Pharaoh: Ptolemy XIV and Cleopatra VII Allies: Rivals:
The Ptolemaic Kingdom in and around Egypt began following Alexander the Great's conquest in 332 BC and ended with the death of Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest in 30 BC. It was founded when Ptolemy I Soter declared himself Pharaoh of Egypt, creating a powerful Hellenistic state stretching from southern Syria to Cyrene and south to Nubia. Alexandria became the capital city and a center of Greek culture and trade. To gain recognition by the native Egyptian populace, they named themselves the successors to the Pharaohs. The later Ptolemies took on Egyptian traditions by marrying their siblings, had themselves portrayed on public monuments in Egyptian style and dress, and participated in Egyptian religious life. Hellenistic culture thrived in Egypt until the Muslim conquest. The Ptolemies had to fight native rebellions and were involved in foreign and civil wars that led to the decline of the kingdom and its annexation by the Roman Empire. It is a fabulously wealthy land.
Favored by the Greco-Egyptian Aristocracy and much of the nation, the young Ptolemy XIV enjoys a number of privileges. However, of late, he is still too young to rule, and relies primarily on the eunuch Pothinus, his regent, to help him maintain rule of his country. The Pro-Ptolemy party of Egypt is strongly disinclined to accept Cleopatra VII, Ptolemy's older sister and wife, as the legitimate ruler of Egypt.
Furthermore, while in the past an alliance with Rome was viewed as being mutually beneficial against Macedon and the Seleucids, the current Ptolemaic dynasty has now begun to view Rome as a rival, and thus is relatively unwilling to accept their direct dominance over Egyptian and Eastern Affairs. Opinion: Ambivalent
Desires:
Independence
Trade
Good Relations No Opinion:
Alliance
Opposes:
Annexation
Vassalization
In contrast to her younger brother and husband, Cleopatra is quite warm to Roman ambitions, though these are largely the result of a genuine rational self-interest rather than a desire to see Rome annex her Kingdom. Cleopatra is well aware that Ptolemy XIV's coming of age will render her privileges as superfluous. Moreover, considering that she is married to her brother, and that her only legal options for maintain a private and romantic life would be incestuous by nature, this further implies that her personal freedoms will be curtailed as well. Desperate for assistance, Cleopatra is likely to look for Roman benefactors, and even lovers.
Opinion: Warm
Desires:
Alliance
Trade
Good Relations No Opinion:
Independence
Vassalization
Opposes:
Annexation
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While generally irrelevant and immaterial to the inner workings of Royal intrigue, the Egyptian people were nevertheless still affected by the policies and decisions of the Pharoahs. By the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, popular support for the monarchy was beginning to deteriorate. Opinion: Neutral
Desires:
Independence
Trade
No Opinion:
Alliance
Good Relations
Opposes:
Annexation
Vassalization
Numidia
Relationship Status: Allies: Rivals: Mauretania
King: Jugurtha
Numidia (202 BC – 46 BC) was an ancient Berber kingdom in part of present-day Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa. The kingdom began as a sovereign state and later alternated between being a Roman province and being a Roman client state. Its King, Jugurtha is known to be an ambitious man and considers Romans a greedy and corrupt people. When he succeeded the throne as a young man, it was with Roman aid, but only because he had bribed Roman officials.
After the defeat of Carthage by the Roman Empire Mauretania became an ally of Rome. The Romans placed Juba II of Numidia as their client-king. When Juba died in 23 AD, his Roman-educated son Ptolemy of Mauretania succeeded him on the throne. Caligula killed Ptolemy in 40. Claudius annexed Mauretania directly as a Roman province in 44, under an imperial (not senatorial) governor.
Not depriving the Mauri of their line of kings would have contributed to preserving loyalty and order, it appears: "The Mauri, indeed, manifestly worship kings, and do not conceal their name by any disguise," Cyprian observed in 247, likely quoting a geographer rather than personal observation, in his brief euhemerist exercise in deflating the gods entitled On the Vanity of Idols.
Cretan/Cilician Pirates
Relationship Status: Hostile
King: Seleukos the Great Ravager
Last edited by Pontifex Maximus; October 15, 2011 at 09:01 AM.