Ptolemy XII: Advocator for Education
Father of six, King Ptolemy XII was similar to his ancestor Ptolemy I; they were both advocates for education. Ptolemy XII made sure all six of his children were taught by capable tutors. Thanks to her father's push for education, Cleopatra VII learned six languages: Greek, Egyptian, Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, and Ethiopic, and was noted to be exceptionally intelligent, which aided immensely in attracting allies.
Choosing an Heir
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When it came time to choose an heir, all the children of Ptolemy XII were extremely competent, resulting in a tense competition for the throne. While his children devised plots to win the throne in Alexandria, King Ptolemy XII visited Rome to make a deal with the devil; he was worried his heir and dynasty would fall against the great Roman Republic. He arranged for Julius Caesar and Pompey, two powerful Roman leaders, to recognize him as legitimate leader of Egypt and ally of the Roman Republic in exchange for a large sum of money to be paid by Ptolemy XII. Declaring the dynasty friends of Rome would negate any possibility of invasion (or so he hoped.)
Battle for the Throne
While Ptolemy XII bargained with Caesar and Pompey, his power in Egypt collapsed. His children's rivalry for the throne had reached the boiling point of sorts, and they began arranging each other's murders; a few of the plots succeeded. Ptolemy XII briefly regained control of his empire but died shortly after. In his will, he determined Cleopatra VII to share the throne with her brother Ptolemy XIII.