Caesarion
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Image:Cleopatra & caesarion.JPG Template:Ptolemy
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.
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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
- Famous head raised from Alexandria harbour by Franck Goddio in 1997, thought to be Caesarion [1].
- Portrayed in relief as an adult pharoah with his mother on her Temple of Hathor (ie Isis) at Dendera, above
In modern consciousness
Usually in tandem with his mother and or father
Literature
- Caesarion is the subject of a poem written in 1918 by Konstantinos Petrou Kavafis (English translation).
- He is also the subject of a novel by Gillian Bradshaw called Cleopatra's Heir.
- Caesarion appeared as a baby in the graphic novel Asterix and Son.
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 birth is depicted. (He will probably re-appear as a teenager in the second series.)
| Preceded by: Ptolemy XIV and Cleopatra VII | Ptolemaic King of Egypt with Cleopatra VII | Succeeded by: — |
da:Cæsarion de:Ptolemaios XV. et:Caesarion es:Cesarión fr:Ptolémée XV it:Tolomeo XV nl:Ptolemaeus XV no:Cæsarion pl:Cezarion pt:Ptolomeu XV do Egipto ru:Птолемей XV Цезарион fi:Ptolemaios XV sv:Caesarion