Ptolemaic Egypt existed between 323 and 30 BCE when Egypt was ruled by the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty. During the Ptolemaic period, Egyptian society changed as Greek immigrants introduced a new language, religious pantheon, and way of life to Egypt. The Ptolemaic capital Alexandria became the premier city of the Hellenistic world, known for its Great Library and the Pharos lighthouse.
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Definition
Timeline
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323 BCE - 30 BCEEgyptian art fuses with Greek styles during the Ptolemaic Dynasty.
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323 BCE - 145 BCEThe Library of Alexandria flourishes under the patronage of the early Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt.
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305 BCE - 30 BCEThe Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt.
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274 BCE - 271 BCEThe first Syrian war, marking the beginning of the contest between the Ptolemies and the Seleucids for Phoenicia and Coele-Syria.
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247 BCEThe Lighthouse of Alexandria (Pharos) is completed.
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c. 205 BCE - c. 185 BCEUpper Egypt and Lower Nubia secede from the Ptolemaic Kingdom with the support of Meroe. Two Egyptians, Horwennefer and his successor Ankhwennefer are declared as Pharaoh in the now independent territories.
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c. 169 BCEInvasion of Egypt by Antiochus IV.
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145 BCE - 48 BCELibrary of Alexandria declines through lack of patronage by Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt.
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30 BCEDeath of Cleopatra VII, end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt.
