170: Outbreak of the Sixth Syrian War. In Egypt, queen Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII are made co-rulers.
169: The Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes invades Egypt and demands that Ptolemy VI receives other advisers (Comanus and Cineas). In Alexandria, people demand that Cleopatra II and Ptolemy VIII become king.
169/168: Reconciliation between the Ptolemaic rulers.
168: Second invasion of Egypt. Antiochus besieges Alexandria, but a Roman embassy, led by Gaius Popilius Laenas orders the Seleucid king to return.
164, October: Ptolemy VI has to flee from Egypt, where Ptolemy VIII becomes more powerful; Ptolemy VI seeks Roman support.
163, July: Ptolemy VI returns and declares amnesty for rebels. Ptolemy VIII is made ruler of Cyrenaica. There is some resistance.
162: Rome sends a leader for the rebels (Ptolemy Sympetesis), but Ptolemy VIII is able to overcome the insurrection after a fight at Catabathmus.note[Polybius, World History 31.18.9.]
156/155: An attempt to kill Ptolemy VIII is foiled
Ptolemy VIII makes his will, and makes Rome inheritor of his realm.
154: A second, military attempt of Ptolemy VIII to become master of Cyprus also fails. Ptolemy VI tries to appease his brother by offering him an engagement to his daughter Cleopatra Thea. The marriage is not consumed.Cleopatra III
Ptolemy VIII launches a great building program in the Cyrenaica (hence the surname Euergetes, "Benefactor")
145, July: Ptolemy intervenes in the Seleucid Empire, but is killed in action. Ptolemy VIII is asked to return by the populace.
Before 8 August 145: Ptolemy VIII becomes master of Egypt; he marries his sister Cleopatra. Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator, son of Ptolemy VI, is killed, together with other potential rivals.
144: Amnesty for all former enemies.
141/140: Marries Cleopatra III, the daughter of his brother Ptolemy VI and Cleopatra II.
132, November: Civil war between Ptolemy VIII and his sister Cleopatra II; revolt of Harsiesis in Thebes
131, autumn: Cleopatra II controls Alexandria.
131/130: Ptolemy is on Cyprus.
130, spring: Ptolemy returns to Egypt; end of the revolt of Harsiesis
128: Cleopatra II, supported by Seleucid troops (Demetrius II Nicator), attempts to recover her position, but the Seleucid expedition meets with failure near Pelusium. Ptolemy VIII supports Alexander II Zabinas, a rebel in the Seleucid Empire
127/126: Ptolemy VIII punishes the Alexandrines
124: Ptolemy VIII supports Alexander II Zabinas, a rebel in the Seleucid Empire; at the same time, Cleopatra II appears to have returned.
28 June 116: Death. He is succeeded by Cleopatra III and Ptolemy IX Soter; his son Ptolemy Apion is appointed as ruler of the Cyrenaica, but was unable to establish himself until 108.
