“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.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781399090254
Publisert
2024
Utgiver
Vendor
Pen & Sword History (ORIM)
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter