Ptolemy IV King of egypt Country: Egypt

Biography of Ptolemy IV

Ptolemy IV was the king of Egypt from the Ptolemaic dynasty, ruling from 221 to 205 BCE. He was the son of Ptolemy III. Immediately after the death of his father, Ptolemy killed his mother and his brother Magas. He then indulged in various excesses, with his entire court imitating the king's behavior. Even the army neglected its military duties and engaged in idleness. Throughout his reign, Ptolemy lived a life of pleasure, scandalous love affairs, and excessive drinking. He was careless and indifferent towards the court and other officials of Egypt who dealt with foreign affairs. In contrast, his predecessors paid more attention to these matters and even threatened the rulers of Syria with their control over Coele-Syria and Cyprus. They closely monitored the affairs of Asia, as well as the islands, as they held important cities, regions, and harbors along the entire coast from Pamphylia to the Hellespont and the region of Lysimachia. They also observed the affairs of Thrace and Macedonia, as they controlled cities like Henna, Maroneia, and others even further away. Ptolemy's predecessors had extended their reach and safeguarded their power through these possessions, hence they had nothing to fear regarding their rule over Egypt. Consequently, they paid more attention to their external territories. As expected, there were soon people who conspired against the life and rule of the current king.
In 219 BCE, the king of Asia, Antiochus III, captured many cities in Coele-Syria from Ptolemy. Fearing the threat, Ptolemy sent one embassy after another to Antiochus to delay him and gather his own forces. He then recruited a large army in Greece and won a decisive victory at Raphia in 217 BCE. He could have seized Antiochus' kingdom after this, but his valor did not come to his aid. Satisfied with the return of the Coele-Syrian cities, Ptolemy made peace and eagerly returned to a life of peace. Drowning in pleasures and luxury, he killed his wife Eurydice, who was also his sister, and became infatuated with the charms of the courtesan Agathoclea. Completely forgetting the grandeur of his position and high status, he spent his nights in debauchery and his days in revelry. These entertainments were accompanied by sensual music, with the king not only being a spectator but also orchestrating these debaucheries himself and playing sweet melodies. At first, these were hidden sores and hidden afflictions within the decaying royal court. However, with time, debauchery grew and the audacity of Agathoclea could no longer be contained within the palace walls. The daily illicit relations between the king and her brother Agathocles, a dissolute and complaisant beauty, made her even bolder. Agathoclea and her mother Enanpha, who had taken control of the king and completely enchanted him with the charms of both children, were not satisfied with their power over the king alone. They seized control over the state, appearing in public places and being greeted and escorted by an entourage. Agathocles, who was constantly with the king, ruled the state, while both women distributed positions of power. There was no person in the entire kingdom who had less authority than the king himself. Finally, Ptolemy died, leaving behind a five-year-old son from his sister Eurydice. His death was kept hidden for a long time, while the women looted the royal treasury and conspired with criminals to seize power. When news of the king's death spread throughout Alexandria, Agathocles was killed by a mob that had gathered, and the women were crucified in retaliation for Eurydice (202 BCE).