The Ptolemaic dynasty was a Macedonian royal family that ruled Ptolemaic Egypt from 323 to 30 BCE. It was founded by Ptolemy I, a general and successor of Alexander the Great. They built Alexandria, including the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Great Library of Alexandria. The dynasty ended when Rome conquered Egypt in the reign of Cleopatra VII.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 366 BCE - 282 BCELife of Ptolemy I Soter.
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305 BCE - 285 BCEReign of Ptolemy I in Egypt, who initiated the Great Library.
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305 BCE - 30 BCEThe Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt.
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300 BCEPtolemy I founds the Museum of Alexandria.
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282 BCE - 246 BCEReign of Ptolemy II in Egypt, development of Library at Alexandria.
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247 BCEThe Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) is completed.
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246 BCE - 221 BCEReign of Ptolemy III in Egypt.
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221 BCE - 205 BCEReign of Ptolemy IV in Egypt.
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205 BCE - 180 BCEReign of Ptolemy V in Egypt.
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180 BCE - 145 BCEReign of Ptolemy VI in Egypt.
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c. 169 BCEInvasion of Egypt by Antiochus IV.
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116 BCE - 80 CEReign of Ptolemy IX in Egypt.
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80 BCE - 51 BCEReign of Ptolemy XII in Egypt.
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80 BCEPtolemy XII becomes king of Egypt.
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79 BCEPtolemy XII marries Cleopatra V Tryphaena.
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c. 69 BCE - 12 Aug 30 BCELife of Cleopatra VII of Egypt.
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c. 62 BCE - 47 BCELife of Ptolemy XIII Theos Philopater.
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59 BCEPtolemy XII of Egypt is formally named an ally of the Roman Republic.
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58 BCEBerenike IV usurps the throne of Ptolemy XII.
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51 BCEDeath of Cleopatra's father, Ptolemy XII Auletes.
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51 BCECleopatra accepts her brother Ptolemy XIII as co-ruler.
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49 BCESole rule of Ptolemy XIII, recognized by both Gaius Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator, and his opponent, Pompey the Great.
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47 BCECleopatra VII is sole ruler of Egypt; she presents herself as the goddess Isis.
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Jan 47 BCEPtolemy XIII drowns in the Nile fleeing Caesar.
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40 BCE - c. 5 BCELife of Cleopatra Selene II.
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c. 10 BCEPtolemy of Mauretania is born to Juba II and Cleopatra Selene II.
