Ptolemaic Empire: Did you mean...?

Limestone head of Ptolemaic King, 2nd to 1st century BCE, Medinet Madi. (Egyptian Museum, Castello Sforzesco, Milan)

This infographic illustrates the royal lineage of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which ruled Egypt during the Hellenistic period (305–30 BCE). Founded by Ptolemy I Soter, a companion of Alexander the Great, the dynasty is notable for elevating royal...

The Parthians ruled from 247 BCE to 224 CE creating a vast empire that stretched from the Mediterranean in the west to India and China in the east. East of the Caspian Sea there emerged from the steppe of Central Asia a nomadic Scythian tribe...

Persia (roughly modern-day Iran) is among the oldest inhabited regions in the world. Archaeological sites in the country have established human habitation dating back 100,000 years to the Paleolithic Age with semi-permanent settlements (most...

Cleopatra Selene II (40 - c. 5 BCE) was a member of the Ptolemaic Dynasty who became the queen of Mauretania upon her marriage to King Juba II of Numidia (48 BCE - 23 CE). Though more obscure than her famous mother, Cleopatra VII (69-30 BCE...

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...

The Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) was the vast political entity established by Seleucus I Nicator ("Victor" or "Unconquered", l. c. 358-281 BCE, r. 305-281 BCE), one of the generals of Alexander the Great who claimed a part of his empire after...

This opulent collection of Ptolemaic jewellery from Egypt probably belonged to a wealthy woman and was made between 225–175 BCE. The various pieces were made out of gold and are inlaid with a variety of precious stones. The collection...

This marble portrait of a diademed man is believed to depict a Ptolemaic king. The piece is made of marble from Asia Minor and was produced in Alexandria, Egypt. The portrait is part of the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum. Digital...

A map showing the known world at the time of the Ptolemaic Empire, ca. 300 BC.