HISTORY OF PTOLEMAIC EGYPT 1st

lecture
Invasion of Alexander the Great
Introduction
-.Relations with the Greeks before Alexander’s invasion
.The Persians occupying Egypt-

A-Alexander the Great

.(Greek cities (city-states-
-:Philip II’s aims
Unite the Greek cities-1
Destroy the Persians-2
-.Alexander III (Alexander the Great) succeeding his father
-.Alexander pursued his father’s dreams
.Captured the Persian points in Asia Minor, Syria and Phoenicia-

B-Alexander Invading Egypt

.Darius III fled to Babylon-
He captured Tyre (8 months siege) and Gaza in 332 B.C. and marched-
.towards Egypt
-.He reached Pelusion on the eastern borders and marched to Memphis
Mazakes the Persian ruler handed Egypt over to Alexander part-
of Alexander’s kingdom
.The Egyptians regarded Alexander as a savior-
.Alexander’s coronation and respect to Egyptian gods-

History of Ptolemaic Egypt 2nd

lecture
Invasion of Alexander the Great
C-Alexander's Visit of the Temple of Amun (Zeus-Amun) at
Siwa Oasis
To inspire oracle of Zues-Amun in 331 B.C. This god had a great fame-
in ancient world and had a cult in Macedonia (birthplace of Alexander)
.Greece, being assimilated with the Greek god Zeus
-:Alexander’s aim of visit
.Be a descendent of Amun + offspring of Zeus Amun -1
.Have the support of Amun in his ambitions -2
.Follow tradition of Greek heroes Hercules and Perseus-3
D-The Journey to Siwa Oasis
Down Canopic branch to Paraitonion (modern Matrouh), receiving-
.envoys from Cyrene, March in desert to Siwa
.(Temple of Amun (known as Aghurmy-
Led by high priest into sanctuary, asked questions, received answers-
.and announced as son of Amun
-.Alexander represented with ram’s horns
.Letter to Olympia-
.Return to Memphis by desert road-

E-Founding the City of Alexandria

In the journey to Siwa, along the Mediterranean coast, Alexander gave-
.orders to found a city
-:Privileges of the Location
.West Canopic branch away from the alluvial deposits of the Nile
on a small isthmus between the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the
Lake Mareotis in the south
.number of small villages of fishermen, most distinguished was Rakotis

F-Alexander the Great leaving Egypt

-.Re-arranged administration
-.Divided into two Peteisis and Doloaspis
-.Apollonios the western borders
Cleomenes of Naucratis the eastern borders + finances of Egypt +-
.founding Alexandria
-.Cleomenes went to extreme in collecting taxes and had bad reputition

G-The Death of Alexander the Great

Alexander left Egypt in 331 B.C to Babylon to continue struggle with
-.Persians
The defeat of Persians in Gaugamela in 331 B.C. and escape of Darius
-.III
-.The empire of Alexander extended to Asia Minor and India
-.Alexander’s death in 323 B.C
.Hellenistic Age-

H-The Situation after Alexander's Death

- .Alexander left no heir
.Arrhidaios half-brother of Alexander, mentally defective-
Roxane the Persian wife pregnant in the 6th month with Alexander IV,-
.son of Alexander the Great
.Alexander’s generals held meeting in Babylon-
Perdikkas and Ptolemy’s suggestions-
The Two kings of the empire (Arrhiadaios under Philip III + Alexander-
.IV) under regent. Perdikkas regent of the two kings
-:Satrapies and diadochoi
.Antipitraos in Macedonia (Greek cities) + Krateros in Europe -1
.(Lysimachos in Thrace (near Macedonia -2
.Ptolemy in Egypt -3
.Leomedon in Syria -4
.Archon in Babylon -5
.Eumenes in eastern and northern Asia Minor + Black Sea -6

Ptolemy I and the Founding of the

Ptolemaic Dynasty
”A-Ptolemy I (Soter) “Savior
-.Son of Lagos and Arsinoe, born in 367 B.C
-.Raised in the royal palace with Alexander. Tradition of Philip II
-.Member in high council of Alexander
-.Took part in wars against Persians
:Married 3 times-
.(Artacama (Persian -1
.Eurydike daughter of Antipatros -2
Berenike, Macedonian came with collaterals of Eurydike (had already -3
.3 children) gave birth to Arsinoe and Ptolemy II
Established independent kingdom in Egypt away from struggles-
((political) + economical (wealth

(B-Ptolemy in Egypt (satrap

-.Traveled to Egypt in October or November 323 B.C
Cleomenes of Naukratis taking hold of the affairs of the country,-
(became hyparchos (2nd admisitrative position after Satrap
-.Threat of Ptolemy, friend of Perdikkas
-.Egyptians detested Cleomenes
Ptolemy made use of Egyptian dislike and executed him to secure his-
-.”position away from Alexander’s successors “Diadochi

C-Ptolemy's Foreign Policy

(Cyrenaica (Libya
-.Capturing Cyrenaica in 323 B.C
.Owing to troubles among oligarchs. Some asked Ptolemy for protection-
He set a force commanded by Ophellas, seized Cyrene and later the rest-
.of Libyan cities
.As a reward Ophellas was appointed governor of Cyrenaica-
Ptolemy came for a visit in 322 B.C. & set a constitution known as
“diagramma of Cyrene” in 321-320 B.C. to organise it as a Ptolemaic
.territory
-.Struggle between Perdikkas + antipatros & Krateros
-The latter concluded a coalition with Ptolemy & Lysimachos
.
D-Burying the Body of Alexander
-.(Body and funeral carriage prepared in Babylon (2 years
Perdikkas (representative of empire) gave orders to bury Alexander-
.with his ancestors in Aegae in Macedonia
Ptolemy aimed at having great glory by possessing body of Alexander in-
.Egypt + Alexander’s wish to be buried in Siwa
-.Ptolemy intercepted procession from Babylon to Syria
.(Carried the body to Egypt, buried in Memphis (capital-
Later the body was removed to be buried in sema (tomb) or soma (body)-
.the royal cemetery in Alexandria when it became the capital

History of Ptolemaic Egypt 3rd

lecture
Ptolemy I and his Policy
(War of Alexander’s Successors (Diadochi
.Perdikkas decided to wage war against Ptolemy & his allies-
He tried to conquer Egypt. He failed in seizing Pelusion and crossing-
.the Nile + he was defeated in a battle south Bubastis
He was killed by his officers in his tent in 320 B.C. As he was-
.arrogant and abhorred by soldiers
-.Meantime, Krateros his ally was killed in a battle by Eumenes
Ptolemy treated Perdikkas’ generals kindly. They offered him-
.position of Perdikkas, but he refused
Once again Alexander’s successors met to decide the new-
.government in Triparadesos in northern Syria
Antipiatros became regent of the empire & transferred its center to-
- .Macedonia where he traveled with the 2 kings
Seleukos (former deputy of Perdikkas) attributed Babylon,-
.Antigonos took Great Phrygia + mission of subjugating Eumenes
-.He achieved the mission & killed Eumenes in 316-315 B.C
-.Ptolemy was attributed Egypt + Cyrenaica
Antipiatros died in 319 B.C. Before death he had appointed the-
.general Polyperchon as future regent
-.Polyperchon was not accepted by Kassandros, Antipiatros’ son
The latter concluded a coalition with Antigonos + Lysimachos +-
.Ptolemy against Polyperchon
Ptolemy took advantage of situation & annexed Syria and Phoenicia-
.to his kingdom in 319-318 B.C
Two important ladies in the royal family of Alexander played-
political roles: Olympias, Alexander’s mother & Euyrdike, PhilipIII’s
.wife
Polyperchon offered Olympias a share in the administration of the-
.empire, while Euyrdike + Philip III took side of Kassandros
Olympias waged war against them. She imprisoned Euyrdike & her-
.husband and executed them
Kassandros later forced Olympias to surrender and condemned to-
.death
Alexander IV and Roxane were kept in custody of Kassandros (who-
.(became ruler of Macedonia

Ptolemy I and Cyprus

Alley with Cyprus
Antigonaos had a great ambition to expand his kingdom east =-
Europe. He demanded from Seleukos a share in administration of
.Babylon
Seleukos refused and headed to Egypt where he was welcomed by-
Ptolemy. They concluded another coalition with Kassandroa and
.Lysimachos against Antigonos
They sent their demands that Syria was satrapy of Ptolemy, Phrygia-
to Lysimachos, Cappadocia & Lycia to Kassandros, Babylon to
.Seleukos
Antigonos refused this and made a coalition with the kings of-
.Rhoades, Cyprus and Polyperchon
He counted Kassandros’ crimes against Alexander’s family +-
.announced autonomy of the Greek cities under Lysimachos
Ptolemy meanwhile won a battle in Cyprus led by commander of his-
fleet Menelaos his brother and Seleukos and annexed Cyprus to his
.kingdom
 Losing Cyprus
Antigonos was threatened by Ptolemy in the Aegean Sea and-
.Kassandros in the Greek cities
He sent army commanded by his son Demetrius to Attika in 307 B.C.-
.and freed Athens + exiled its ruler Demetrios of Phaleron
He sent his son to another battle in the sea at Salamis against-
Ptolemy in Cyprus. Ptolemaic fleet was destroyed and Menelaos was
.killed

Ptolemy lost his control over sea

Antigonos took the title “basileus” or “king”. In return Ptolemy was-
proclaimed “king” by his army and so were Seleukos and
.Lysimachos
Antigonos decided to conquer Egypt in 306 B.C with an army led by-
.himself and his son
.The army was defeated and withdrew in 305 B.C-
He decided to weaken the Ptolemaic power in the sea by putting-
Rhoades (great trade center for Egypt) under siege. He send
Demetrios for this mission. He failed and signed a treaty with
Rhoades to be their ally on condition not to be hostile to Ptolemy,
especially that he had helped them in their war and they had given
.”him name “soter” or “savior
Kassandros to cnfront Antigonos signed a treaty with Lysimachos,-
.Ptolemy & Seleukos in 302 B.C
Lysimachos headed to Asia, Seleukos went west & joined him,-
Ptolemy headed to Syria & Kassandros confronted Demetrios in
.Tesilai
Antigonos was killed in war in 301 B.C., Demetrios fled to Ephesus and-
.retained Cyprus and his position in Greece

History of Ptolemaic Egypt 4th

lecture
(.Ptolemy II, Philadelphos (285-246 B.C
Son of Berenike. He was 25 years old. He was interested in-
.geography and animals
He married Arsinoe I, daughter of Lysimachos. She gave birth to-
.Ptolemy III, Lysimachos and Berenike
In 279 B.C. he banished Arsinoe I to Coptos and married his sister-
Arsinoe II in 276 B.C. Who had already married twice: Lysimachos &
her half brother Keraunus who killded her two children from
.Lysimachos
Lysimachos had died in a battle against Seleukos. Keraunus took-
.refuge at Seleukos to support him to proclaim right in Egypt’s throne
Seleukos wanted to control Alexander’s empire. He went to-
.conquered Macedonia. Therefore, he was killed by Keraunus
- .Seleukos was succeeded by his son Antiochos in Asia Minor
Eventually, Keraunus himself was killed in a battle in 279 B.C. and-
.Antigonos Gonatas took over Macedonia
powers: Egypt, Seleucid dynasty (Antiochos I) in Mesopotamia and 3-
.Antigonos Gonatas in Macedonia center of the Greek cities
Ptolemy wanted to have control over sea, Phoenicia, Palestine and
-.Syria
Ptolemy had war against Antiochos I “Damascus War” in 280 in-
which he captured Damascus and northern Phoenicia. War ended
.with a treaty in 279 B.C
In Nubia: Lower Nubia between 1st & 2nd cataract. Northern part 12--
miles district (Dodecascoionos). Upper Nubia (between 5th & 6th
.cataracts), capital Meroe
Ptolemy sent expedition to Elephantine in 275 B.C. that suffered-
.from nomad incursions + gold + war elephants

First Syrian War

Ptolemy II waged war against Antiochos I known as “First Syrian-
War” in 275/274 B.C. in which he conquered Syria, but was defeated
.by Antiochos & his Indian elephants
Antiochos meanwhile had an ally with Magas in Cyenaica who-
married Apama his daughter and announced independence of
.Cyrenaica in 274 B.C. and tried to invade Egypt but failed
Ptolemy re-conquered Syria & defeated Antiochos I in 271 B.C. &-
concluded a treaty by which Damascus + Phoenicia remained in the
.Ptolemaic hands
.Arsinoe died in 270 B.C-
Ptolemy organized policy for guarding red sea routes. Established a-
.canal + caravan routes between Nile Valley and Red Sea
Ptolemy wanted to eliminate threat of Antigonos Gonatas by turning-
Greek cities against him. He made ally with Athens and donated it
.with money & grain
Chermoindian War: Athenians agreed on Chermonides suggestion to-
conclude a treaty with Sparta, Peloponnesus & Egypt against
.Antigonos Gonatas
The two sides met in Chermoindian war in 267 B.C. in which-
.Antigonos besieged Athens and finally captured it in 261 B.C

Second Syrian War

Antiochos I died in 262/261 B.C. & succeeded by his son Antiochos II-
who made an ally with Rhoades & Antigonos Gonatas against the
.Ptolemaic fleet that was defeated in 256 B.C
In 255 B.C. a peace treaty between Antiochos II & Ptolemy in which-
.Ptolemy gave up the Cycladic islands
-.Antiochos II married Berenike II,daughter of Ptolemy II in 252 B.C
Magas in Cyrenaica to solve the matters offered his daughter’s hand-
in marriage (Bernike) to successor of Philadelphos, Ptolemy III before
.he died
Apama refused this engagement and offered her daughter’s hand to-
.Demetrios the fair half-brother of Antigonos Gonatas
.He had affair with Apama herself and Bernike killed him-
.The former engagement to Ptolemy III was valid once again-
-.Ptolemy II finally died in 246 B.C

(.Ptolemy III, Euergetes I (246-221 B.C

Succeeded the throne in 246 B.C. Famous for good deeds-
.”“Euregetes” or “benefactor
Established strong authority with his wife Berenike in Cyrenaica +
-.New Greek cities

Third Syrian War

Antiochos II died in Ephesos (Asia Minor) in 246 B.C. & succeeded-
by Seleukos II, son of Laodike. Despite that the legitimate heir was
son of Bernike who was in Antioch & refused the accession supported
by the Syrian cities. Asked help of her brother Ptolemy III. Thus
.”“third Syrian war” or “Laodicean war
Ptolemy III set a naval expedition to Seleukia & Antioch. Bernike-
.had been killed before his arrival in 245 B.C
Ptolemy carried on his expedition & reached Mesopotamia without-
.fight. He appointed a strategos & left to Egypt due to outbreak
Seleukos II drew Greek cities to his side & was crowned as king of-
Babylon in 245 B.C. He set out to capture Seleukia & Syria in 243
.B.C., but fleet destroyed by storm, returned to Antioch
Selukos II had ally with Gonatas in Macedonia against Ptolemy.-
Situation ended with a treaty in 241B.C. The Syrian coast remained in
.Ptolemaic hands

War of Two Brothers

When Seleukos II left Asia Minor, he left behind his younger brother-
.Antiochos Hierax with his mother Laodike
When he asked provisions at end of 3rd Syrian war, his brother-
.accepted on condition of a co-joint rule in Asia Minor in 241 B.C
Two brothers plunged into war. Ptolemy III supported Antiochos-
Hierax who was victorious. Treaty in 236 B.C. in which he took
.Seleucid Asia Minor as a whole
Attalos I, governor of Pergammon defeated Antiochos Hierax in 3-
.battles & became master of Seleucid Asia Minor in 228 B.C
-.Hierax fled to Alex & was imprisoned by Ptolemy
Antiochos II’s cousin defeated Attalos who was supported by-
.Ptolemy III & pushed back to Pergammon
-.Ptolemy III died from illness in 221 B.C

History of Ptolemaic Egypt 5th

lecture
(.Ptolemy IV, Philopator (221-204 B.C
Beginning of Decline
years old, married his sister Arsinoe III in 217 B.C., who gave 22-
.birth to Ptolemy V in 209 B.C. & co-regency in 208 B.C
Philopator (father-loving) to gain respect of people who loved his-
.”father. Fond of literature & wrote tragedy of “Adonis
He was influenced by a friend Agathokles & the latter’s sister-
Agathoklia (mistress), their mother Oenanthe + Sosibios that had
been a vizier of finances during his father’s reign & became consoler
.of Ptolemy IV
Sosibios eliminated Ptolemy’s mother, Berenike II, younger brother-
.and uncle Lysimachos to monopolize the king
 Foreign Policy
:Reconciliation with Macedonia
Antigonos Doson died in 221 B.C. & Ptolemy had an ally with-
.Macedonia
Cleomenes requested help from PtolemyI V & permission to leave -
.with his men to Macedonia
Sosibios made Ptolemy suspicious, so he refused request of-
.Cleomenes & imprisoned him in a fancy house in Alexandria
Cleomenes escaped & tried to inflame revolt against Ptolemy, but-
.failed and committed suicide with his followers

Fourth Syrian War

Antiochos III conquered Coele Syria in 221 B.C. The Ptolemaic-
governor of the region, Aeotolian Theodotos disappointed him and
.drove him back
Antiochos III however achieved victory in 220 B.C. Ptolemy IV-
.instead of rewarding Theodotos, he offended him by court intrigues
When Antiochos attacked Seleucia in 219 B.C., Theodotos urged him-
to invade Coele Syria & expressed willing to be his commander &
.handed him 40 ships + huge military equipment
Antiochos headed to Coele Syria & found way open to Egypt.-
Sosibios set a rumor that all the Egyptian army camped in Pleusion &
that Ptolemy IV would yield
Antiochos Coele Syria by negotiations if he would accept an-
armistice for 4 months. -Antiochos accepted & returned back waiting
.for negotiations
Egypt was not ready for confrontation. Ptolemy went to Memphis to-
collect troops, Sosibios had an army trained secretly in Alexandria &
mercenaries were brought from Greece. Meanwhile Sosibios expatiate
.negotiations with Antiochos
Negotiations in 219-218 B.C. Egypt stipulated including Achaios,-
Antiochos III’s cousin in the treaty. Antiochos cut the negotiations &
sent an army to invade Coele Syria by land & sea. He met the
.Ptolemaic force north Sidon and defeated it
:Battle of Raphia
In 217 B.C. Antiochos III marched towards Raphia to meet the-
.Ptolemaic army commanded by Ptolemy IV + Arsinoe
Ptolemaic army consisted of 70,000 infantry, 5000 cavalery +73-
African elephants. Antiochos’: 62, 000 infantry, 6000 horsemen + 102
.Indian elephants
Egyptian army defeated Antiochos & regained Coele Syria & signed-
.a treaty
Ptolemy appointed Andromachos governor of Coele Syria & returned
-.to Alex
.Victory of Raphia made Egyptians gain high ranks in society-
-.Separate line between two eras
powers: Rome, Philip V successor of Antiogons (220 B.C.) & 3
-.Antiochos
Rome decided to capture Illyria to secure its coasts. Macedonia was-
.threatened by the Roman presence in the region
Rome made ally with Iotolians, enemy of Macedonia which plunged-
into 6 years war “First Macedonia War”. It was ended with Iotolians
defeat & a treaty with Philip V in 206 B.C. & another with Romans in
.205 B.C
Antiochos rebuilt power, eliminated his cousin Achaeos in 213 B.C.-
.He reunited his empire & was called Antiochos the Great
-.Ptolemy IV died & his wife was killed in 204 B.C
Perhaps he had died earlier & was kept as a secret until Arsinoe was-
.killed

(.Ptolemy V, Epiphanes (204-180 B.C

Ptolemy V was a child; regency was made to Sosibios & Agathocles-
according to a will of Ptolemy IV. Sosibios died. Agathocles put the
.child in the care of Agathoclea and Oenanthe
Agathocles sent embassy to Antiochos to respect treaties & another-
to Rome to ask the senate to be immediate between Ptolemy V &
.Antiochos III
Secret negotiations between Antiochos III & Philip V to share-
Egyptian points: Philip in Cyclades + Cyrenaica & Antiochos in Coele
-.Syris + points in Asia Minor
-.Antiochos failed in capturing Syria in 202 B.C
Tlepolemos commander in Pleusion claimed regency of the king.-
.Agathocles accused him of being ally of Antiochos III
Flame of revolution started after a trial of a follower of Tlepolemos, a-
royal guardian, who escaped to the tent of Macedonian soldiers’ tent
.to ask protection for him & king from Agathocles
People besiged the palace, Agathokles & family sheltered in a gallery-
that was attacked & he hand the king over. He & his family were
.thrown to people & were torn into pieces

Fifth Syrian War

Tlepolemos beacme regent of the king. He neglected administration-
.& was disposed & succeeded by Acrane Aristomanes
Antiochos III re-invaded Coele Syria in 201 B.C. He reached Gaza in-
200 B.C. Scobas the Egyptian commander reunited troops & regained
.Gaza
The struggles were ended surrender of Scobas in 199 B.C. & Egypt-
.lost Syria forever by 198 B.C
Rome sent embassy to conciliate Ptolemy & Antiochos. Antiochos-
.showed friendship but refused
Regency of Ptolemy was ended in 197 when he beacme 14. & crowned
-.in Memphis
Egypt went into negotiations with Antiochos to marry Ptolemy V to
.his daughter Cleopatra I in return he would gain Coele Syria
A rumor spread that Ptolemy V died, Antiochos immerdately saild to-
.Egypt. On the way he knew it was a rumor & returned back
A great wedding was held in Raphia in 194 B.C. Ptolemy (16) +-
.(Cleopatra (10
.Cleopatra presented the annual income to her future husband
Antiochos wished to gain Egypt on his side against Rome, but Egypt-
.went on the Roman side
Antiochos was defeated by the Romans in 189 B.C. & signed a treaty.-
.Egypt did not get benfits from the defeat of Antiochos
-.Antiochos was killed in 187 B.C. & succeeded by son Seleukos IV
-.Ptolemy sent a naval expedition to Syria in 182 B.C
-.He was poisoned by his generals & died at age of 30 in 180 B.C