REVIEW BY SARAH GRIFFITHS
This is the second of the author’s planned trilogy on the last of Egypt’s dynasties (The Ptolemies: Rise of a Dynasty, the first of the series, was reviewed in AE 138). John D Grainger is a specialist in Classical and Hellenistic Greek history rather than Egyptology, but writes here from the Egyptian point of view, and is an expert guide to a period where Egyptian history becomes part of a wider Mediterranean narrative, particularly with regard to the deeply entwined relationships between Egypt, Syria, and Rome.
This volume explores the most exciting period of Ptolemaic history, from the accession of Ptolemy III (the ‘apogee’ of the dynasty) to the death of Ptolemy VI, during which time there were five wars with Seleucid Syria (including a defeat for Antiochos III and the invasion of Egypt by Antiochos IV), royal murders and assassinations (in Egypt and Syria), rebellions, rival southern pharaohs (Horwennefer and Ankhwennefer), and the loss of virtually all of Egypt’s overseas territories except for Cyprus and Cyrenaica.
The Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties began to unravel spectacularly, as succession was disputed, family members eliminated, courtiers seized power, and royal brothers bickered and battled. Their troubles were compounded by the growing power of Rome and its interference in eastern affairs which, while keeping Philip V of Macedon from attacking Egypt, formed a menacing shadow hanging over the Egyptian and Seleucid empires.
