Column of King Ptolemy IX

This inscribed column commemorates King Ptolemy IX, one of the more complex and turbulent rulers of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Dynasty. Known also as Soter II, Ptolemy IX reigned during a time of intense internal conflict and dynastic instability. He ruled Egypt during two non-consecutive periods, first alongside his mother Cleopatra III, and later, alone—after a forced exile and power struggle with his younger brother, Ptolemy X. This column shows the king making offerings to Horus, the falcon-headed god, while Cleopatra III is shown worshiping the god Khonsu. Such depictions reflect their divine legitimacy and the close link between rulership and religious devotion in Hellenistic Egypt. What makes the reign of Ptolemy IX particularly fascinating is his multiple titles, repeated exiles, and return to power. He was even forced to marry two of his sisters—both named Cleopatra—following Egyptian royal tradition. The inscriptions on this column reflect the confusion of the time, filled with overlapping names, vague titles, and sometimes intentionally ambiguous records. Scholars note the unusual presence of incomplete or fragmented texts, adding to the sense of political mystery that shrouded his rule. The column itself, made of sandstone, was found at the Temple of Sobek and Horus the Elder in Kom Ombo, a site dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. This temple was unique in its symmetrical design, where two sets of sanctuaries were constructed side by side—one for each deity.