Before Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the pharaoh was her father, Ptolemy XII Auletes. He ruled from around 80 BC until his death in 51 BC.
Ptolemy XII, often referred to as ‘Auletes’ which means ‘the flautist’, was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty that descended from one of Alexander the Great’s generals, Ptolemy I Soter. His reign was marked by political turmoil, including issues with Rome and internal dissent, which often led to significant challenges in maintaining his power.
When he died, Cleopatra ascended to the throne alongside her younger brother Ptolemy XIII, marking a significant shift in Egyptian history as Cleopatra sought to establish her own rule and navigate the complex political landscape of the time, which was heavily influenced by the Roman Empire.