The first pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a.k.a. Ptolemaios Soter
| Precedessor Successor | |
|---|---|
| Reign of Ptolemy I | |
| v. Beckerath | 304–282 |
| Shaw | 305–285 |
| Dodson | 310–282 |
| Redford | 305–282 |
When Alexander the Great died in Babylon in 323 BC, the scramble for the remains of his empire began. One of his seven bodyguards, Ptolemaios, anglicised as Ptolemy, secured the position of governor of Egypt, which he held for 15 years, culminating in his coronation as Pharaoh in January 304 BC. To avoid the influence of the priests and officials in Memphis, he moved the capital to Alexandria, a better strategic location on the Mediterranean coast.
Although of Greek descent, the kings of the Ptolemaic kingdom adopted the regalia and gods of the pharaohs, restoring old temples and building new ones dedicated to the Egyptian gods, and also founded the Great Library of Alexandria. Ptolemy I earned the nickname Soter, which means saviour in Greek, largely due to his help in lifting Demetrius' siege of Rhodes in 305/304 BC.
Although of Greek descent, the kings of the Ptolemaic kingdom adopted the regalia and gods of the pharaohs, restoring old temples and building new ones dedicated to the Egyptian gods, and also founded the Great Library of Alexandria. Ptolemy I earned the nickname Soter, which means saviour in Greek, largely due to his help in lifting Demetrius' siege of Rhodes in 305/304 BC.
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Wer pehti nesu qeny The Dual King Setep en Ra mery Amun Son of Ra Ptolemys
Horus name
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
Horus name
Wer pehti nesu qeny
wr-pḥti nsw-ḳni
Great of strength and brave king
wr:r-F9:F9-sw-A43E-q*nw:n:a
Naville, Griffith, The City of Onias and the mound of the Jew, 62
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of strength and brave king
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:H
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Great of strength and brave king
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:H
Nebty name
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Nebty name
Ity em sekhem heqa tjel
iṯi-m-sḫm ḥḳꜢ-ṯl
Who has seized with (his own) power, the ruler of Sile
V15:D40-U31\R90-sxm-U31\R90-q-HqA-d:l:D40
Naville, Griffith, The City of Onias and the mound of the Jew, 62
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has seized with (his own) power, the ruler of Sile
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:N
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Who has seized with (his own) power, the ruler of Sile
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:N
Throne names
Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.
Throne name
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C2A-C12A-stp:n-N36
CG 22180
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T1
Throne name variant
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C12A\-N36:n:stp-C2A
Daressy, À travers les koms du Delta, ASAE 12 (1912): 184
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T2
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T2
Throne name variant
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C2A\-C12A-s-t:p-stp:N36
Gauthier, Livre des Rois d'Égypte , IV, 217 (IX)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T3
Birth names
Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.
Birth name
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:t-wA-l:M-i-i-s
Passim
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E1
Birth name variant
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:d-A-l:M-i-i-s
Gauthier, Livre des Rois d'Égypte , IV, 217 (IX)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E3
Birth name variant
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:d-w-l:M-i-i-s
Stela fragment (Berlin ÄM 14400)
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , II, 22-23
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E2
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , II, 22-23
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E2
Birth name variant
Ptolemes
ptlmis
Ptolemaios
p:t-wA-l:M:z
Daressy, À travers les koms du Delta, ASAE 12 (1912): 184
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 20 (1915): 217–221
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 234–235
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 178
PLEASE NOTE
There might be errors on this page.
Make sure you use the correct source!
Yes, you would be surprised...
There might be errors on this page.
Make sure you use the correct source!
Yes, you would be surprised...
https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/pharaoh/Ptolemy-I/