Ptolemy XII has prosecuted his restitution from …
Years: 55BCE - 55BCE
Ptolemy XII has prosecuted his restitution from Rome but has met opposition with certain members of the Senate.
His old ally Pompey had housed the exiled king and his daughter and argued on behalf of Ptolemy's restoration in the Senate.
During this time, Roman creditors realize that they will not get the return on their loans to the Egyptian king without his restoration.
Pressure in 57 BCE from the Roman public had thus forced the Senate's decision to restore Ptolemy.
Rome does not wish to invade Egypt to restore the king, however, as the Sibylline books state that if an Egyptian king asks for help and Rome proceeds with military intervention, great dangers and difficulties will occur.
Egyptians have heard rumors of Rome's possible intervention and dislike the idea of their exiled king's return.
Cassius Dio reports that a group of one hundred men were sent as envoys from Egypt to make their case to the Romans against Ptolemy XII's restoration, but Ptolemy had their leader (a philosopher named Dion) poisoned and most of the other protesters killed before they reached Rome to plead their desires.
Ptolemy XII finally recovers his throne in 55 BCE by paying Aulus Gabinius ten thousand talents to invade Egypt.
Gabinius's army, sent by Pompey without the consent of the Senate, after defeating the frontier forces of the Egyptian kingdom, proceeds to attack the palace guards but the guards surrenders before a battle commences.
The exact date of Ptolemy XII's restoration is unknown; the earliest possible date of restoration is January 4, 55 BCE and the latest possible date is June 24 the same year.
Ptolemy, upon entering the palace, has his daughter Berenice and her supporters executed.
Around two thousand Roman soldiers and mercenaries, the so-called Gabiniani, are stationed in Alexandria to ensure Ptolemy XII's authority on the throne.
Rome in exchange is able to exert its power over the restored king.
His daughter Cleopatra VII becomes his coregent.
