In the year 283 BCE, Ptolemy I Soter died in the capital city of Alexandria which he helped evolve from a coastal settlement to a grand center of learning and trade. After Ptolemy's death, he was officially deified by his son. His god like status is why most people now refer to him as a pharaoh. In honour of this "ascension", he was also given the title Theos Soter, or God and Saviour.
Ptolemy's Impact
Over the course of Ptolemy's life, he had a grand impact, one which lasts even to this day. Some of his most notable achievements and lasting impressions are;
- A Man of Learning: Ptolemy was know for his interest in knowledge, as evident by his work to transform Alexandria into a center of learning. One of the ways in which he did this was by the construction of the Musaeum of Alexandria, a famous institution of research and invention where some of the most famous thinkers of the ancient world went to study. Inside this institute was also the Royal Library of Alexandria. Although the exact number is unknown, it is estimated to have contained from 40 thousand books and scrolls all the way up to 400 thousand.
- Pharos: The Greek word for lighthouse was most famously linked with the great lighthouse of Alexandria. Ptolemy I commissioned the construction of this massive lighthouse and his son Ptolemy II saw its completion. This lighthouse was, if reports are accurate, the tallest man made structure of its time only beaten only by the great pyramids of Giza. Reportedly 350 feet tall , this gigantic feat was said to burn night and day adding to the magnificence of Alexandria, even considered one of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
- Soter: Ptolemy had a very successful military career, from serving, to leading, to defending Egypt. Ptolemy was an intelligent, cunning and strategic man and this gave him an edge on the battlefield. He was instrumental in the downfall of Antigonus and in concluding the successor war. He was even given the title of Soter, Saviour, for his aid in defeating Antigonus' forces led by his son Demetrius on the island of Rhodes.
- Religion: During Ptolemy's reign over Egypt, he did a lot in terms of religion. Not only did he restore the temples of Egypt previously destroyed by the Persians, he also created his own religion in the hopes of uniting Greek and Egyptian influences. While not overly successful, the Cult of Serapis as the religion was known, was still a major move by Ptolemy. Not directly related, but religious in nature, was Ptolemy's deification. A very notable feat indeed was his ascension to god hood. This is a testament to the impact he had on Egypt and its people.
- Dynasty: The Ptolemaic dynasty was the last ruling dynasty of Egypt and its prosperity is all thanks to Ptolemy I. Ptolemy through diplomatic skills and the push for development within the kingdom set up the path to a dynasty that would rule for hundreds of years. His work ensured the safe succession of his son and for future generations. His method of rule ensured the trust of the Egyptian people, by listening to what they needed and delivering it. The trust built between Ptolemy and the Egyptians would form the solid base for his heir and future heirs to build upon and continue improving the glory of the kingdom the Ptolemy had toiled away at.
Ptolemaic Dynasty
For nearly 300 years, the Ptolemaic dynasty were the rulers of Egypt, right up until the fall of Egypt to the Romans in 30 BCE. This dynasty was an overall successful dynasty, one that helped Egypt flourish and inspired many advancements and inventions. To maintain their claim to the throne, members of the Ptolemaic dynasty often married their siblings just as the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom had done. In all, there was approximately 18 rulers of Egypt from this dynasty, starting with Ptolemy I, and ending with Cleopatra VII. Each of the rulers all maintained a balance of both Greek and Egyptian cultures, fusing them and incorporating them into one an other. While the dynasty flourished and was relatively stable over the course of the 270 years or so, the dynasty eventually came to an end. Near the end of the line of rulers, Egypt began to falter and revolt as there were a string of leaders who the people deemed incompetent. In the end, it was the Romans who would prove to be the downfall of this powerful dynasty. After the death of Cleopatra VII, the Romans took control of Egypt, making it one of their Provinces.
Even though the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty was over, the impact they left behind is still studied today. From the knowledge they passed on, to the temples and art that they inspired, to the uniqueness of the culture at the time due to the blending of Greek and Egyptian, their legacy continued on. Inspiring some of the greatest people of the ancient world, spreading a diverse culture, and creating amazing art, without the Ptolemaic dynasty, the world today would be undoubtedly lesser.