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Ptolemy of Mauretania (reigned AD 21 - AD 40), also known as Ptolemy of Morocco was the last Mauretanian King. He was of Berber, Greek and Roman heritage.
Ptolemy was the only son of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II. Juba II was the son of King Juba_I, a Berber king of Numidia who fought on Pompey's side against Caesar in the Civil War.
Cleopatra Selene II was the only daughter to Queen Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. Cleopatra VII was the last Greek-Macedonian Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt and, through her, Ptolemy of Mauretania was a descendant of the Seleucids and was also of Persian blood.
Through Mark Antony, he was a descendant of the Antonian family; a distant relative of Julius Caesar and of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. Ptolemy was first cousin to the Roman Emperor Claudius; second cousin to Emperors Caligula and Nero.
Along with his sister (Drusilla of Mauretania) they had a Roman education and were Romanise. In AD 19, his aging father made him co-ruler and AD 23 his father died.
In AD 24, Ptolemy, with the assistance of the Roman Governor of Africa, ended a long war with the local tribes (Numidian Tacfarinas and Garamantes) that ravaged Africa and revolted against Rome.
Although the Romans won, both sides lost much infantry and cavalry. By the senate, in his recognition of his loyal conduct Ptolemy was awarded an ivory sceptre, an embroidered triumphal robe and they greeted him as king, ally and friend. This recognition was an ancient tradition which was revived.
Ptolemy married Julia Urania. Urania was a Syrian woman, who probably was a member of the royal family at Emesa. Their only known child, a daughter called Drusilla was born between AD 37-39.
In AD 40, Caligula invited Ptolemy to Rome. He welcomed him with appropriate honors. As he entered an amphitheatre during a gladiatorial show, he wore a purple cloak that attracted admiration. Out of Caligula's jealousy, he ordered his execution. Caligula once mistreated Ptolemy sending him a message reading: ‘Do nothing at all, either good or bad, to the bearer'.
With his death, he was last of the Ptolemies; the last Ptolemaic Monarch to rule with the name Ptolemy and last king of Numidian descent.