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The Ptolemaic Kingdom (/ ˌ t ɒ l ɪ ˈ m eɪ. ɪ k /; Koinē Greek: Πτολεμαϊκὴ βασιλεία, romanized: Ptolemaïkḕ basileía) [6] or Ptolemaic Empire [7] was an Ancient Greek polity based in Egypt during the Hellenistic period. [8]
The Ptolemaic dynasty (/ ˌ t ɒ l ɪ ˈ m eɪ. ɪ k / ; Ancient Greek : Πτολεμαῖοι , Ptolemaioi ), also known as the Lagid dynasty ( Λαγίδαι , Lagidai ; after Ptolemy I 's father, Lagus ), was a Macedonian Greek [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] royal house which ruled the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Ancient Egypt during the Hellenistic ...
- Origins
- Ptolemaic Kingship
- Court Culture
- Sibling Marriage
- Consolidation Under Ptolemy II & Ptolemy III
- Syrian Wars & Rebellion
- Civil Wars
- Roman Domination
- Resurgence & Fall Under Cleopatra VII
- Legacy
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The Ptolemaic dynasty was founded by Ptolemy I (336-282 BCE), son of Macedonian nobles Lagos and Arsinoe. Ptolemy was one of Alexander's somatophylakes, trusted bodyguards and generals. The dynasty later encouraged a myth that Ptolemy was really the illegitimate son of Philip II of Macedon(r. 359-336 BCE), making him Alexander the Great's half-brot...
The Ptolemies maintained power through a combination of violence and diplomacy. They formed close relationships with Egyptian elites, especially the priesthoods, to reinforce their political and religious legitimacy. They also settled Greek military colonies throughout the country to quiet rebellion. Each king was named Ptolemy, and queens were nam...
The Ptolemaic dynasty preserved Greek cultural habits instead of assimilating into Egyptian culture. The pages, courtiers, and tutors serving the royal family were typically Greeks. The dynasty only spoke Greek – except for Cleopatra VII – and so Egyptian aristocrats had to learn Greek to interact with their rulers. Monarchs were coronated in Memph...
The dynasty practiced incestuous marriage; monarchs married a sibling or other close relative to be their co-ruler. The exceptions were political unions, like when the Seleucid princess Cleopatra I (r. 195-176 BCE) married Ptolemy V (r. 205-180 BCE). Ancient Greek and Romansources claimed this was an Egyptian custom adopted by the Ptolemies. Modern...
The 3rd century BCE was a golden age for the Ptolemaic Empire, which spread into Nubia, Greece, Mesopotamia, and the Red Sea under Ptolemy II and Ptolemy III Euergetes ("Benefactor"). The province of Coele-Syria, which produced timber for shipbuilding and silverfor paying armies, was key to this military expansion. Ptolemy II's daughter Berenike Sy...
After Ptolemy III's death and the coronation of Ptolemy IV Philopator ("Father-Loving", r. c. 222-205 BCE), Antiochus III recaptured Seleucia-in-Pieria and invaded Egypt. His onslaught was stopped by Ptolemy IV at the decisive Battleof Raphia in 217 BCE. Ptolemy IV and his sister-wife Arsinoe III were later murdered in 205 BCE by a conspiracy invol...
After Cleopatra I's death in 176 BCE, the kingdom passed to the young siblings Ptolemy VI, his sister-wife Cleopatra II, and their younger brother Ptolemy VIII Euergetes. They attempted to invade Syria, resulting in a swift counterinvasion by Antiochus IV who captured Memphis and was crowned pharaoh in 168 BCE. He would have taken Alexandria and en...
Ptolemy VIII died in 116 BCE, leaving behind numerous heirs and a kingdom reliant on Roman support. His illegitimate son Ptolemy Apion became king of Cyrene, which was bequeathed to Rome upon Apion's death. Cleopatra II's son Ptolemy IX Soter II took Egypt and Cyprus, defeating Cleopatra III's son Ptolemy X Alexander, who made a will bequeathing hi...
Ptolemy XII was succeeded by Cleopatra VII Philopator and Ptolemy XIII. She is the most famous member of the dynasty, described in ancient accounts as charismatic, ruthless, and intelligent. According to Plutarch, she was the only member of the dynasty to learn the Egyptian language. Her ally and lover Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, helped her to...
The Ptolemaic dynasty was the longest-lasting successor to Alexander's empire. Ancient historians remembered them for their greed and brutality, but Egypt flourished under them. Royal sponsorship of Greek culture and immigration began a period of Hellenization that reshaped Egyptian society. Alexandria was the center of the Hellenistic world, foste...
Learn about the Macedonian royal family that ruled Egypt from 323 to 30 BCE. Discover their origins, achievements, challenges, and legacy in this comprehensive article.
- Arienne King
Aug 22, 2024 · Learn about the Macedonian dynasty that ruled Egypt from 305 to 30 BCE, founded by Ptolemy I Soter and ending with Cleopatra VII. Explore their wars, alliances, marriages, and achievements in Egypt and the Mediterranean world.
Aug 22, 2024 · Learn about the history and culture of ancient Egypt under the rule of Alexander the Great and his successors, the Ptolemaic dynasty. Explore the political, economic, and cultural changes that shaped the Hellenistic kingdom and its legacy.
Nov 27, 2021 · Learn about the Ptolemaic dynasty, founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals, who ruled Egypt for three centuries and blended Greek and Egyptian influences. Explore their history, administration, society, religion, and legacy.
Jul 11, 2024 · Learn about the Ptolemaic dynasty that ruled Egypt from 323 to 30 BCE, after Alexander the Great's death. Discover how the Ptolemies combined Egyptian and Greek cultures, founded Alexandria, and faced Roman challenges.
