Ptolemy II Philadelphus, second ruler of the dynasty Lagid , ruled Egypt between 283 and 246 BC. Son of Ptolemy I Sôter and Bérénice I, he succeeded his father to the throne of Egypt and was an enlightened monarch who contributed to the cultural and economic development of his kingdom.
During his reign, Ptolemy II greatly favored the arts and sciences, making the city of Alexandria an important cultural center of the Mediterranean. It was under his aegis that the Library of Alexandria was built, which became one of the largest and most famous libraries of antiquity. Many scholars and scholars were invited to come and study and work in this institution, such as Callimachus, Eratosthenes or Manetho.
In terms of foreign policy, Ptolemy II adopted a strategy of alliances to extend his influence and secure the borders of his kingdom. In particular, he allied himself with several Greek cities and with the Seleucid kingdom through royal marriages. One of the most significant unions of this period was that between Ptolemy II himself and Arsinoe II, his younger sister, who thus became queen consort of Egypt. This practice of marriage between brothers and sisters, common among the Ptolemies, aimed to consolidate the royal line and preserve the purity of their blood.
In addition to his diplomatic actions, Ptolemy II also worked for the economic development of Egypt. He promoted trade in the Mediterranean through a policy of opening Egyptian ports, thus encouraging trade between Egypt and the other Hellenistic kingdoms. In addition, he supported the exploitation of the natural resources of his territory, notably the gold mines of the Eastern Desert and the granite and limestone quarries of the Nile Valley.
With regard to religion, Ptolemy II perpetuated the Egyptian tradition by maintaining the worship of local gods. However, he also established a dynastic cult in honor of his family, likening the Ptolemies to deities. This strengthened the legitimacy of the dynasty and allowed Ptolemy II to consolidate his power over Egypt.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||