Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, also known as Ptolemy Physcon, was an important pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. His reign, which extended from 170 to 116 BC. BC, was marked by internal conflicts and power struggles within the royal family, as well as attempts to stabilize and increase the influence of Egypt in the Mediterranean region.
Born into a royal family, Ptolemy VIII was the son of Ptolemy V Epiphanes and Cleopatra I Sira. He acceded to the throne after the death of his brother, Ptolemy VI Philometor. However, the rise to power was not easy, as he had to share the rulership of Egypt with his sister, Cleopatra II, who was also his wife. Relations between the two rulers were strained and eventually erupted into open conflict, known as the Caesarion War.
Ptolemy VIII is also famous for his diplomatic and military actions. He often sought to expand Egypt's influence and counter the rise of Rome, which was becoming a dominant force in the region. During his reign, he managed to establish alliances with neighboring powers, such as Syria and Macedonia, in order to strengthen his geopolitical position.
Despite internal struggles and external conflicts, Ptolemy VIII also contributed to the cultural and scientific prosperity of Egypt. Under his rule, Alexandria remained a center of learning and knowledge, housing the famous Library of Alexandria and the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The arts and sciences continued to flourish, and many Greek and Egyptian scholars of the time enjoyed his support and protection.
Ultimately, the reign of Ptolemy VIII left a mixed legacy. On the one hand, he waged wars to protect and expand the influence of Egypt, and on the other hand, he supported the cultural and scientific achievements of his kingdom. However, divisions within his own family and the resulting power struggles weakened Egypt and ultimately contributed to its decline as a regional power.
📋 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 | ||