The Siege of Alexandria and the Battle of the Nile Ava Whitesel

Alexandria, a port city located on the Mediterranean Sea, was founded by Alexander the

Great around 332 BCE. Alexander recognized vast potential in Alexandria, and moved to make it

a capital city. This city also contained the great lighthouse, which is considered one of the seven

wonders of the world. A source briefly describes the growth of Alexandria, “The city grew from

a small port town to become the grandest and most important metropolis in ancient Egypt” (1).

Alexandria became so popular that it began to lure some of the most intelligent and powerful

people in history. Some of these people included scholars, scientists, and philosophers like

Archimedes, Euclid, and Eratosthenes (1). Alexander the Great found this city to be

“magnificent”, and made it his goal to turn it into something even more astounding.

Born in 70 or 69 B.C., Cleopatra was a daughter of Ptolemy XII (Auletes) and Cleopatra

V (3). “Cleopatra's family ruled Egypt for more than 100 years before she was born” (2).

Cleopatra inherited the Egyptian throne at the age of 18, and was co-regent with her ten-year-old

brother Ptolemy XIII. It is believed that Cleopatra was extremely beautiful, she is sometimes

known as the “New Isis”. Isis is a Roman goddess known for her beauty. In these early years,

Egypt struggled economically. It experienced floods and famine. Ptolemy had three advisors,

Pothinus, Achillas, and Theodotus, “The courtiers, led by Pothinus, wanted a Ptolemy on the

throne that they could more easily control” (5). Therefore, Ptolemy’s advisors forced her from

Egypt to Syria. While she was in Syria she built up an army ready to win back her position as

rightful heir to Egypt’s throne.

The Great Library began to undergo construction under the reign of Ptolemy I. The

library was finished under the ruler Ptolemy II. The library was massive, “There was room for up

to 70,000 papyrus scrolls” (1). There was an array of Punic Wars which caused Alexandria to fall
under Roman rule. As a negative atmosphere rose between the two Roman rulers of the time,

Julius Caesar and Pompey, the Battle of Pharsalus came about. During this civil war, Caesar

defeated Pompey, who then fled to Alexandria. Ptolemy III’s advisors, in a single fishing boat,

met Pompey on his way in on a skiff. Pompey’s wife and son boarded the fishing boat first. Then

Septimius, who spoke Roman as an Imperator, went aboard the skiff. He recited a verse from

Sophocles, “Whatever man upon a tyrant takes his way, His slave he is, even though a freeman

when he goes” (5). He then ran his sword through Pompey, dying a day after his birthday.

The death of Pompey infuriated Caesar. Although they had become rivals, he was

Caesar’s son-in-law. He adjourned to Alexandria, “He then declared martial law, took over the

royal palace, and sent for the exiled co-regent Cleopatra VII” (1). Caesar called upon all of his

fleet, coming from Rhodes, Syria, Cilicia, and Crete. Alexandrian citizens armed their slaves to

join in the battle. The Ptolemaic army was lead by Achillas. Shortly after Caesar fought the

Ptolemaic army in Alexandria, they collided again at the Banks of the Nile in 47 B.C.

The war between Cleopatra’s troops and Ptolemy’s troops began in 47 B.C. The war went

on for four months before Roma forces intervened to aid Cleopatra’s troops. The battle lasted

until 48 B.C., and was known as both The Siege of Alexandria. The Battle of the Nile was soon

to follow. “Ptolemy’s troops were trying to isolate the Romans, and were gaining the upper

hand” (5). Caesar’s ally, Mithridated of Pergamon, travels to Egypt to help him. “When Caesar

heard that reinforcements were nearby he marched away from Alexandria in the hope of uniting

his forces” (4). After meeting they marched up the banks of the Nile River where they intervene

with Ptolemy’s troops. Ptolemy’s fort is in a smart strategically position, on a hilltop with the

Nile to the east. The Egyptians were lined up opposing the Romans on the hill. The Roman

forces dispersed up the hillside ready to attack.

 After a costly battle on the hillside of the Nile, the Romans came out on top. It caused an

immense amount of damage to the city, including the burning of the library. Ptolemy was forced

to flee Alexandria, “According to some accounts he drowned when his ship capsized on the

Nile” (4). Now that the Battle was over Caesar restored Cleopatra to the throne of Egypt. This is

unlike the original plan made with Pompey long ago about making Egypt part of the Roman

Empire. It is believed that he granted Egypt back to her because of her beauty, for they soon

became lovers. Cleopatra’s younger brother Ptolemy XIV became her co-ruler. “Upon taking up

residence in the city, Caesar demanded a repayment of monies owned to the Roman state (dating

from the reign of Ptolemy XII) in the amount of 10 million drachmas” (5).

Cleopatra gave birth to a son not long after. It was believed that Caesar was the father,

however this has never been proven. She named him Caesarion, which means “little Caesar”. It

was also believed that they had an Egyptian marriage. This could not be verified because Rome

would not allow it, for he was already married. Caesarion wanted to be claimed as heir the the

Roman throne as it was the most powerful empire at the time. However, it was handed down to

Caesar’s great nephew Octavianus, who adopted the name Caesar Augustus. “Cleopatra

eventually followed Caesar back to Rome, but returned to Egypt in 44 B.C., following his

assassination” (2). She then found a new lover Mark Antony, they had a few children together

and ruled Egypt for a while. Antony committed suicide by stabbing himself, because he was

informed that Cleopatra had died. Cleopatra was more than just a pretty face, “Well-educated

and clever, Cleopatra could speak various languages and served as the dominant ruler in all three

of her co-regencies” (3). On August 12, 30 B.C., Cleopatra ended her life by being bitten by an

Egyptian cobra, not long after Mark Antony.

 Works Cited

1. www.ancient.eu/alexandria/

2. www.biography.com/people/cleopatra-vii-9250984

3. www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?480346-The-Siege-of-Alexandria-and-the-

Battle-of-the-Nile-48-47-BCE