Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Alexandreia. Ptolemy III Euergetes 246-221 BC.
Bronze Æ

38 mm, 42,93 g

Diademed head of Zeus Ammon to right, with ram's horn in his hair and over the diadem / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY, Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt, head right, filleted cornucopia over his shoulder; between eagle's legs, E.

Very Fine

SNG Copenhagen 220;. Svoronos 1166.

Ptolemy III Euergetes, who ruled Egypt from 246 BC to 221 BC, was the third king of the Ptolemaic dynasty and one of its most successful and powerful rulers. His reign marked the height of Ptolemaic power and influence in the Hellenistic world. Ptolemy III, whose epithet "Euergetes" means "Benefactor," came to the throne after the death of his father, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Early in his reign, he launched the Third Syrian War (also known as the Laodicean War) against the Seleucid Empire to avenge the murder of his sister Berenice Syra and her child, who had been killed in a dynastic struggle. Ptolemy III's campaign was highly successful; he managed to capture territories as far as Babylon and even reached the eastern borders of the Seleucid Empire. However, he eventually withdrew his forces, likely due to domestic issues or logistical challenges, but his gains solidified Egypt's status as a dominant power in the eastern Mediterranean. Ptolemy III is also noted for his contributions to the cultural and religious life of Egypt. He continued the patronage of the arts and sciences that his predecessors had established, further enhancing the Library of Alexandria and the associated Museum. His reign saw the continuation of the blending of Greek and Egyptian cultures, which had become a hallmark of Ptolemaic rule. One of Ptolemy III's most famous acts was the return of Egyptian religious artifacts that had been taken by the Persian king Cambyses during his conquest of Egypt nearly 300 years earlier. This act earned him immense popularity among his Egyptian subjects, and he was venerated for restoring the religious heritage of Egypt. Ptolemy III also made significant advances in domestic policy, focusing on improving the infrastructure of his kingdom, including enhancing the irrigation systems that were crucial for agriculture in Egypt. His reign was marked by economic prosperity, largely due to the expansion of trade networks and the stability he maintained in the region. Ptolemy III Euergetes was succeeded by his son, Ptolemy IV Philopator, after his death in 222 BC. His reign is often viewed as a golden age for the Ptolemaic Kingdom, characterized by military success, cultural achievements, and a strong, prosperous state.