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In Autumn of 332 Alexander invaded Egypt, then under the control of Persia. He was greeted as a liberator by the people of Egypt, and never had to fight a battle in Egypt during the conquest.
Alexander later met with the oracle of Amon at Siwa Oasis, an was then stated that he was the son of Amon. Photo Source: Huffingtonpost.co.uk -
By the time of Alexander's departure to Phoenicia, command of the military was divided between Balacrus and Peucestas. The head of the civil administration, or the Satrap, was given to Cleomenes of Naukratis. Alexander made sure to respect the Egyptian religion. Photo Source: Al-Bawaba News
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Upon the death of Alexander the Great in Babylon, the empire was divided amongst its generals. Perdiccas was able to unite the divided army to an agreement that he would be regent to both King Phillip (Arridaeus) and the unborn son of Alexander. Photo Source: Quora.com
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The Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt from 323 to 30 BCE. Although they were rulers of Egypt they kept greek traditions and bloodlines up to their last ruler, Cleopatra.
They built greek cities throughout Egypt, which lead to Greco-Egyptian influences throughout the kingdom. -
Named himself King of Egypt, and created the Ptolemaic Dynasty that would last nearly three hundred years. He was offered the position of regent but declined.
He instead secured his position in Egypt through war and expansion into outlying areas.
When he Retired in favor of his son, he left behind a kingdom that was both economically and administrativly cound. -
Perdiccas had sent for the body of Alexander to be returned to Macedonia, but the satrap of Egypt Ptolemy had intercepted it in Damascus and sent it to Alexandria. Perdiccas, seeing this as a provocation, decides to march for Egypt
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Perdiccas arrived in Egypt with an army but was unable to cross the Nile river. Through his multiple attempts at a crossing, two thousand of his troops were dead. Demoralized and defeated three of his most trusted officers Peithon, Antigenes, and Seleucus went into his tent and killed him. Photo Source: http://ancient-medieval-macedonian-history.blogspot.com
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Becoming a writer later in life, mainly of the campaigns of Alexander, Ptolemy founded the Library of Alexandria as a grand library to hold all the knowledge within the kingdom and beyond. Although built by him, it was a concept first thought of by Alexander the Great, but he did not live to create such a library. Photo Source:ancient-origins.net
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Ptolemy II ruled much like his father did, called the last of the great Ptolemics, he went to war with a rebel city in Egypt and continued to expand the territory under Egyptian control. He would also oversee the enlargement of the Library of Alexandria.
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After the death of Ptolemy II the position of the Pharaohs grew weaker. Infighting within palace walls, loss of valuable land, and internal insurrection in Thebes destabilized the Kingdom.
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Cleopatra assumes the role of co-monarch in 51 BCE after the death of her father. Within three years she will be ousted from her position by her co-monarch, and brother, Ptolemy XIII. Photo Source: Women's History - About.com
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Fleeing to Syria, Cleopatra amassed an army and marched on Pelusium. She returned to the throne after a tactical error by her younger brother who had beheaded Pompey, angering Caesar. Cleopatra took advantage of Caesars dislike of her brother, becoming romantically involved with Caesar. Caesar sided with Cleopatra in the battle for the Egyptian throne, and also bore a son that she claims was his. Photo Source: tanker.com
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Having her position secured in Egypt, Cleopatra Went to Rome to visit Caesar with their son. She leaves Rome in 44 BCE, after the assassination of Rome. As a result of the assassination Cleopatra named Caesarion her co-regent and successor, as well as align with Mark Antony, Octavian, and other Caesarians. Photo Source: hollywoodrevue.wordpress
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Mark Antony calls on Cleopatra to come to Tarus to test her allegiance. Cleopatra, having come in the robes of ISIS, greatly impressed Mark Antony by her intellect and charm. They too became romantically involved, going on to bear three children together Photo Source: fanpop.com
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Mark Antony returns with Cleopatra to Alexandria with pomp and circumstance. Sitting on two golden thrones, surrounded by their children, the couple began to become a threat to the legitimacy of Octavian. Photo Source: historicalpeopleinthemovies
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Mark Antony and Cleopatra combine their navies to face off that of Octavian in Actium. The battle is a disaster for the couple, forcing them to retreat to Alexandria. The Egyptian military was never be able to recover to fight Octavian again, or even defend Egypt. Photo Source: hoocher.com
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With the death of Mark Antony, and the imminent fall of the Egyptian kingdom to the forces of Octavian, Cleopatra VII Philopator commits suicide on the 12th of August. Her death ended not only her nearly three hundred year family dynasty but the independence of her nation for centuries. Photo Source: en.m.wikipedia.org
