{"product_id":"the-ptolemies-rise-of-a-john-d-grainger-9781399090223","title":"The Ptolemies, Rise of a Dynasty: Ptolemaic Egypt 330-246 BC","description":"In this first volume of his trilogy on the Ptolemies, John Grainger explains how Ptolemy I established the dynasty's power in Egypt in the wake of Alexander the Great's death. Egypt had been independent for most of the fourth century BC, but was reconquered by the Persian Empire in the 340s. This is essential background for Ptolemaic history since it meant that Alexander was welcomed as a liberator and, after the tyranny of Kleomenes, so was Ptolemy. This was the essential basis of Ptolemy's power. He conciliated the Egyptians, but reinforced his military strength with Greek settlers, mainly retired or available soldiers. He built the city of Alexandria, but to his own requirements, not those planned by Alexander.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe empire outside Egypt was acquired, perhaps for defense, perhaps by sheer greed. Ptolemy took over Cyrenaica (with difficulty), Cyprus and Syria\/Palestine. These had to be defended against his rivals, hence the development of his navy, and the Syrian Wars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe succession was carefully managed, but was not directly hereditary (Ptolemy II was not the eldest son), and the new king was very different. He fought repeated wars in Syria, and in the Aegean, built up his navy to the greatest seen in the ancient world, and extended his empire into the lands of the Red Sea, Sudan and Ethiopia. He taxed the Egyptians mercilessly to fund all these activities. Yet few of his wars were successful, and he stored up trouble for his successors.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John D. Grainger\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1399090224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781399090223\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Pen and Sword History\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/15\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"John D. Grainger","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46140838314239,"sku":"9781399090223","price":42.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_578b737c-6cb4-4e48-ae62-363b900d1782.jpg?v=1726597179","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-ptolemies-rise-of-a-john-d-grainger-9781399090223","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}