Ptolemies

The Ptolemies were a Macedonian Greek royal dynasty that ruled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt for nearly 300 years, from 305 BC to 30 BC. The dynasty was founded by Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great's generals. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, his vast empire was divided among his generals, and Ptolemy gained control of Egypt.

The Ptolemies maintained Hellenistic rule over Egypt, blending Greek culture with Egyptian traditions. They established Alexandria as their capital, which became a center of learning, culture, and commerce in the ancient world. The famous Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse of Alexandria were significant achievements of this era. The Ptolemaic rulers commissioned numerous temples and monuments, often adopting pharaonic titles and iconography to legitimize their rule.

The dynasty was known for its internal strife and succession disputes, often involving sibling marriages. The most famous Ptolemaic ruler was Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of Egypt. Her relationships with Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony ultimately led to her downfall and the end of Ptolemaic rule. Following Cleopatra's death in 30 BC, Egypt was annexed by the Roman Empire, marking the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Hellenistic period.