CLEOPATRA THEA

(c. 165–121/0 BC)

Daughter of Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II. She was married in 150 BC to the Syrian pretender Alexander I Balas, who was installed as Seleucid ruler with the aid of his father-in-law, but the allies soon fell out. Cleopatra Thea was given to his rival, Demetrius II. Balas was defeated in battle by Ptolemy VI in 145 BC, after which he was killed and Ptolemy died of wounds. Demetrius II was captured in battle with the Parthians in 139 BC, and Cleopatra Thea married his brother, Antiochus VII Sidetes, who was himself killed in battle with the Parthians in 129 BC. Demetrius II was restored but proved unpopular and was killed at Tyre in 126/125 BC. His widow ruled alone or in association with her sons by Demetrius II, Seleucus V (allegedly killed by her), and Antiochus VIII Grypus. She was apparently poisoned by her son in 121/120 BC after her attempt to murder him had failed. Her other son, Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, by Antiochus VII, became a rival to his half brother, Antiochus VIII Grypus. Both brothers married Ptolemaic princesses, the former Cleopatra IV and Cleopatra Selene, and the latter Cleopatra Tryphaena and his brother’s widow, Cleopatra Selene.