Ptolemy VIII Physcon (ca. 182–116 bc). Younger son of Ptolemy V and Cleopatra I; successor of his nephew, Ptolemy VII (145 bc).

Known formally as Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, Ptolemy VIII earned the popular title “Physcon” (“potbelly”) because of his physical appearance. He was coregent over Egypt with his older brother Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VI’s sister-wife, Cleopatra II, when their father, Ptolemy V died (170–164 bc). In 164 bc Ptolemy VIII expelled his brother from Egypt and reigned alone for a short time before being expelled himself by an Egyptian mob. His brother was reinstated as king by Rome in 163 bc. When Ptolemy VI died in 145 bc, Physcon returned to marry his widow, Cleopatra II, and to kill his nephew (Ptolemy VII) who was heir to the throne. (The evidence for these events is limited, and some scholars question their validity.)

When he later married his niece Cleopatra III (his wife’s daughter) without divorcing his wife, a rift developed between them that eventually divided the nation. Civil war in 132–131 bc led to exile for both of them in turn. In 130 bc he fled Egypt with his niece-wife, Cleopatra III. He returned in 127 bc, and Cleopatra II fled Egypt. In 124 bc the quarrelsome couple affected a truce, and Ptolemy VIII lived out the remainder of his reign with Cleopatra II as dowager queen of Egypt. Upon his death, rule of Egypt transferred to his niece-wife, Cleopatra III, and whichever of their two sons (Ptolemy IX Soter II and Ptolemy X Alexander) she chose.