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PTOLEMAIC KINGS OF EGYPT
Alexander – Son of Ammon
Alexander entered Egypt at the end of 332 BCE, where he was regarded as a liberator from Persian occupation. To legitimize his claim to power and be recognized as the heir to a long line of pharaohs, Alexander offered sacrifices to the gods in Memphis and traveled to the famous oracle of Amun-Ra in the Siwa Oasis in the Libyan desert.
The Siwa Oasis was considered an exceptionally sacred place, far removed from the main trade routes. Alexander’s journey to Siwa held symbolic significance, demonstrating his ability to overcome any challenge. Accounts of what the oracle specifically said to Alexander remain unclear. Plutarch writes that the oracle’s priests greeted Alexander as the "son of the god," which Alexander interpreted as confirmation of his divinity.
Amun was venerated in Egypt as the sun god and father of the pharaohs, identified by the Greeks with Zeus. From that moment on, Alexander often referred to Zeus-Ammon as his true father. This declaration had not only religious but also political significance. The title "Son of Ammon" allowed Alexander to legitimize his rule over Egypt and other conquered territories, emphasizing his divine lineage and bridging Egyptian and Greek traditions. After his journey to Siwa, Alexander was crowned as Pharaoh of Egypt in the Temple of Ptah in Memphis.
After his death, he was depicted on coins with the Horns of Ammon, lending his image a universal and divine character.
The Funeral of Alexander the Great
After Alexander the Great's death in June 323 BCE in Babylon, his body became the center of attention not only for its symbolic importance but also for its political implications. Rulers and commanders, known as the Diadochi, saw the possession of Alexander's body as an opportunity to legitimize their authority as his successors.
Initially, plans were made to bury Alexander in Aegae, the traditional resting place of Macedonian kings. His body was embalmed, placed in a golden sarcophagus, and prepared for transport on a richly adorned funeral carriage resembling a temple on wheels. The funeral procession set out westward from Babylon, but Ptolemy I Soter, then the satrap of Egypt, intercepted it in Syria.
Ptolemy brought the body to Memphis and later to Alexandria, where it was entombed in a specially constructed mausoleum, known as the Sema or Soma. This act carried significant propagandistic weight, allowing Ptolemy to portray himself as the true heir and guardian of Alexander's legacy. Alexander's tomb became a center of ruler worship, visited by great figures of history, including Julius Caesar and Augustus.
Ptolemy I Soter – Companion and Strategist
Ptolemy I Soter was one of Alexander the Great's closest companions. According to some sources, he might even have been Alexander’s half-brother – speculated to be the son of Philip II, which would have strengthened his ties to the Argead dynasty. Regardless of his actual lineage, Ptolemy was one of the seven companions - hetairoi, of Alexander and participated in most of his campaigns, beginning with the expedition to Asia in 334 BCE. His loyalty and strategic skills earned Alexander’s trust, leading to key assignments such as overseeing logistics and commanding troops in challenging operations. Ptolemy distinguished himself during the arduous crossing of the Gedrosian Desert and the siege of Aornus. The trust Alexander placed in Ptolemy laid the foundation for the latter’s later successes as Egypt’s satrap.
After Alexander's death in 323 BCE, Ptolemy was appointed satrap of Egypt, where he effectively consolidated power and gained the support of the local population. He implemented efficient administrative reforms, strengthened local structures, and initiated economic development projects, including irrigation systems that increased agricultural productivity in the Nile Valley. His pragmatism and organizational skills established Egypt as an independent center of power in the Hellenistic world.
Ptolemy as King of Egypt
In 305 BCE, Ptolemy officially declared himself king of Egypt, founding the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years. His decision to claim independence was a response to the chaos among the Diadochi – the rival generals and successors of Alexander. As king, Ptolemy not only continued administrative and economic reforms but also developed the cult of Alexander the Great to legitimize his rule. His reign marked the beginning of the Hellenistic period in Egypt, blending Greek and Egyptian influences.
Ptolemy’s Tetradrachm with Alexander and Athena Alkidemos
One of the most iconic coins issued by Ptolemy was a tetradrachm depicting Alexander the Great. It is arguably one of the most emblematic coins of antiquity. On the obverse, Alexander is shown deified, wearing a diadem and the skin of an elephant. It is unclear whether the coin was struck during Ptolemy's tenure as satrap or after he became the independent ruler of Egypt.
The elephant scalp on Alexander’s head has three potential interpretations. It could symbolize the conquest of Egypt from the Persians, as the elephant was often associated with Africa in ancient iconography. Alternatively, it might reference the Indian campaigns and the farthest reaches of Alexander’s conquests in the Hindu Kush. Lastly, the elephant skin could allude to Alexander as a new Heracles, the hero who overcame mythical beasts.
On the reverse, the coin features Athena Alkidemos, the armored goddess in a defensive stance, ready for battle. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, symbolized protection and military success, reflecting Ptolemy's role as a defender of Egypt. To the right, an eagle perched on a thunderbolt is depicted – a symbol that became synonymous with coins minted by the Ptolemaic dynasty.
The inscription "ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ" (“of Alexander”) emphasized the continuity of Alexander's legacy. This coin served both as a tool of propaganda and as evidence of Ptolemy's role as the custodian of Alexander's cult. A final note about the markings on the reverse – they are, in fact, ancient "graffiti" written in Aramaic, adding another layer of historical intrigue to this remarkable artifact.
Denomination: Tetradrachm, Ag
Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander right, wearing horn of Ammon, elephant's skin headdress and aegis
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos walking right, brandishing spear in right hand, holding shield on left arm; HA monogram in circle in inner left field, ΔI monogram and eagle on thunderbolt right, AΛEΞANΔΡOY
Mint: Alexandria (struck in the name of Alexander III of Macedon), 310-305 B.C.
Weight: 15,57 g
Diameter: 28mm
Provenance: Marciniak, ex Auktionshaus H. D. Rauch, Auktion 111, 03.12.2020, 558
Riferimento : 06.1 Svoronos 142
Collezione : ALEXANDER THE GREAT and HIS SUCCESSORS