caesar's term as consul had expired at the end of 48 bc. however, his officer mark antony, recently returned to rome from the battle at pharsalus, helped to secure caesar's election as dictator. this lasted for a year, until october 47 bc, providing caesar with the legal authority to settle the dynastic dispute in egypt. wary of repeating the mistake of berenice iv in having a sole-ruling female monarch, caesar appointed 12-year-old ptolemy xiv as 22-year-old cleopatra vii's joint ruler in a nominal sibling marriage, but cleopatra continued living privately with caesar. the exact date at which cyprus was returned to her control is not known, although she had a governor there by 42 bc.