In the previous article, we spoke of Alexander the Great, his wars with the Persians and usurping their provinces of which Egypt was one. In effect, a new era started which main feature was the flourishing of the Greek civilization. Then, we recounted how Alexander the Great managed Egypt’s affairs, built Alexandria with a Greek style to be a global trade center between the East and the West. Alexander to continue his battles. Yet, he died in Babylon, and great commanders were appointed to rule the provinces. Thus, Egypt was Ptolemy’s lot, only to start the Ptolemaic era which lasted from 323 B.C. to 31 B.C. when the Romans seized Egypt to make it one of their provinces.
d. Ptolemy I
When Alexander the Great died in Babylon, he was succeeded by his youngest half brother and son. Perdicass, one of his faithful commanders, was prince regent. Ptolemy, one of Alexander’s closest and most trustworthy seven commanders, was assigned Egypt’s affairs. He was famous for his bravery and wisdom. Ptolemy and his family ruled Egypt from Alexander’s death till the Romans’ seizing her. Hence, he is the founder of the Ptolemaic State in Egypt.
Ptolemy became Egypt’s sole ruler, having felt Perdicass’ rivalry. Likewise, he brought Alexander’s body from Babylon to Egypt to be buried in Memphis. Yet, its place has never been identified!
He started his tenure, which lasted for 38 years, with wars when the nobles of Cyrene sought his help to overcome their subjects who rebelled and expelled them from the country. So, he helped them and seized their country. He had already mobilized a great army and built a fleet. He conquered Phoenicia and part of Syria, seized Jerusalem as well as Cyprus. Thus, Egypt had maritime sovereignty in the Mediterranean.
In 305 B.C., he assumed the title of king and decided to abandon warfare and mind the country’s affairs. Thus, he organized her internal affairs in order to develop her. He gave attention to construction, which is why it is said that he founded the Library of Alexandria and the museum. However, historians maintain that it was his son, Ptolemy II, who established these, thus ascribing the initiative and preparation to his father. Ptolemy managed the country’s affairs political and economic affairs well, depending on Greek capital through making Egypt accessible to Greek and their civilization which had ruled the world at that time. Ptolemy respected the Egyptian religion. He never meddled with the people’s religious affairs. Nor did he intimidate the priests of the temples. He invented a religion that linked Egyptians with Greeks by introducing Egyptian deities to the Greeks in a way that accords their views and beliefs. Thus, a new deity, Serapis, appeared, and a temple, the Serapium, was built in Alexandria for his worship. The king gave up authority to his son Ptolemy II during his lifetime, two years before his death.
e. Ptolemy II
Ptolemy II ruled Egypt for 38 years. He was a peaceful, tolerant man, which made his tenure quiet and void of wars and rebellions. This led to an increase in the country’s wealth, a boost in trade, and a spreading of knowledge. At that time, the Egypto-Roman relations started. Yet, both were independent from each other in foreign policies and relations.
Ptolemy II was keen on spreading arts and sciences, boosting industries, and collecting books. In fact the Library had a great number of books. Likewise, Ptolemy II contributed to the history of Literature with two major deeds:
First: Having the Pentateuch translated from Hebrew into Greek, which is known as the Septuagint Translation. Some historians assert that Ptolemy wanted to include Jewish books in Bibliotheca Alexandrina, while others maintain that he had the translation done owing to the presence of a great number of Jews in Egypt who did not Hebrew. Thus, he had the Old Testament translated into Greek that these Jews might be able to read it.
He had asked the Jews to send him translators. They sent seventy-two elders who were well-versed in the holy Scriptures as well as two languages. The king separated them and asked each one to do a full translation individually. Having accomplished their mission, he brought them over and compared their versions of translation, only to find them identical. Martyr and philosopher Justin testifies that, “Divine prophecies were preserved by the Jews in Hebrew scriptures. When king Ptolemy got to know, being the founder of Bibliotheca Alexandrina who wanted to collect all the books in it, he asked Herod, the king of Judea to send him these books. So, he sent them in Hebrew which nobody in Egypt knew. So, Ptolemy asked Herod to send him scholars to translate these books, which they did. Now, they are available for the Jews of Egypt to read.”
Second: Ptolemy asked Manetho, a priest from Sebennytus, to write his famous book about the ancient Egyptian history and the Pharaonic dynasties in Greek. He was well-versed in Hieroglyphic and Greek. Manetho divided the Pharaonic dynasties into thirty, which has existed ever since.
He also cared for commerce. So, he removed the old Gulf which connected the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Likewise, he gave attention to trade routes, thus, making them safe and easy for caravans. This led to progress and development of Egyptian trade, to reach the Arab land and India eastward and Ethiopia southward. As for sea trade, he built the Lighthouse of Alexandria to guide trade ships, thus enhancing trade between Egypt and Greece.
Moreover, Ptolemy constructed buildings and temples. Among the most important monuments he left was Isis temple at Philae island. He also gave attention to the expeditions. Thus, he sent many to Africa, the Persian coast, and Nubia to know the Nile course and source. These expeditions resulted in the increase of trade.
f. Ptolemy III
During his tenure which lasted for 25 years, Egypt’s provinces returned to their condition in Pharaonic era. After ascending the throne, he annexed Barqa, after which war broke out between him and the king of the Levant. So, he marched to him with a great army and warships, and was able to succumb him. He reached Euphrates. Some monuments testify to his reaching Babylon, Persia, and Media. On his way to Egypt, he brought back the statues of Egyptian idols that were seized by Cambyses and his successors. Historians assert that Ptolemy III was a great warrior and lover of Literature. He founded Edfu and Dandara temples.
g. Ptolemy IV
During his tenure, which lasted for 17 years, Egypt started to deteriorate. Ptolemy IV was quite young. In effect, the actual ruler was his despotic minister Susipos. The king neglected the country’s affairs, only to care for his pleasures. The minister was keen on separating the king from whoever advised or guided him that he might not discover his corruption and despotism. Even more, he made him believe that everybody wanted to kill him, which the king believed. So much so that whenever he suspected anyone, he would order his killing, after which seditions and bloodshed started. What a story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
