Ptolemy III Euergetes I

King 246-221 BC.

    The son of *Ptolemy II, Ptolemy III married Berenice II, the daughter of the Ptolemaic governor of Cyrene, Ptolemy Magas. It is recorded that they were great benefactors to temples and cults in Egypt, particularly those of the sacred Apis and Mnevis bulls, and this is reflected in the king's name—Euergetes—which means 'benefactor'.

    Ptolemy III achieved some military success with his conquest of the Seleucid empire in Asia Minor and his advance on Babylonia, but he was forced to return to Egypt because of native unrest. Consequently Seleucus repossessed much of his lost territory.

    In Egypt Ptolemy III added to the Temple of Karnak, and began the Temple of Horus at Edfu in 237 BC. This is one of the finest examples of those native temples that the *Ptolemies either substantially reconstructed or built as a new monument. The building programme at Edfu was interrupted because of the native rebellions in the Theban district, and the temple was only completed in 57 BC.

BIBL. Bevan, E. A History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. London: 1927; Skeat, T. C. The reigns of the Ptolemies. Munich: 1969.

Biographical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt by Rosalie and Antony E. David

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(c. 284–222 BC)

   Son of Ptolemy II and his first wife, Arsinoe I. He succeeded to the throne in 246 BC and continued to expand Egypt’s control in Syria and Asia Minor. He also acquired Cyrene through marriage with its heiress Berenice II. He died between October and December 222 BC and was succeeded by his son, Ptolemy IV.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier