Founding of the Ptolemaic Dynasty
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The
Ptolemaic Dynasty was a remarkably dysfunctional family filled with deception
and betrayal. It was founded by Ptolemy I Soter, a Greek who was related to
Alexander the Great. In addition to stabilizing a shaky Egyptian economy,
Ptolemy I was known for his crucial decision to relocate the capital of Egypt to Alexandria
because of its strategic advantage on the Mediterranean
Sea and its freedom from religious pressures from ministers. Alexandria quickly became both influenced and occupied by
Greeks, resulting in the primary language of Egypt to quickly mature into Greek;
the only member of the Ptolemaic Dynasty to actually learn Egyptian was
Cleopatra VII. After Ptolemy I built a massive library in Alexandria, the city was known for centuries as a center of Hellenistic culture and philosophy. Ptolemy also constructed an impressive lighthouse, Pharos, with Zeus's figure and a huge beacon crowning the structure. After Ptolemy I died in 282 B.C., his son Ptolemy II completed Pharos, and it is now considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Ptolemaic Empire
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An image of the Ptolemaic Empire