Egypt under the Ptolemies

Alexander the great had built up an empire stretching from the borders of Illyria to the Punjab and from the northern edge of the Iranian plateau to the borders of Ethiopia. So firmly had he established his control over this vast area that even his unexpected death in June 323¹ did not lead to any revolts, except among his Greek subjects.

But although his name continued to keep the conquered races in subjection long after his death, he left no heir to hold his empire together. Fear and suspicion had caused him to exterminate nearly all his male relatives, and at his death only an imbecile son of his father Philip II was left. The Macedonian army assembled at Babylon, probably not fully aware of his condition, insisted on electing him King, and he duly became Philip III.

Not long afterwards, Alexander’s Iranian wife bore him a posthumous son, who, as Alexander IV, was associated with Philip in the kingship. Needless to say, this did nothing to strengthen the monarchy, which never recovered its authority.