Ptolemy Dynasty of Egypt
305 to 30 BC
The Ptolemaic dynasty
was a Hellenistic Greek royal family which ruled the Ptolemaic Empire in Egypt for nearly 300 years, from 305 BC to 30 BC.
Ptolemy I was one of Alexander the Great's generals and was appointed satrap
of Egypt after Alexander's death in 323 BC. In 305 BC, he declared himself King Ptolemy I, later known as "Soter" (savior). The
Egyptians soon accepted the Ptolemy's as the successors to the pharaohs of independent Egypt. Ptolemy's family ruled Egypt until
the Roman conquest of 30 BC.
All the male rulers of the dynasty took the name Ptolemy. Ptolemaic queens, some of whom were the sisters of their husbands, were
usually called Cleopatra, Arsinoe or Berenice. The most famous member of the line was the last queen, Cleopatra VII, known for her
role in the Roman political battles between Julius Caesar and Pompey, and later between Octavian and Mark Antony. Her suicide at the
conquest by Rome marked the end of Ptolemaic rule in Egypt.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptolemies
Click on coin images to enlarge
Ptolemy IV
221 to 205 BC
Obvs: Zeus Amon right
Revs: ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, Eagle on thunderbolt. Cornucopia to left
AE 35mm, 31.0g
$149.00
Order # G 197
Svoronos 1127
