A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

5. A daughter of Ptolemy VI. Philometor by the last-mentioned Cleopatra, married first Alexander Balas (B. C. 150), the Syrian usurper (1 Macc. 10.57; comp. J. AJ 13.4. §§ 1, 5), and on his death Demetrius Nicator. (1 Macc. 11.12; J. AJ 13.4.7.) During the captivity of the latter in Parthia, jealous of the connexion which he there formed with Rhodogune, the Parthian princess, she married Antiochus VII. Sidetes, his brother, and also murdered Demetrius on his return (Appian, App. Syr. 68; Liv. Ep. 60), though Justin and Josephus (J. AJ 13.9.3) represent her as only refusing to receive him. She also murdered Seleucus, her son by Nicator, who on his father's death assumed the government without her consent. (Appian, App. Syr. 69; Just. 39.1.) Her other son by Nicator, Antiochus VIII. Grypus, succeeded to the throne (B. C. 125) through her influence; but when she found him unwilling to concede her sufficient power, she attempted to make away with him by offering him a cup of poison on his return from exercise. Having learnt her intention, he begged her to drink first, and on her refusal produced his witness, and then repeated his request as the only way to clear herself. On this she drank and died. (Justin, 39.2.) She had another son, by Sidetes, Antiochus IX., surnamed Cyzicenus from the place of his education. The following coin represents on the obverse the heads of Cleopatra and her son Antiochus VIII. Grypus.