Ptolemy I, one of the surviving generals of Alexander the Great, ascended to the position of regent and ultimately Pharaoh of Egypt, but he had to employ skilled physicians to craft a striking likeness of an ancestor connected to Alexander, establishing a new Greco-Egyptian god, Serapis. The rulers of the Ptolemaic dynasty adopted the title of pharaoh and erected many public monuments in their Egyptian attire to gain legitimacy and the support of the native Egyptians.
The birth and life of Ptolemy I Soter
Ptolemy I Soter, a renowned Macedonian King of Egypt, was born in 367 BC in the Kingdom of Macedon. He was a close ally and contemporary of Alexander the Great, playing a prominent role as a military leader in Alexander’s conquests across the Mediterranean, Egypt, Persia, and parts of India.
Legend has it that Ptolemy was the offspring of a liaison between a young noblewoman and Philip II of Macedon, who was the father of Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE). However, there is speculation that this story may have been concocted by Ptolemy himself to bolster his claim to royal legitimacy. If true, it would establish Ptolemy as Alexander’s half-brother and a potential heir to the Macedonian throne.
In truth, Ptolemy was born into a reasonably wealthy Macedonian noble family. His parents were Lagus of Eordaia and Arsinoe of the Argead dynasty. Ptolemy’s mother, Arsinoe, was said to be the concubine of Philip II of Macedon. This, as well as many others, is the reason why it was rumored that Ptolemy was the son of Philip II.
Ptolemy’s journey as a general under Alexander the Great
Ptolemy accompanied Alexander the Great from his early campaigns in 336 BCE to his final campaigns in 323 BCE, serving as a leading commander of Alexander’s army. He was also one of Alexander the Great’s seven personal bodyguards.
As a seasoned and loyal military commander, Ptolemy led the way in Alexander’s magnificent army as they embarked on campaigns southward from Macedonia, through Asia Minor, across Syria, and into Egypt.
The Persian campaign and the successful capture of Babylon.
Immediately following their conquest of Egypt, Alexander embarked on an improbable pilgrimage to seek out a mythical oracle island, accompanied by Ptolemy and some of his followers. After nearly getting lost, they found this legendary oracle island. Upon completing this mission, Ptolemy and the other generals praised their commander as the son of the god Zeus (or Amun in Egyptian mythology). This event holds particular significance as it cemented Alexander’s reputation as a near-divine figure, perhaps a demigod destined to bring the entire world under his rule.
At the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander and Ptolemy faced their toughest challenge yet – the formidable Persian army. Once again, Alexander relied to some extent on Ptolemy’s military tactics to secure a hard-fought victory, even coming close to capturing the Persian King, Darius III. The Persian campaign also saw the Macedonian army seize the historic Babylonian stronghold of the Persians.
The Rise of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
After Alexander’s death in 323 BCE, a power struggle erupted among his second-in-command generals. Perdiccas, the second-in-command and self-appointed regent of the Macedonian kingdom, proposed waiting for Alexander’s heir by his wife, Roxanne, who was pregnant at the time, before deciding on Alexander’s succession.
Ptolemy opposed, leading a campaign to divide the empire among top generals. Granted Egypt as his territory, Ptolemy consolidated power from Egypt to Syria. Perdiccas distrusted him and sent a spy, Cleomenes, to Ptolemy’s court. Ptolemy executed Cleomenes, securing loyalty. He intercepted Alexander’s body, burying it in Alexandria.
Concurrently, generals in the northern European cities closer to the heart of Macedonia learnt of the rebellion of Ptolemy against Perdiccas and followed suit. Approaching Alexandria, a swollen river barred Perdiccas’ army from accessing the city. Perdiccas had no remedy to the barrier. Seeing the futility of Perdiccas’s quest, top officers in his own army mutinied and later assassinated Perdiccas.
After Perdiccas was removed from power, Ptolemy’s status as Alexander’s successor became prominent, overshadowing other generals. Antigonus, ruling Asia Minor, and his son ousted Ser Lucas, Babylon’s governor, who sought refuge with Ptolemy in Alexandria. A conflict erupted between Ptolemy and Ser Lucas against Antigonus, resulting in Ptolemy’s victory. Meanwhile, Cassander, a Macedonian noble, orchestrated the massacre of the entire Macedonian royal family, including Alexander’s wife and child. This prompted the generals controlling various regions under Alexander’s empire to declare themselves kings.
The New Wind of Egypt Through Dynastie Ptolemy I Soter
In 305 BCE, Ptolemy emerged victorious, claiming the throne and the title of pharaoh, renaming himself Ptolemy I Soter. He was named the first Soter (Savior) of Egypt. All subsequent male rulers took the name Ptolemy, while female royals (princesses and queens) favored names like Cleopatra, Arsinoe, or Berenice.
Ptolemy passed away in 282 BC. By the time of his death, he had successfully transformed Alexandria into one of the most impressive locations in the Mediterranean world. It became a hub of intellect, housing numerous museums and the renowned Library of Alexandria, the largest of its kind at the time with over 550,000 scrolls. Its vibrant city and culture were able to attract some of the leading scholars and philosophers of the Hellenistic period, most notably Archimedes and Euclid.
Additionally, the reign of Ptolemy I Soter initiated the construction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos). and completed by his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. The Lighthouse of Alexandria is an architectural and engineering masterpiece of the highest caliber. Estimated to be around 400 feet high, with a statue of the Greek god Zeus at its pinnacle, it’s no wonder this offshore architectural feat has made the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
During Ptolemy II’s reign, more Egyptian customs were adopted, such as royal siblings marrying according to the myth of Osiris. He also initiated a tradition of engaging in Egyptian religious life, including the construction and renovation of temples, as well as participating in religious ceremonies.
Ptolemy established one of the most formidable dynasties in Egypt – the Ptolemaic Dynasty – which lasted for several centuries and gave rise to notable figures such as Cleopatra. The Ptolemaic dynasty was the last ruling dynasty of Egypt, persisting until the Roman Empire conquered Egypt.
Interesting Facts About Ptolemy
- Ptolemy I Soter never learned Egyptian. Queen Cleopatra VII was the only Ptolemaic ruler who spoke Egyptian and many other languages.
- it was he who promoted the cult of Serapis, the Greco-Egyptian god of healing. And Ptolemy used this god to gather the Egyptians and Greeks into his kingdom.
- To honor the conquests and achievements of Alexander the Great, Ptolemy created the cult of Alexander, thereby making the conqueror a god.
- The Ptolemaic dynasty that Ptolemy I Soter founded ruled Egypt for nearly three hundred years. It was not until Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC that this dynasty ended.
- After the death of Ptolemy I, the Egyptians elevated him to the status of a god
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