Ptolemy VII Neos Philopater became king under his mother's regency when he was about 16 at the death of his father, Ptolemy VI. He had been appointed co-ruler by his father about a year earlier, although he came to the throne under the serious threat of his uncle, Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II Physcon who had "shared" the rule of Egypt with Ptolemy VII's father.

Physcon was determined to regain control of Egypt, and when he could not eliminate Cleopatra II he married her instead. Her son, Ptolemy VII was killed during the wedding party, leaving his uncle as king.

It is usually considered a mistake to assign this Ptolemy a number and insert him into he chronology, because he never actually held the rule himself. He was under the regency of his mother until his death. That is the reason that his name does not appear in a cartouche.

pharaohs

Ptolemy I Soter
Ptolemy II Philadelphus
Ptolemy III Euergeter
Ptolemy IV Philopater
Ptolemy V Epiphanes
Cleopatra I
Ptolemy Eupator
Ptolemy VI Philometor
Cleopatra II
Ptolemy VII Neos Philpator
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II
Cleopatra III & Ptolemy IX Soter II
Cleopatra III & Ptolemy X Alexander
Cleopatra Berenice
Ptolemy XI Alexander
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos
Berenice IV
Cleopatra VII
Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy XIII
Cleopatra VII & Ptolemy XIV
Ptolemy XV Cesarion