Caesarion

Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar
(More commonly known as Caesarion)

Caesarion was the son of Gaius Julius Caesar and Cleopatra VII.

After the death of Caesar, Caesarion ruled Egypt jointly with his mother.

When Caesar’s Roman heir, Octavian, invaded Egypt in 30 BC, Caesarion was put to death. Octavian saw Caesarion as a threat to him and so before murdering him, Octavian told Caesarion that “two Caesars is one too many!”

This picture is of Caesarion as he would have appeared in the year of his death. He is stood on a balcony in the palace at Alexandria. In the background is the Lighthouse of Pharos (which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World).

In all of the films and TV productions that have been made about Cleopatra, Caesarion is always portrayed as a child – usually about 12 or younger. However, in reality, Caesarion was 17 when he was murdered.