Alexandria: A History and a Guide

by E. M. Forster

Rue Nebi Daniel (Street of Soma): p. [104]

THE FIRST THREE PTOLEMIES.

Ptolemy I., Soter, 323-285.

Ptolemy II., Philadelphus, 285-247.

Ptolemy III., Euergetes, 247-222.

(See Genealogical Tree p. [12]).

When Alexander died the empire was divided among his generals, who ruled for a little in the name of his half-brother or of his son, but who soon proclaimed themselves as independent kings. Egypt fell to the ablest and most discreet of these generals, a Macedonian named Ptolemy. Ptolemy was no soaring idealist.

For a larger view, click on illustration.

[1]. Ptolemy IX is omitted from this list; he was probably a dead son of Ptolemy VII and Cleopatra II, whom they inserted posthumously in the annals as “Neos Philopator.”