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Caesarion




Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar, nicknamed '''Caesarion''' (little Caesar) (lived June 23 , 47 BC to August , 30 BC ; reigned September 2 , 44 BC to August , 30 BC ), the last Pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt , was the eldest son of Cleopatra VII Of Egypt ; and she claimed Julius Caesar as his father. If so, he was Caesar's only known son by blood; he adopted Octavian in his will.


LIFE

Ptolemy XV was named co-ruler by his mother on September 2 , 44 BC at the age of three. Although he was King in name only, with Cleopatra VII keeping actual authority to herself, she intended him to succeed his father. When Caesar's great-nephew and adoptive son Octavian invaded Egypt in 30 BC , Cleopatra VII sent Caesarion (Ptolemy XV) to the Red Sea port of Berenice for safety, but his guardians were lured back, or betrayed him, and the boy was captured and killed. Octavian also captured the city of Alexandria on August 1 , 30 BC , the date that marks the official annexation of Egypt to the Roman Republic . Cleopatra VII's consort Mark Antony had committed suicide prior to Octavian's entry into the capital; she followed his example by committing suicide on August 12 , 30 BC .

Fearing that "too many Caesars", as he reportedly said, would threaten his claim to being the sole successor to his (adoptive) father, Octavian decided that his (adoptive) father's "son" had to be put to death. Octavian then assumed control of Egypt. The year 30 BC was considered the first year of the new ruler's reign according to the traditional chronological system of Egypt. In lists of the time Octavian himself appears as a Pharaoh and the successor to Caesarion.


IN ANCIENT ART




IN MODERN CONSCIOUSNESS

Usually in tandem with his mother and or father


Literature



TV

  • Caesarion is also the name of an episode of the television show Rome , in which he appears as A New Born Baby and a fictionalized account of the events surrounding his conception and birth is depicted.(He will probably re-appear as a teenager in the second series.)