suffer the punishment of her crimes. The kingdom of Syria was now hastening to dissolution; and as it was diminished in strength, the power of Jerusalem became more formidable. To assist the Syrians against the Jews, Lathyrus readily granted his aid, but, in the meantime, the caprice and power of his mother drove him to Cyprus, and Alexander was recalled to the Egyptian government. From Cyprus Ptolemy Lathyrus penetrated into Judea; and, upon the banks of the Jordan, gained a complete victory over the Jews. His success in that country alarmed the queen of Egypt, and by a powerful army she compelled him to return to Cyprus. But the queen-mother still was embroiled at home, and by her son Alexander was finally put to death. This parricide rendered him odious to the Egyptians; his own mind was in dis traction; and he wandered a vagabond, till he was killed in a battle at sea, after he had reigned partially, and nominally, for the space of nineteen years. Ptolemy Lathyrus was called to his paternal inheritance in Egypt; and he endeavoured to restore the power and solidity of his shattered dominions. During the convulsed state of Egypt, Ethir opia, and the Arabian coast had revolted, and even Upper Egypt was in a state of rebellion. In the vigour which was necessary to subdue this district of the country, much devastation was commit ted. The city of Thebes was completely overthrown, and the last ray of its glory was taken away. Sylla in his wars with Greece solicited ships from the maritime allies of Rome; and with the view of receiving aid from Egypt, Lucullus arrived at Alexandria. He was treated with the highest respect; but the enfeebled state of the country could not afford him the aid which he requir ed. Ere long Ptolemy Lathyrus died, when his reign had continued about thirty-six years. Eleven of these he had been joined in power with his mother; eighteen he had governed Cyprus; and seven years he had sat alone in full possession of the Egyptian kingdom. Ptolemy Apion, whom Physcon had by his concubine Irene, was appointed, by his father, king of Cyreniaca. With so much prudence did he govern this kingdom, that while Egypt was distracted by changes, and torn by violence, the realms of Apion remained in peace. To prevent the evils which might befal his kingdom, if again united to the turbulent country of Egypt, he bequeathed it, by will, to the Roman people. For a while it enjoyed its liberties, and felt no other effect of foreign power, but the payment of a small yearly tribute to Rome. However, so many disorders ensued; and so many factions sprung up, when there was no hand to controul, that it was found necessary to reduce it to the condition of a Roman province. B. C. 81. Cleopatra was the only legitimate child of Ptolemy Lathyrus, and she was immediately declared to be queen. She was the first female who had reigned alone in Egypt; but there soon sprung up a rival for the throne. When the mother of the late king marched an army against him into Phonicia, she sent for safety into the island of Cos the son of his brother Alexander, and with him she deposited her jewels, and other valuable effects. The distracted state of Egypt compelled her to neglect the objects of her care in Cos; and they fell into the hands of Mithridates the king of Pontus. That monarch gave young Alexander the means of education suitable to his birth; but the prince fled from a court where terror and devastation every where prevailed. C Liv. brev. lxx ; Justin, hb. 39, c. 4 & 5. |