Egypt’s Hellenistic regent Cleopatra I, although a…

Egypt’s Hellenistic regent Cleopatra I, although a daughter of a Seleucid king, has not taken sides in Syria and remains friendly with Rome.

Mother and son govern effectively until her death in 176, when ten-year-old Ptolemy VI Philometor (Greek: Loving his Mother), beset by problems of dynastic rivalry, becomes sole ruler of Egypt, and immediately falls under the influence of two ambitious courtiers.