Ptolemy

Ptolemy, name used by all 15 Egyptian kings of the Macedonian dynasty (323 B.C.–30 B.C.). Ptolemy I Soter (367 B.C.–283 B.C.) was one of Alexander the Great's generals. He secured Egypt for himself after Alexander's death and defended it in a series of wars against Alexander's other generals. He founded the library of Alexandria, which became a center of Hellenistic culture. Ptolemy II Philadelphia (308 B.C.–246 B.C.) succeeded in 285. Under him Alexandria reached its height; he completed the Pharos lighthouse and appointed Callimachus librarian. Ptolemy III Euergetes (c.280–221 B.C.) Succeeded in 246. He extended the empire to include most of Asia Minor, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Aegean islands. After 221 the Ptolemaic empire entered a long period of decline, gradually losing its overseas possessions. Ptolemy XV Cesarion (“son of Caesar”; 47–30 B.C.) ruled from 44 B.C. jointly with his mother, Cleopatra VII. On their defeat at the battle of Actium (31 B.C.), Egypt became a Roman province.

See also: Egypt, Ancient.