You are here:About>Education>Ancient / Classical History> People and Places> People> Alexander the Great> Alexander People> Ptolemy Soter
About.comAncient / Classical History
Ptolemy Soter - Ptolemy I
Ptolemy Soter - Ptolemy I
Public Domain
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg

"Ptolemy Soter"

From N.S. Gill,
Your Guide to Ancient / Classical History.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Definition: Ptolemy Soter (372-283)
Alexander the Great appointed Ptolemy governor of Egypt.

The large empire Alexander the Great had conquered was too big for one successor. One general was entrusted with Macedonia; another Thrace; and a third Syria. One of Alexander's favorite generals, Ptolemy Soter, was made governor of Egypt. The esteem was mutual as can be seen in Ptolemy Soter's having Alexander's body brought for burial to Egypt, where it was permanently interred at the city Alexander had founded and named after himself -- Alexandria. It is also possible to look at this gesture as politically motivated. The same can be said of Ptolemy Soter's marriage to the daughter of the most recent Egyptian pharaoh, Nectanebo II.

Alexandria
Ptolemy Soter established his capital at Alexandria, founded a museum, and started collecting books for a library which, under his successors, became the center for scientific research and the best collection of Greek and Roman papyri in the world. He also initiated what was to become one of the wonders of the ancient world, the lighthouse off the coast of Alexandria on the island of Pharos.

Ptolemy Soter's rule of Egypt lasted from 332-283 B.C. The son of Ptolemy Soter, Ptolemy II Philadelphos, co-ruled for the last two years of the reign of Ptolemy Soter and then succeeded him. Cleopatra was a descendant of the Macedonian general Ptolemy Soter.

Source: Haaren's Famous Men of Greece

Examples: Ptolemy Soter and his successor helped make Alexandria the center of Hellenistic culture.

Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | wxyz
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.