Pothinus: Difference between revisions
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'''Pothinus''' (c. 90s BCE – 47 BCE), alternatively '''Potheinos''', also known as the '''Scorpion''', was | '''Pothinus''' (c. 90s BCE – 47 BCE), alternatively '''Potheinos''', also known as the '''Scorpion''', was a [[eunuch]] and regent for Pharaoh [[Ptolemy XIII]] of the 1st century BCE. A member of the [[Order of the Ancients]], he and order was responsible for the exile of Ptolemy's older sister and co-ruler, [[Cleopatra]]. | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Manipulating the pharaoh=== | ===Manipulating the pharaoh=== | ||
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After Auletes' death in 51 BCE, Auletes' children [[Ptolemy XIII]] and Cleopatra succeeded him as co-rulers of Egypt. Around this time, Pothinus promoted Septimius to their inner circle<ref name="Prima Guide" /> and later recruited him into the Order of the Ancients, often operating alongside him.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> Given Ptolemy's young age, Pothinus Order deemed him easy to manipulate unlike his older sister, who sidelined him. As such, Pothinus and the Order sought to have her eliminated, manipulating Ptolemy to exile his sister in 49 BCE, a plan which succeeded.<ref name="Prima Guide" /> | After Auletes' death in 51 BCE, Auletes' children [[Ptolemy XIII]] and Cleopatra succeeded him as co-rulers of Egypt. Around this time, Pothinus promoted Septimius to their inner circle<ref name="Prima Guide" /> and later recruited him into the Order of the Ancients, often operating alongside him.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> Given Ptolemy's young age, Pothinus Order deemed him easy to manipulate unlike his older sister, who sidelined him. As such, Pothinus and the Order sought to have her eliminated, manipulating Ptolemy to exile his sister in 49 BCE, a plan which succeeded.<ref name="Prima Guide" /> | ||
Pothinus was among those who wanted to know how to open the Vault in [[Siwa]] with the [[Apple of Eden 2|the Orb]]. Unlike [[Flavius Metellus|Flavius]], who was impatient and wanted to get it over with, Pothinus tried to be the voice of reason. The mission ended in failure and resulted in the death of [[Bayek]] and [[Aya]] | Pothinus was among those who wanted to know how to open the Vault in [[Siwa]] with the [[Apple of Eden 2|the Orb]]. Unlike [[Flavius Metellus|Flavius]], who was impatient and wanted to get it over with, Pothinus tried to be the voice of reason. The mission ended in failure and resulted in the death of [[Bayek]] and [[Amunet|Aya's]] son, [[Khemu]]. Pothinus knew the Order went too far and he came to regret what had happened that night.<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> | ||
===Defeat and death=== | ===Defeat and death=== | ||
In 48 BCE, after learning of the [[Rome|Roman]] general [[Pompey]]'s arrival in the [[Herakleion Nome]], Pothinus sent Septimius to have him assassinated before he could secure an alliance with Ptolemy's sister | In 48 BCE, after learning of the [[Rome|Roman]] [[Roman army|general]] [[Pompey]]'s arrival in the [[Herakleion Nome]], Pothinus sent Septimius to have him assassinated before he could secure an alliance with Ptolemy's sister Cleopatra.<ref name="Prima Guide" /> Septimius' former affiliation with Pompey in 67 BCE made it easy for him to get close. With Pompey dead, Septimius brought back his decapicitated head to Pothinus and Ptolemy in Alexandria.<ref name="ACO" /> | ||
Despite Pothinus and Septimius' efforts, Cleopatra was ultimately able to secure an alliance with [[Julius Caesar]], Pompey's father-in-law.<ref name="ACO" /> With their plans foiled, they resorted to [[Siege of Alexandria|trapping]] Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria in 47 BCE. However, they were both able to break through with the help of Cleopatra's agent | Despite Pothinus and Septimius' efforts, Cleopatra was ultimately able to secure an alliance with [[Julius Caesar]], Pompey's father-in-law.<ref name="ACO" /> With their plans foiled, they resorted to [[Siege of Alexandria|trapping]] Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria in 47 BCE. However, they were both able to break through with the help of Cleopatra's agent Aya and Bayek.<ref name="Blade">''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[Aya: Blade of the Goddess]]</ref> | ||
During the [[Battle of the Nile]] in 47 BCE, Pothinus participated in Ptolemy's last ditch attempt to defeat Caesar and Cleopatra. However, he was killed by Bayek alongside his war elephant, [[Yugr Tn]]. Before dying, Pothinus expressed his regrets for the Order's actions in Siwa which led Bayek on his path of vengeance.<ref name="The Battle of the Nile">'' | During the [[Battle of the Nile|Battle]] of the [[Nile]] in 47 BCE, Pothinus participated in Ptolemy's last ditch attempt to defeat Caesar and Cleopatra. However, he was killed by Bayek alongside his war [[elephant]], [[Yugr Tn]]. Before dying, Pothinus expressed his regrets for the Order's actions in Siwa which led Bayek on his path of vengeance.<ref name="The Battle of the Nile">''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[The Battle of the Nile]]</ref> | ||
==Personality and characteristics== | ==Personality and characteristics== | ||
Revision as of 04:57, 10 April 2021
Pothinus (c. 90s BCE – 47 BCE), alternatively Potheinos, also known as the Scorpion, was a eunuch and regent for Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII of the 1st century BCE. A member of the Order of the Ancients, he and order was responsible for the exile of Ptolemy's older sister and co-ruler, Cleopatra.
Biography
Manipulating the pharaoh
During the reign of Ptolemy XII Auletes, Pothinus served as one of his advisors alongside Achillas, Ganymedes and Theodotus of Chios. In the late 50s BCE, Pothinus met Lucius Septimius, one of the Gabiniani stationed in Egypt to protect Auletes. Septimius had felt in love with a local woman and settled down in Alexandria. Pothinus and the advisors befriended the Gabiniani, a move which allowed Septimius to slowly climb and solidfy his position in the upper echelons of the Egyptian society.[1]
After Auletes' death in 51 BCE, Auletes' children Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra succeeded him as co-rulers of Egypt. Around this time, Pothinus promoted Septimius to their inner circle[1] and later recruited him into the Order of the Ancients, often operating alongside him.[2] Given Ptolemy's young age, Pothinus Order deemed him easy to manipulate unlike his older sister, who sidelined him. As such, Pothinus and the Order sought to have her eliminated, manipulating Ptolemy to exile his sister in 49 BCE, a plan which succeeded.[1]
Pothinus was among those who wanted to know how to open the Vault in Siwa with the the Orb. Unlike Flavius, who was impatient and wanted to get it over with, Pothinus tried to be the voice of reason. The mission ended in failure and resulted in the death of Bayek and Aya's son, Khemu. Pothinus knew the Order went too far and he came to regret what had happened that night.[2]
Defeat and death
In 48 BCE, after learning of the Roman general Pompey's arrival in the Herakleion Nome, Pothinus sent Septimius to have him assassinated before he could secure an alliance with Ptolemy's sister Cleopatra.[1] Septimius' former affiliation with Pompey in 67 BCE made it easy for him to get close. With Pompey dead, Septimius brought back his decapicitated head to Pothinus and Ptolemy in Alexandria.[2]
Despite Pothinus and Septimius' efforts, Cleopatra was ultimately able to secure an alliance with Julius Caesar, Pompey's father-in-law.[2] With their plans foiled, they resorted to trapping Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria in 47 BCE. However, they were both able to break through with the help of Cleopatra's agent Aya and Bayek.[3]
During the Battle of the Nile in 47 BCE, Pothinus participated in Ptolemy's last ditch attempt to defeat Caesar and Cleopatra. However, he was killed by Bayek alongside his war elephant, Yugr Tn. Before dying, Pothinus expressed his regrets for the Order's actions in Siwa which led Bayek on his path of vengeance.[4]
Personality and characteristics
Despite being a member of the Order of the Ancients, Pothinus was not sadistic nor hungry for power, even acknowledging to Bayek that the Order went too far in Siwa. Pothinus had a genuine desire for Egypt to be peaceful and prosperous but the way he chose to do that left much to be desired.
Pothinus carried a replica of the caduceus around his neck, and placed a coin in his own mouth, reflecting his Greek beliefs.[2]
Gallery
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Concept Art of Pothinus -
Pothinus' Order symbol -
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Pothinus and Bayek
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Pothinus facing his fate
Behind the scenes
Pothinus is an antagonist in Assassin's Creed: Origins in which he is depicted as being killed in battle at the end of the Alexandrine Civil War. Historically, however, he was executed by Caesar prior to the beginning of the Siege of Alexandria after attempting to have the Roman consul assassinated.
Appearances
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Assassin's Creed Origins: Official Game Guide
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Assassin's Creed: Origins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Aya: Blade of the Goddess
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Battle of the Nile