Ptolemy - CNE281

What do we know about Ptolemy’s background and connections to Alex

He was the Son of Lagus and Arsinoe (traditions say he was the illegitimate son of Philip)and likely was older than Alexander. He adopted the eagle as the symbol of his family. He had one brother Menelaus who was a general turned priest.

What did Ptolemy look like?

large nose, broad forehead, prominent chin, big fleshy mouth, tired eyes, big ears. Known as authoritative and frugal

What was Ptolemy upbringing?

He was a royal page, attending the king and serving on campaigns. He was taught how to ride, fight, and hunt, as well as read and write. He was a man of action and thought

What were some of the features of Macedonia that Ptolemy would have been familiar with

The Macedonians lived and drank hard (even dangerously). They also practiced polygamy marrying for diplomatic reasons. They spoke a dialect of Greek and relied on natural resources. Macedonia conscripts their soldiers. Philip paved way with army and economy. The king was an autocrat but held an assembly.

What were some of Ptolomey’s early exploits?

He was trusted by Philip and Alexander. After being banished he returned on the good grace of Alex. He wrote in his history to ‘erase’ those that hurt him. He was a infantry man, a royal bodygruard, satrap, then king

What were the features of Alexanders (and Ptolomys) Battles before the conquest of Egypt

Started in troy, then 3 battles against the Persians. Guardians knot and battle in Issus happened. Moved around the Mediterranean to neutralize Persian fleets

What are the features of Alex and Ptolomys activities in Egypt

Treated the Egyptians much better than the Persians by restoring temples, worshipping gods, and fulfilling rituals. Alex finds out Zues is his father and they build Alexandria.

List and briefly describe  features of Alexander's (and Ptolemy's) activities up to the battle at the Persian Gates

Alex won at Guagemela, made Mazeaus head to Babylon while Darius and Bessus fled to the Zagros mountains. They took control of Persepolis and made a new administrative process there.

There are conflicting reports of several  events during  this time period.  Briefly describe each and determine  which  of the accounts is likely to be the most historically accurate

Alex fell into a trap at the gates and then was told about a separate path to Ariobarzanes. Craterus attacked from the front, Philotas attacked from the middle, and Alex from the back. Ptolomy was in a distant position where he took care of stragglers.

What circumstances led to Ptolemy's promotion to  Alexander's personal bodyguard?  What were his responsibilities?

Dimnus plotted to assassinate Alexander, and when reported he commited suicide. Alexander accused Philotas of cpmplicity and executed him for treason. With Alexander’s growing paranoia he promoted Ptolemy to his bodyguard. This led Alex to also promote more of his friends to senior positions

Does it seem likely that Ptolemy embellished his own role in the capture of Bessus?  Are there other examples of this?

This was Ptolemy’s real first command and Alex placed hs trust in him. In His History Ptolemy claims that Spitamenes and Dataphernes intended to hand Bessus over but then changed their mind forcing Ptolemy to surround the village and persuade threaten to harm the residents if they didn’t have over Bessus. However no other ancient writers claim that Ptolemy was forced to take action

What  role did Ptolemy play in the deadly argument  between  Alexander and Cleitus?    If  Ptolemy  omitted any reference to  this in his History, what is the most likely reason

During a drinking party Alexander and Cleitus got in a deadly argument. Cleitus stood up and berated everyone for worshipping Alex by sending him a kiss. Alex then throw an apple at Cleitus and rushed to fight him. Ptolemy then took Cleitus out of the room but Alex grabbed a spear and killed Cleitus on the spot. He likely ommited this because it showed that he didnt properly protect his king

What event demonstrates Alexander's growing confidence in Ptolemy's military abilities

Sogdian rock where Ptolemy and another royal guard where put in charge of the nights oppuration to build a bridge to continue conquering the world. This brought an end to the widespread revolt of Bactria and Sogdiana

What additional  details do we learn about Alexander and Roxane's marriage

She was the 16 year old daughter of Oxyartes of Bactria and they got married in Macedonian fashion. The marriage was pragmatic and militaristic. While they were married Alec got Barsine pregnant and later Roxane gave birth to her son Alex 4. Both Roxane and Alex 4 were killed putting an end to the Argead dynasty ruling.

Do  you agree with Worthington's assertion  that Alexander believed  that  he was a god

Alex tried to bring Proskynesis into his army (worshiping him like a god by blowing him a kiss) So sure he was a god.

Does  it seem likely that Ptolemy embellished his role in uncovering the pages' conspiracy?  Are there other examples of this?

Alex’s life was threatened by royal pages. On page, Eurylochus confessed the plot to Ptolemy who immediately told Alex. Alex accused Callistenes of complicity even though no page gave up his name. Some sources says that Eurylochus told Ptolemy and Leonnatus while Ptolemy insist that the page only told him. He likely embellished this to seem more important

Perdiccas seeks to succeed Alex

After Alex’s death Perdiccas was one of his men that strove to succeed the accomplishments of the king. He took control of Macedonia become Regent

Alexander’s generals ask him to name his successor

On his death bed the king was asked to name his successor. His wife Roxane was pregnant at this time so if it was a son he would be successor. But alex refused saying that the strongest would be his successor

Heracles as Alexanders successor

Heracles was the bastard descendent of Alexander and Barsine. He wanted to be successor but had very little support

Ptolemy proposes the establishment of an advisory body to administer the empire

As Ptolemy took control of Egypt he proposed Macedonia adopt an advisory board. He was rejected but it was later accepted and he implemented it in Egypt.

Arrhidaeus hailed as King Philip 3 by his supporters.

Arrhidaeus became established as King Philip the 3rd and took control of Macedonia from Perdiccas

Ptolemy named satrap of Egypt

Satrap and king are not the same, but Ptolemy took control of Egypt distancing himself from the Macedonian conflicts

The bad-tempered compromise

There was a compromise between Alexander’s successors and who would take control of what areas and people. Eventually they compromised but not without conflict and fighting

Roxane gives birth to a boy

Roxane gives birth to Alexander 4 who was meant to become successor to Alexander the great. Both were outcasted and later executed

Ptolemy’s pragmatic reasons for choosing Egypt

There was already a good relationship between Macedonia and Egypt, plus it was a secured location that was protected on multiple sides by desert. It also was detached from Macedonias internal conflict and the furtherance of war

Ptolemy as an imperialist

Ptolemy has a very imperialistic ruling, often helping extend Ptolemaic control or influence over Cyrenaica, Coele-Syria, and Cyprus, as well as over cities in Anatolia, southern Thrace, the Aegean islands, and Crete.

Why did Ptolemy steal alex’s body. how did he do it? How did he get away with it?

Prolemys preoccupation with Cyrene likely had to do with stealing Alexanders corpse. Tradition says Alex wanted to be buried in Siwah but Ptolemy controled the route to the most important oracle and to Alex’s tomb. Perdiccas wanted to bury Alex at Aegae. Ptolemy stole Alex’s corpse and Atthidaeus put up no fight. Rather then bury the body Ptolemy took it to Memphis then later Alexandria

Why did Perdiccas invade Egypt?  What were some of the major events in his military actions against Ptolemy?  Why was Ptolemy victorious?  How did all of this strengthen Ptolemy's position

Perdiccas invaded to “take Ptolemy down”, he was aided w/ war elephants. His invasion was a disaster and his soldiers started to desert him. He pushed his men to hard and long, and their heavy armer slowed them down and drowned them as they crossed a river. Ptolemy capitalized on Perdiccas failed attempt and made an alliance with Philip 3. He allowed Perdiccas troops food and place in his army if they surrended, or safe passage out of Egypt. Perdiccas was then assassinated

What  features of  the Triparadeisus  were favorable for Ptolemy?  Would Ptolemy have thought he deserved more

Pithon and Errihdaeus surrended the regency to Antipater who was named guardian of Macedonia and greece. Ptolemy was reconfirmed as Satrap. Antigonus hunted down Eumenes and defeated him. Ptolemy introduces aministrative and bureaucratic measures to ccreate harmony between the native people

How did Ptolemy take possession of Syria Palestine? Why? What impact did  this have on the  Jews in Jerusalem?  What impact did  this have on  the growing  Jewish population in Alexandria

Ptolemy encouraged a goodly number of Jews to move to Alexandria and its Jewish quarter became second in population only to Jerusalem itself. This included the kingdom’s security and possessions gaining control of Syria. This meant he could attack Cyrus if needed or move into the eastern Mediterranean

What further details do we derive from reading from reading about Alexander’s burial area (pp.  129-131?)

It took 2 years to build the temple that would carry the Kings body. The entrence was guarded by two lions, Greek, Macedonian and Asian artistry abounded the vehicle. Ptolemy took control of Alexander’s funeral where he swapped Alexanders body with a dummy. Perdiccas did not pursue Ptolemy. Ptolemy buried the king in Memphis before moving him to Alexandria 

What did Ptolemy do with Alexander's body after he returned to Egypt (pp. 131-133)? 

It was a careful burial that in its pursuit destroyed any relationship left with Perdiccas. Ptolemy interred the body in purpose-build in mausoleum. The Sema became the burial place for all Ptolemaic rulers. The soma was an enclosure containing the tombs of kings and that of Alexanders. Ptolemy instituted a cult for Alexander in Alexandria. 

What was the city of Alexandria  like when Ptolemy arrived  as satrap (pp. 133-135)? 

It was the second largest city with 4.5 million people. It was the capital of the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Egypt for thousands of years. It was a diverse population and cultural melting pot. The Nile connected it and it was originally a trading city. 

In addition to the  Library  and  Museum, what  other  major  construction  projects did Ptolemy support (pp. 135-139)? 

Other constructions are an Agora, Gymnasium, an odeum for music, a theatre, sanctuaries for the Greek Gods. Along with houses, shops and colonnades there were public buildings and law courts. The Sema and Soma. The city became a blueprint for town planning and cultural centers. 

What distinctive  activities were associated with the Museum?  What distinctive activities were associated with  the Library (pp. 139-140)? 

The museum focused on being a shrine to the Muses who inspired mans creativity and intellectual thoughts. In essence it was a religious institution devoted to mathematics and science. The library was a center for studying and literature where workers could publish their works. 

Why did Ptolemy expend so much effort  on  the Library  and  the  Museum?  Was he  successful (pp. 140-141)? 

Ptolemy was attracted to Aristotle's school in Athens and its focus on learning and inquires, he was a scholar and interested in writing. So he sponsored scholarly activities in existing institutions/ Ptolemy intended his museum and library to counterbalance Eqyptian and Greek literature and scientific knowledge. They were as political as they were intellectual. 

What features led Worthington to  speak of the Pharos Lighthouse in terms of its "wow factor"? 

It was a military function to signal danger and guide ships in the harbor. The light came from a furnace at night and a mirror during the day. It was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Sostratus from Cnidus was responsible for its construction. 

There are several options as to  when  and by whom Ptolemy  was first called "savior."  Which  of  these options do you think most accurately reflects  historical circumstances? Why did you make this  choice (pp. 168-169)?

The rhodians built a temple to worship Ptolemy. It is suggested that Ptolemy 2 was the first to call his father soter; but it is more likely that it was the Rhodians

The Ptolemies and the Seleucids squabbled for many years over possession of Syria Palestine.  What were some of the major events in  this lengthy conflict  (173-175)?  

Seleucus vastly increased his own territory east all the way to Afghanistan; he also laid the foundation for what wold be the most geographical extensive Hallenistic kingdom. Then the revolt of Cyrenaica ended. Ophellas had been betrayed and executed severing ties with Ptolemy.

What were some of the final military campaigns Ptolemy  launched?  What were  the  results of this  fighting ( (pp. 178-181)?

Philocles (king of Sidon) was allowed the rile as Ptolemy’s vassal becoming one of his top generals and ensured Ptolemy’s dominance of the Aegean and Asia Minor. Ptolemy may have seized Pamphylia. The fifth wat of the successors. Many men deserted Demetrius and joined either Lysimachus or Pyrrhus. Demetrius fled to Cassandreia where he was beaten and drank himself to death. Ptolemy took control of Cyprus and dominated the entire of Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean.

Who  was Ptolemy Ceraunus? What role did he play as a leader of the Egyptian army (pp. 181-183 and elsewhere)?

Ptolemy Ceraunus was Arsinoe 2 brother and had wanted to overtake Thrace as a stepping stone to ruling Greece and Macedonia. His rule was a short one when he was killed in a battle against Seleucus and Lysimachus. (His head was impaled on the top of an enemy spear)

Relations between Ptolemy I and his non-Greek non-Macedonian subjects (pp. 186-192)

Ptolemy formed an advisory council where the philoi (Greek and Macedonia members of the council) advised ptolemy. To get the Egyptians on his side he was helped by their custom of obeying a ruler. He made many of his soldiers the high ranking officers in the army. The official language was Greek, and no one had to learn how to speak Egyptian, but the Egyptians had to learn Greek. The natives were used a light armed infantry. The Egyptian culture was impacted by everyone who had come to live in Egypt

Ptolemaic administration and the economy (pp. 192-197)

Ptolemy 2 introduces new taxes and laws. Egypt was divided into 40 nomes (sectors) and each nome was under the control of a dioketes. Darius divided Egypt into 20 satrapies, each one control by a satrap that reported to the Great King. Ptolemy introduces an official who acted inbetween the Satraps and the Great King. There were taxes (fixed percentages) on different kinds of land. 10% tax on sales, 33 ½ % on vineyards

Religion (pp. 197-200)

Priest were a powerful element in Egyptian society. He kept native religion in tact. Ptolemy and successors were in charge of financing new buildings, especially temples. He moved the capital of Egypt to Alexandria. He foisted a new god (a cult). He guineinly tried to recognize the rights customa, law, and religion of the different people living under him.