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Arsinoe II Philadelphus
Arsinoe II (l. c. 318/311 - c. 270/268 BCE), daughter of Ptolemy I became one of the most enduring figures of the Lagid or Ptolemaic Dynasty and left an undeniable mark in the historical evidence. She was married three times; first to Alexander...
Definition
Ptolemy II Philadelphus
Ptolemy II Philadelphus ("The Sibling Loving", r. 282-246 BCE) was the second ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. He consolidated the kingdom conquered by his father Ptolemy I and presided over its golden age. Ptolemy II invested heavily in Alexandria...
Definition
Ptolemaic Dynasty
The Ptolemaic dynasty controlled Egypt for almost three centuries (305-30 BCE), eventually falling to the Romans. Oddly, while they ruled Egypt, they never became Egyptian. Instead, they isolated themselves in the capital city of Alexandria...
Definition
Berenice II Euergetis
Berenice II Euergetis (c. 267-221 BCE) was a pre-eminent Hellenistic queen, who ruled together with her husband Ptolemy III (r. 246-221 BCE), when the Ptolemaic kingdom was at the height of its power, dominating most of the eastern Mediterranean...
Definition
Amastris
Amastris (c. 340/39-285 BCE) was a niece of the Persian king Darius III (r. 336-330 BCE) through her father Oxyathres. She was married in succession to Alexander's general Craterus, the tyrant Dionysius of Heraclea, and finally to Lysimachus...
Definition
Lysimachus
Lysimachus (c. 361-281 BCE) was one of Alexander the Great's trusted bodyguards and a member of his Companion Cavalry. Although he obtained Macedonian citizenship, his father was a Thessalian named Agathocles. After Alexander's death in...
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Coin Portrait of Arsinoe II
Gold octadrachm (mnaieion) with the veiled portrait of Arsinoe II on the obverse; the reverse illustrates a double cornucopia (dikeras), bound with a royal fillet (diadēma) and overflowing with grapes, pomegranate and pyramidical cakes; the...
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Bronze Statues of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II
These early 3rd-century BCE bronze statues from Alexandria, Egypt, portray the royal Ptolemaic couple Ptolemy II Philadelphus ("The Sibling-Loving") and Arsinoe II Philadelphus. Ptolemy II is wearing the scalp of an elephant, possibly symbolic...
Lesson
Ptolemaic Dynasty in Ancient Egypt
We have prepared one lesson plan including classroom activities, assignments, homework, and keys as well as: Open questions adaptable for debates, presentations, and essays Recommended resources to provide you and your students with...
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Family Tree of Arsinoe II
Stemma (reduced family tree) of Arsinoe II, the daughter of Ptolemy I and Berenice I, showing her three marriages to Lysimachus, her half-brother Ptolemy Ceraunus, and her full brother Ptolemy II, who was first married to Lysimachus’ daughter...