The Ptolemies in Egypt

1. The Ptolemies were not Egyptian. The family was Greek from Macedonia, descended from one of Alexander’s generals, Ptolemy, who had taken over Egypt on Alexander’s death in 323 BC. He had chosen perhaps the wealthiest and most secure of the areas which Alexander’s generals acquired. It had a well-established agricultural system and organization, minerals and semi-precious stones in the mountainous areas, a people used to being ruled by a god-king, and natural defences on at least three sides and the fortress at Pelousionto guard the fourth. ThePtolemiesin Egypt Map of ancient Egypt

2. Ptolemy I reigned until 282 BC and died aged 85. He established Egypt as a major power in the Mediterranean with control of Cyprus and parts of the eastern coastline. Perhaps his most famous legacy is the Library of Alexandria. He had the next two Ptolemiesmaximize the economic potential of Egypt and systemise the farming of the land. One reason why they were accepted by the Egyptians was that they participated in the religious aspects of kingship and continued the god-Pharaoh style of ruling, to the extent that inter-marriagewithin the family was accepted. Ptolemy’s son, Philadelphus, married his sister, Arsinoe, and were represented in art as the gods Osiris and Isis. However, later Ptolemies became corruptand brutal. Ptolemy IV killed his father; Ptolemy VIII killed his nephew to become king, married his niece, who killed his first wife, and was herself killed by the first wife’s son. Ptolemy X killed his mother to become ruler. Ptolemy XI was supported by Sulla, the Roman general who was fighting a war in the Middle East during the 80s BC. He had married his step-mother, Berenice, only to have her killed. The Egyptians reacted violently to this and having a ruler set up by Romans. They dragged him from the palace and killed him. However, he left his kingdom to the Roman People in his will, making Ptolemy XII Auletes depend upon the Romans for his survival. While Rome was not concerned to add Egypt to their Empire and Egyptians did not like the idea of joining the Roman Empire, they still asked the Romans to arbitrate between rival claims to the throne. This meant Egypt’s rulers sought the support of a strong and powerful politician in Rome. They would become the client of an important patron who would, in theory and usually for money, look after their interests.