Ptolemy Soter was a lifelong friend of Alexander the Great and one of his most trusted Generals. He accompanied Alexander on all his campaigns and was one of his seven bodyguards. After the death of Alexander, he became Satrap of Egypt, and eventually founded the long lasting Ptolemy dynasty in Egypt. He was a major figure in all the , and he was the only one who kept his originally assigned territory intact.
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After the battle of Issus Ptolemy made no further expeditions into Asia Minor, and eventually lost his possessions in Greece. He did however, reconquer Cyprus in 295 B.C. He spent most of the rest of his reign organizing and building up a well-ordered administration. He was a patron of the arts and letters, and founder of the famous library of Alexandria, and made Alexander a center of learning unparalleled in the Hellenic World. He himself wrote a history of Alexander's campaigns. In 285 B.C. he abdicated in favour of Ptolemy II., one of his sons by Berenice, his second wife. His older son, Ptolemy Ceranus, whose mother had been repudiated, fled to the court of Lysimachus after being bypassed for the throne. Ptolemy I. Soter died in 283 B.C. at the age of 84.
Raised in Macedonia at the court of Alexander the Great. | |
Accompanied Alexander on invasion of Persia, as private bodyguard. | |
Campaigned with Alexander in India. | |
At death of Alexander, was made Satrap of Egypt. | |
Perdiccas invades Egypt, but is killed by his own attendants. | |
Occupied Syria and Cyprus. | |
In union with Lysimachus, Cassander and Seleucus, declares war on Antigonus. | |
Victory of Antigonus at Battle of Gaza. | |
Last Heirs of Alexander are murdered. Remaining Diodochi declare themselves kings. | |
Final defeat of Antigonus at the battle of Ipsus. | |
Establishes library at Alexandria. | |
Abdicates thrown in favor of Ptolemy II.—son of his second wife. | |
Dies at age 81. |
Deterioration of Character in | Alexander the Great by Jacob Abbott |
Ptolemies in | Cleopatra by Jacob Abbott |
Ptolemy in | Famous Men of Greece by John H. Haaren and A. B. Poland |
Alexander the Great in | The Story of the Greek People by Eva March Tappan |
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![]() Ptolemy Philadelphus give Liberty to the Jews, Coypel in Famous Men of Greece |
Greatest general of ancient times. Conquered Persian Empire with 40,000 soldiers. | |
One of Philip's most trusted generals. Left in charge of Macedonia during Alexander's conquests. | |
Took over the empire of Alexander at his death, but couldn't keep it. | |
Allied with Antipater and Ptolemy I in early Diadochi Wars. Won control of Asia Minor and Syria. | |
Son of a general of Alexander. Founded Seleucid Dynasty, in Syria and Central Asia. | |
Berenice | Second wife of Ptolemy I. He married her after repudiating his first wife, Euridyce. |
Ptolemy II Philadelphus | Second son of Ptolemy I. Ruled Egypt 281-246 B.C. |
Ptolemy Ceranus | Eldest son of Ptolemy, by Euridyce. Passed over for the Egyptian throne. |