- 320 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
"Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation . . . an ideal introduction to the creation and rise of the Ptolemaic era of Egypt." —
Midwest Book Review
In this first volume of his trilogy on the Ptolemies, John Grainger explains how Ptolemy I established the dynasty's power in Egypt in the wake of Alexander the Great's death. Egypt had been independent for most of the fourth century BC, but was reconquered by the Persian Empire in the 340s. This is essential background for Ptolemaic history, since it meant that Alexander was welcomed as a liberator and, after the tyranny of Kleomenes, so was Ptolemy.
This was the essential basis of Ptolemy's power. He conciliated the Egyptians, but reinforced his military strength with Greek settlers, mainly retired or available soldiers. He built the city of Alexandria, but to his own requirements, not those planned by Alexander. The empire outside Egypt was acquired, perhaps for defense, perhaps by sheer greed. Ptolemy took over Cyrenaica (with difficulty), Cyprus, and Syria/Palestine. These had to be defended against his rivals, hence the development of his navy, and the Syrian Wars.
The succession was carefully managed, but not directly hereditary (Ptolemy II wasn't the eldest son), and the new king was very different. He fought repeated wars in Syria, built up his navy in the Aegean to the greatest seen in the ancient world, and extended his empire into the lands of the Red Sea, Sudan, and Ethiopia. He taxed the Egyptians mercilessly to fund all these activities. Yet few of his wars were successful, and he stored up trouble for his successors. This volume by a historian of the period delves into these events in a clear, compelling style.
In this first volume of his trilogy on the Ptolemies, John Grainger explains how Ptolemy I established the dynasty's power in Egypt in the wake of Alexander the Great's death. Egypt had been independent for most of the fourth century BC, but was reconquered by the Persian Empire in the 340s. This is essential background for Ptolemaic history, since it meant that Alexander was welcomed as a liberator and, after the tyranny of Kleomenes, so was Ptolemy.
This was the essential basis of Ptolemy's power. He conciliated the Egyptians, but reinforced his military strength with Greek settlers, mainly retired or available soldiers. He built the city of Alexandria, but to his own requirements, not those planned by Alexander. The empire outside Egypt was acquired, perhaps for defense, perhaps by sheer greed. Ptolemy took over Cyrenaica (with difficulty), Cyprus, and Syria/Palestine. These had to be defended against his rivals, hence the development of his navy, and the Syrian Wars.
The succession was carefully managed, but not directly hereditary (Ptolemy II wasn't the eldest son), and the new king was very different. He fought repeated wars in Syria, built up his navy in the Aegean to the greatest seen in the ancient world, and extended his empire into the lands of the Red Sea, Sudan, and Ethiopia. He taxed the Egyptians mercilessly to fund all these activities. Yet few of his wars were successful, and he stored up trouble for his successors. This volume by a historian of the period delves into these events in a clear, compelling style.
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Yes, you can access The Ptolemies, Rise of a Dynasty by John D. Grainger in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & Egyptian Ancient History. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Halftitle
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Maps
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Ptolemy’s First Years
- Chapter 2 Egypt’s Defender
- Chapter 3 City, Family and Settlers
- Chapter 4 Securing Syria
- Chapter 5 Ptolemy’s Empire Revived
- Chapter 6 Ptolemy II’s First Decade
- Chapter 7 Governing Egypt
- Chapter 8 Arsinoe II
- Chapter 9 The First Syrian War
- Chapter 10 The Empire – The Nearby Mainland
- Chapter 11 The Empire – The Islands, the Asian Coasts, and the West
- Chapter 12 Expeditions to the South
- Chapter 13 The Chremonidean War
- Chapter 14 The Second Syrian War
- Chapter 15 Preparations for a New War
- Genealogical Tables
- Notes and References
- Bibliography
- Plate