Caesarion

Caesarion was born in Egypt in 47 BC. He was the eldest son of Cleopatra then 21, and was the only known son of Julius Caesar, 52. Caesarion was conceived during Julius Caesar's stay in Egypt between September 48 BC and January 47 BC. Ptolemy XV Caesar 'Caesarion' (Little Caesar), was the last pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, reigning with his mother Cleopatra VII from 44 BC to 30 BC. He nominally reigned as sole pharaoh for a few days after his mother's death.

Julius Caesar denarius (44 BC)

An Egyptian demotic stele recovered from the Serapeum in Memphis, records his birth on 23 June 47 BC. Caesar never officially or legally recognized Caesarion as his legitimate heir under Roman law.

Julius Caesar was assassinated on 15 March 44 BC. When his will was read, Caesarion was completely omitted. Caesar posthumously adopted his grandnephew, Octavian, naming him primary heir. Cleopatra fled Rome with 3-year-old Caesarion a month after the murder, returning to Alexandria. Cleopatra had her husband/brother Ptolemy XIV murdered and replaced him with Caesarion, whom she married and made co-regent. Cleopatra continued her path of power and intrigue, becoming ally and lover of Marc Antony, earning her the enmity of Octavian. This would prove to be the death of both the Egyptian Queen and Caesarion. The earliest depictions of Caesarion are found on Cypriot coinage minted in 44 BC, which portray him as an infant held in his mother's arms.

Chicago Coin of Antony and Cleopatra. Date 37-33 BCE.

After Octavian's victory over the pair at Actium in 31 B.C., Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide. Disappointed he didn't have Cleopatra for his triump, Octavian had Caesarion, then 17, murdered around 29 August 30 BC. (the beginning of the Egyptian new year). According to Plutarch, Octavian followed the advice of Arius Didymus, who said "Too many Caesars is not good". He returned to Rome with Ptolemy Philadelphus and twins Cleopatra Selene II and Alexander Helios who were the children of Antony and Cleopatra.

History reveals little of the fates of Ptolemy Philadelphus and Alexander Helios. They are thought to have died young. Cleopatra Selene II became a queen in her own right.