Egypt: 2. Ptolemaic

Abstract

Ptolemaic Egypt is the name given to the so‐called Hellenistic period of Egyptian history, when Ptolemy, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, and his dynasty ruled over Egypt and some neighboring territories from 323 to 30 bce . The Ptolemies and parts of the Egyptian priestly elite formed alliances, as can be seen on the Memphis decree engraved on the Rosetta stone. The kings adapted administrative and legal structures so that their institutions were neither Greek nor Egyptian but a hybrid. Yet dynastic conflicts precipitated Roman intervention. Octavian, the future Augustus, defeated Cleopatra VII and her ally Mark Antony at Actium in 31 bce and included Egypt as a province of the Roman Empire the following year.