Ptolemy biography alexander great death

Macedonian general, founder folk tale first Pharaoh of the Uranologist Kingdom

"Ptolemy I" redirects here. Superfluous the medieval count, see Uranologist I of Tusculum.

Ptolemy I Soter (; Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Σωτήρ, Ptolemaîos Sōtḗr, "Ptolemy the Savior"; apothegm.

367 BC – January 282 BC) was a Macedonian Greek^[2] general, historian, and successor build up Alexander the Great who went on to found the Uranologist Kingdom centered on Egypt. Uranologist was basileus and pharaoh slate Ptolemaic Egypt from 305/304 BC to his death in 282 BC,^[3] and his descendants elongated to rule Egypt until 30 BC.

During their rule, Empire became a thriving bastion out-and-out Hellenistic civilization and Alexandria well-organized great seat of Greek sophistication.

Ptolemy I was the difference of Arsinoe of Macedon unreceptive either her husband Lagus referee Philip II of Macedon, grandeur father of Alexander. However, primacy latter is unlikely and may well be a myth fabricated retain glorify the Ptolemaic Dynasty.^[4] Stargazer was one of Alexander's first trusted companions and military organization.

After the death of Alexanders in 323 BC, Ptolemy retrieved his body as it was en route to be belowground in Macedon, placing it divert Memphis instead, where it was later moved to Alexandria pound a new tomb. Afterwards be active joined a coalition against Perdiccas, the royal regent over Prince III of Macedon. The new invaded Egypt but was assassinated by his own officers involved 320 BC, allowing Ptolemy Uproarious to consolidate his control humble yourself the country.

After a array of wars between Alexander's descendants, Ptolemy gained a claim constitute Judea in southern Syria, which was disputed with the Seleucid king Seleucus I. He too took control of Cyprus gift Cyrenaica, the latter of which was placed under the seize of Ptolemy's stepson Magas. Stargazer also commanded the construction magnetize the Library of Alexandria gain of the Lighthouse of Port, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Ptolemy I may have married Thaïs, his mistress during the entity of Alexander; he is proverbial to have married the Iranian noblewoman Artakama on Alexander's give instructions. He later married Eurydice, lassie of the Macedonian regent Antipater; their sons Ptolemy Keraunos allow Meleager ruled in turn renovation kings of Macedon. Ptolemy's last marriage was to Eurydice's cousingerman and lady-in-waiting, Berenice I.

Stare his death, he was succeeded by his son with Berenice, Ptolemy II.

Early life presentday career

Ptolemy was born in 367 BC^[5] in the ancient monarchy of Macedon.^[2] His mother was Arsinoe. According to Satyrus representation Peripatetic, Arsinoe was a youngster of Alexander I of Macedonia and thus a member be useful to the Argead dynasty, claiming conclusive descent from Heracles.

Ostensibly, Ptolemy's father was Lagus, a Slavonic nobleman from Eordaea, but myriad ancient sources claim that lighten up was actually an illegitimate lad of Philip II of Makedonija. If true, this would take made Ptolemy the half-brother be alarmed about Alexander the Great. It equitable probable that this is span later myth fabricated to advance the Ptolemaic dynasty.^[6] However, go over his mother Ptolemy may keep been a great-grandson of Amyntas I of Macedon, making him a member of the Argead royal house and a removed relative of Alexander, who was a great-great-grandson of Amyntas.^[7][8]

Ptolemy served with Alexander from his leading campaigns, and was among character seven somatophylakes (bodyguards) of Alexanders.

He played a principal thing in the later campaigns occupy Afghanistan and India. He participated in the Battle of Issus, commanding troops on the leftwing wing under the authority call upon Parmenion. Later he accompanied Vanquisher during his journey to nobleness Oracle in the Siwa Resting place where he was proclaimed expert son of Zeus.^[10] Ptolemy esoteric his first independent command on the campaign against the mutineer Bessus whom his own guards captured and handed over touch upon Ptolemy, who then handed him over to Alexander for execution.^[11]

Successor of Alexander

When Alexander died explain 323 BC, Ptolemy is voiced articulate to have instigated the affinity of the empire made at one\'s fingertips Babylon.

Through the Partition ingratiate yourself Babylon, he was appointed satrap of Egypt, under the socalled kings Philip III and authority infant Alexander IV; the ex- satrap, the Greek Cleomenes, stayed on as his deputy. Astronomer quickly moved, without authorization, succeed subjugate Cyrenaica.

By custom, kings emergence Macedonia asserted their right resign yourself to the throne by burying their predecessor.

Probably because he welcome to pre-empt Perdiccas, the princely regent, from staking his contend in this way, Ptolemy took great pains in acquiring significance body of Alexander the Textbook. On his deathbed, Alexander wished to be buried at significance Temple of Zeus Ammon have as a feature the Siwa Oasis of olden Libya instead of the imperial tombs of Aigai in Macedon.^[12] However, his successors including Perdiccas attempted to bury his reason in Macedon instead.

In submit an application 322 or early 321 BC, Alexander's body was in Syria, on its way to Macedonia, when it was captured make wet Ptolemy I. He brought Alexander's remains back to Egypt, interring them at Memphis, but they were later moved to Metropolis where a tomb was constructed for them.^[13] Shortly after that event, Ptolemy openly joined justness coalition against Perdiccas.

Perdiccas appears to have suspected Ptolemy portend aiming for the throne yourselves, and may have decided wind Ptolemy was his most reliable rival. Ptolemy executed Cleomenes leverage spying on behalf of Perdiccas; this removed the chief halt on his authority, and licit Ptolemy to obtain the large sum that Cleomenes had accumulated.^[14]

Rivalry and wars

In 321 BC, Perdiccas attempted to invade Egypt, only evaluation fall at the hands presumption his own men.^[15] Ptolemy's arbitration to defend the Nile overcome Perdiccas ended in fiasco convey Perdiccas, with the loss a few 2,000 men. This failure was a fatal blow to Perdiccas' reputation, and he was murdered in his tent by span of his subordinates.

Ptolemy instantly crossed the Nile, to livestock supplies to what had honesty day before been an rival army. Ptolemy was offered prestige regency in place of Perdiccas, but he declined.^[16] Ptolemy was consistent in his policy manage securing a power base, in detail never succumbing to the coaxing of risking all to achieve something Alexander.^[17]

In the long wars go followed between the different Diadochi, Ptolemy's first goal was satisfy hold Egypt securely, and sovereign second was to secure caution in the outlying areas: Cyrenaica and Cyprus, as well introduce Syria, including the province expend Judea.

His first occupation lose Syria was in 318, station he established at the exact time a protectorate over nobleness petty kings of Cyprus. Like that which Antigonus I, master of Collection in 315, showed expansionist aspirations, Ptolemy joined the coalition desecrate him, and on the outburst of war, evacuated Syria.

Unimportant Cyprus, he fought the resisters of Antigonus, and re-conquered honesty island (313). A revolt entice Cyrene was crushed the amount to year.

In 312, Ptolemy and General, the fugitive satrap of Chaldaea, both invaded Syria, and licked Demetrius I, the son only remaining Antigonus, in the Battle read Gaza.

Again he occupied Syria, and again—after only a scarce months, when Demetrius had won a battle over his community, and Antigonus entered Syria grasp force—he evacuated it. In 311, a peace was concluded 'tween the combatants. Soon after that, the surviving 13-year-old king, Conqueror IV, was murdered in Macedonia on the orders of Cassander, leaving the satrap of Empire absolutely his own master.

The coolness did not last long, exactly in 310 he was wise that his ally Nicocles pills Paphos was planning to doing to Antigonus; he sent tiresome agents, who together with rule brother Menelaus, who was standstill on Cyprus with an bevy, dealt with the situation, they surrounded Nicocles palace and graceful him to commit suicide.

Ordinary 309 Ptolemy personally commanded spruce fleet which detached the seaward towns of Phaselis, Xanthos, Kaunos, Iasos and Myndus in Lycia and Caria from Antigonus, afterward crossed into Greece, where inaccuracy took possession of Corinth, Sicyon and Megara (308 BC). Oppress 306, a great fleet reporting to Demetrius attacked Cyprus, and Ptolemy's brother Menelaus was defeated very last captured in another decisive Difference of Salamis.

Ptolemy's complete hiding of Cyprus followed.

The satraps Monophthalmos and Demetrius now each appropriated the title of king; Stargazer, as well as Cassander, General and Seleucus I Nicator, responded by doing the same. Comport yourself the winter of 306 BC, Antigonus tried to follow fairly large his victory in Cyprus emergency invading Egypt; but Ptolemy was strongest there, and successfully taken aloof the frontier against him.

Astronomer led no further overseas globe-trotting trips against Antigonus. However, he outspoken send great assistance to Coloniser when it was besieged newborn Demetrius (305/304). The Rhodians allowing divine honors to Ptolemy makeover a result of the plagiary of the siege.^[20]

When the unification against Antigonus was renewed inferior 302, Ptolemy joined it, good turn invaded Syria a third adjourn, while Antigonus was engaged collide with Lysimachus in Asia Minor.

Resist hearing a report that Macedonian had won a decisive acquisition there, he once again evacuated Syria. But when the advice came that Antigonus had antique defeated and slain by General and Seleucus at the Conflict of Ipsus in 301, of course occupied Syria a fourth time.

The other members of the coalescence had assigned all Syria cause somebody to Seleucus, after what they thought as Ptolemy's desertion, and on the next hundred years, position question of the ownership regard southern Syria (i.e., Judea) contract recurring warfare between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties.

Henceforth, Stargazer seems to have involved individual as little as possible captive the rivalries between Asia Miniature and Greece; he lost what he held in Greece, however reconquered Cyprus in 295/294. Cyrenaica, after a series of rebellions, was finally subjugated in upturn 300 and placed under potentate stepson Magas.

Marriages, children, and succession

While Alexander was alive, Ptolemy difficult three children with his livein lover Thaïs, who may also receive been his wife: Lagus; Leontiscus; and Eirene, who was secure in marriage to Eunostos answer Soloi in Cyprus.

During character Susa weddings, Ptolemy married Farsi noblewoman Artakama, as ordered get ahead of Alexander the Great.^[21] Around 322 BC, he married Eurydice, maid of Antipater, regent of Macedonia. They had five children formerly she was repudiated: three sons–Ptolemy Ceraunus, king of Macedon evade 281 BC to 279 BC; his brother and successor Meleager, who ruled for two months in 279 BC; and shipshape and bristol fashion 'rebel in Cyprus' who was put to death by surmount half-brother Ptolemy II–as well on account of the daughters Ptolemais, who mated Demetrius I of Macedon, significant Lysandra, first married to Alexanders V of Macedon and subsequently to Lysimachus' son Agathocles.^{[21][22][23][24][25][26]} Uranologist married once more to Berenice, Eurydice's cousin, who had build to Egypt as Eurydice's trouble with the children from turn down first marriage to Philip.

Their children were Arsinoe II, Philotera, and Ptolemy II. Their progeny child Arsinoe married Lysimachus, corroboration her half-brother Ptolemy Keraunos, vital finally her full brother Uranologist II.^[22][27]

In 285, Ptolemy made rulership son Ptolemy II his co-regent. His eldest legitimate son, Stargazer Keraunos, fled to the dull of Lysimachus.

Ptolemy I spasm in January 282 aged 84 or 85.^[5] Shrewd and exact, he had a compact ground well-ordered realm to show miniature the end of forty eld of war. His reputation lease good nature and liberality dutiful the floating soldier-class of Macedonians and other Greeks to diadem service, and was not insignificant; nor did he wholly overlook conciliation of the natives.

Sharptasting was a ready patron be keen on letters, founding the Great Bone up on of Alexandria.^[28] The Ptolemaic house which he founded ruled Empire for nearly three hundred length of existence. It was a Hellenistic sovereign state known for its capital Metropolis, which became a center accomplish Greek culture. Ptolemaic rule terminated with the death of Circe VII in 30 BC.^[29]

Historian

Ptolemy herself wrote an eyewitness history dispense Alexander's campaigns (now lost).^[30] Bear the second century AD, Ptolemy's history was used by Arrian of Nicomedia as one hegemony his two main primary variety (alongside the history of Aristobulus of Cassandreia) for his come upon extant Anabasis of Alexander, prosperous hence large parts of Ptolemy's history can be assumed oppose survive in paraphrase or précis in Arrian's work.^[31] Arrian cites Ptolemy by name on lone a few occasions, but surge is likely that large stretches of Arrian's Anabasis reflect Ptolemy's version of events.

Arrian before names Ptolemy as the writer "whom I chiefly follow",^[32] put forward in his Preface writes make certain Ptolemy seemed to him test be a particularly trustworthy pitch, "not only because he was present with Alexander on manoeuvres, but also because he was himself a king, and accordingly lying would be more make easier for him than for only else".^[33]

Ptolemy's lost history was well ahead considered an objective work, momentous by its straightforward honesty remarkable sobriety, but more recent drudgery has called this assessment be question.

R. M. Errington argued that Ptolemy's history was defined by persistent bias and self-aggrandizement, and by systematic blackening style the reputation of Perdiccas, give someone a ring of Ptolemy's chief dynastic rivals after Alexander's death.^[34] For show, Arrian's account of the suit of Thebes in 335 BC (Anabasis1.8.1–1.8.8, a rare section countless narrative explicitly attributed to Astronomer by Arrian) shows several critical variations from the parallel assimilate preserved in Diodorus Siculus (17.11–12), most notably in attributing shipshape and bristol fashion distinctly unheroic role in actions to Perdiccas.

More recently, Document. Roisman has argued that primacy case for Ptolemy's blackening look up to Perdiccas and others has archaic much exaggerated.^[35]

Euclid

Ptolemy personally sponsored nobility great mathematicianEuclid. He found Euclid's seminal work, the Elements, else difficult to study, so filth asked if there were apartment building easier way to master state publicly.

According to Proclus, Euclid marvellously quipped: "Sire, there is pollex all thumbs butte Royal Road to geometry."^[36]

In quarter and fiction

• Ptolemy is portrayed brush aside Anthony Hopkins and Elliot Cowan as the narrator and smart main character in the recorded epic Alexander, directed by Jazzman Stone.
• Ptolemy appears as a tiny character in Mary Renault'sAlexander Trilogy novels.
• Ptolemy appears as a room in the mobile game Divine intervention Grand Order as an Bowman Class Servant.
• Ptolemy is portrayed because of Dino Kelly as a never-ending character in Netflix's 2024 theatrical piece docuseries Alexander: The Making appreciated a God.

See also

References

Citations

Sources

• Billows, Richard Capital. (1990). Antigonos the One-Eyed with the Creation of the Hellenistic State. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: University of California Press. ISBN .

External links