Arsinoe IV: The Other Queen of Egypt

Reconstructed image of what Arsinoe is believed to have looked like 

                                                                 

When it comes to the rulers of Egypt, most people tend to think of the most famous Queen of the Nile, Cleopatra. What many do not know, is that Cleopatra had a younger sister who over through her thrown and ruled Egypt as well. Cleopatra – the woman who seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and who, instead of surrendering, took her own life using snake venom. But what about her sister, Arsinoe? Who remembers her and her heroic actions?

Life of Arsinoe IV

Arsinoe IV the fourth out of the six children born to Ptolemy XII Auletes. When Ptolemy XII died in 51 B.C., he left his eldest living son and daughter, Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra as joint rulers of Egypt (1). As brother/sister, husband/wife, and rulers of Egypt, Cleopatra and Ptolemy brought Egypt into many victories in battle. It was not until Cleopatra because obsessed with the power Julius Caesar was gaining in Rome that the problems began. 

Arsinoe found this as an in to her way to the throne. As an 11 year old, Arsinoe approached her brother Ptolemy XIII and gave him some words of wisdom. While speaking to him, she convinced Ptolemy XIII that Cleopatra was working against his orders and still trying to combine forces with Caesar and Rome. This infuriates Ptolemy and causes him to banish Cleopatra from Alexandria, which in turn resulted in Cleopatra fighting back. While the two were disputing their claims, Arsinoe names herself the new Queen of Egypt. It was at this time that Julius Caesar came to Alexandria with the head of Pompey, a friend to to Ptolemy, causing Ptolemy and Cleopatra to abide by their fathers will and rule Egypt together, restoring Cyprus, and giving that to Arsinoe instead. With Ptolemy and Cleopatra away, the general Achillas took over Alexandria. 

 Arsinoe at War

Lighthouse of Alexandria before its deactivation in 1320 

In 48 B.C., at 12 years old, Arsinoe escaped from the capital with her mentor, Ganymedes, and took command of the Egyptian army, ordering Ganymedes to murder Achillas and placing him as second in command, directly under her (2). Under Arsinoe's leadership, the Egyptians enjoyed some success against the Romans. The Egyptians trapped Caesar in a section of the city by building walls to close off the streets. Caesar, realizing that he would need to break out of the city, launched an attack to seize control of the Lighthouse of Alexandria but Arsinoe's forces drove him back trapping him in the light house, causing him to have to face Arsinoe's army or jump from one of the seven wonders of the world, which he did. With Caesar still alive and other leaders being disappointed in Ganymedes and wanting peace, an exchange of Arsinoe for Ptolemy was negotiated (3). Arsinoe was captured and taken to Rome to be strangled to death, but many took pity on her and decided because she was the sibling of two ruling bodies, she would exiled to sanctuary in the temple of Artemis in Ephesus where she lived the remainder of her life as a priestess Still seeing her as a threat. 41 B.C. Cleopatra convinces Mark Antony to assassinate Arsinoe on the temple steps at 20 years old. 

Arsinoe was just as dangerous as Cleopatra or any man we read about in warrior culture. She was a tough threat to any that stand in her way because of her logic, strategy, and army forces. Although her fall came from the dirty play of her older sister who had her murdered on the steps of a temple, Arsinoe is still an amazing warrior in history that should be spoken about more often. Her bravery, strength, endurance, and intelligence kept up to par with even the most famous of warriors enough to overtake their land and thrones at 11 to 12 years old. While just a footnote in history, but a fascinating one at that, Arsinoes story of a young woman with her own agenda, who is able to make and break alliances for her own good, as well as over taking and ruling an army is one that needs to be told.

Works Cited:
(1) “Arsinoe IV of Egypt - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia.” Alchetron.com, 6 Jan. 2018, alchetron.com/Arsinoe-IV-of-Egypt.

(2) Bennett, Chris. “Arsinoe IV.” Arsinoe IV, web.archive.org/web/20170613113043/http://www.reocities.com/christopherjbennett/ptolemies/arsinoe_iv.htm#Arsinoe.

(3)  “CHAPTER XIII.” The House of Ptolemy a History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty, by Edwyn Robert Bevan, Ares Publishers, 1995, pp. 359–384.