Silver Tetradrachm - Ptolemaic Egypt, c. 80-58 BC.
Ruler: Ptolemy XII (Father of Cleopatra)
Obv: Diademed bust of Ptolemy, right.
Rev: Eagle on thunderbolt.
Mint: Paphos (Cyprus) Scarce! (cF Sear-G7945)
Before Ptolemy XII's reign, the geographical distance between Rome and Egypt resulted in an indifferent attitude towards each other. Nevertheless, Egyptians asked the Romans to settle dynastic conflicts During his reign, Ptolemy XII attempted to secure his own fate and the fate of his dynasty by means of a pro-Roman policy.
In 63 BC, it appeared that Pompey would emerge as the leader of a Roman struggle, thus Ptolemy sought to form a patron-client relationship with the Roman by sending him riches and extending an invitation to Alexandria. Pompey accepted the riches but refused the invitation. Nevertheless, a patron relationship with a leader in Rome did not guarantee his permanence on the throne, thus Ptolemy XII soon afterwards travelled to Rome to negotiate a bribe for an official recognition of his kingship
