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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Alegandron, post: 2207503, member: 51347&quot;]Forgive me if I make an historical mistake, but I am pulling from my rusty memory as I write this:&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I have always enjoyed Alexander III (the Great) of Makedonia.&nbsp; I have always been impressed with one of the smartest, and loyalest of his Generals: Ptolemy.&nbsp; He grew up with Alexander (although he was approx 10 years older).&nbsp; He served with Alexander from the very first campaigns against the Persians, including River Granicus, Issus, Siege of Tyre, Gaugamela (INCREDIBLE battle!), Bactria and Sogdiana Campaigns, River Hydespes against King Porus in India... and MANY smaller, but not insignificant battles.&nbsp; He was one of seven of Alexander&#039;s bodyguards, making him as close to Alexander as anyone could get, both in trust and camaraderie.&nbsp;&nbsp; Additionally, when Alexander journeyed to the Oasis of Siwa, Ptolemy was one of the intimate few that went with him to receive the Oracle.&nbsp; However, you always had a feeling as you studied Ptolemy that he was one of the shrewder of Alexander&#039;s Generals.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>When Alexander succumbed to an untimely death at 33 years, in June-323 BCE at Babylon, the new Makedonian/Persian Empire was without a true heir to wield the necessary power to rule its vastness.&nbsp; Upon his death, when asked who was to inherit his Empire, it is believed, fabled, written, whatever - that Alexander stated &quot;TOI KRATISTOI&quot; or &quot;To the Strongest&quot;.&nbsp; (OR, some say... &quot;To Craterus&quot; one of his Generals...)&nbsp; However, Alexander&#039;s Signet ring passed to Perdiccas, General of the Companion Cavalry, and originally General for Phillip II (Alexander&#039;s father).&nbsp; Perdiccas was assassinated in 321 BCE by Seleucus and his band... The Empire subsequently, over time, was broken up into the various &quot;Greek Kingdoms and Empires&quot; with lots of cool coinage and intriguing stories until the Romans (Republican, that is), began to clean up their acts!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>After Alexander&#039;s death, Ptolemy took a small army of approx 2500 men and went to take Ægypt.&nbsp; He was also smart enough to grab the Ægyptian treasury and idols that the Persians had taken to Babylon when they conquered Ægypt.&nbsp; Upon his arrival in Ægypt, he was loved and revered as he brought their stolen heritage (and money!) back to them.&nbsp; Ptolemy was also shrewd enough to &quot;hi-jack&quot; Alexander&#039;s funeral procession, and diverted his body in the honey-filled sarcophagus to Memphis in Ægypt.&nbsp; This further validated Ptolemy&#039;s Rule over Ægypt and helped earn him the title Ptolemy I Soter (Savior).</p><p><br /></p><p>The above crude synopsis from memory lead me to capture my 1st Ancient Ægyptian coin purchase.&nbsp; &#039;Taint the purdiest of coins, but I love it!</p><p><br /></p><p>I submit for your comments and critique; AND an invitation to POST your Ptolemies and descendants!</p><p><br /></p><p>Ptolemy I</p><p>signed by the Designer / Artist with a Delta behind his ear (curl of his hair).</p><p>305-285 BCE</p><p>AR Tetradrachm</p><p>OBV:&nbsp; Ptolemy I facing r, Delta behind ear, punch marks</p><p>REV:&nbsp; Standing Eagle l, punch marks.</p><p>23.6mm x 4.5mm (thick)</p><p>13.8g</p><p>[ATTACH=full]430862[/ATTACH]</p><p>[ATTACH=full]430863[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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