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Message:: [QUOTE="ValiantKnight, post: 2732201, member: 44210"]I've finally gotten a hold of one of these huge Ptolemaic toe-crushers, courtesy of JAZ Numismatics. As usual, this was one of many types of coins on my "list" but wasn't something I was seriously looking for... until a few weeks ago. I initially found a different Ptolemy IV octobol that I wanted at first, but out of random curiosity I decided to look at John's stock for any other coins I might have been interested in. As my luck would have it, he had a slightly heavier and better-looking octobol for almost the same price as the first coin so I decided to go for that one instead. I think my previous largest coin in terms of weight is my Roman Republic Janus As, which is less than half that of my new octobol (71.64 grams). This purchase also marks my return into the realm of Ptolemaic coins. Ptolemy IV, Ptolemaic KingdomÆ octobolObv: Head of Zeus-Ammon right.Rev: Eagle standing left on thunderbolt, cornucopia to left.Mint: AlexandriaSize: 40 mm, 71.64 gr.Ref: SNG Milano 216 (click photo to enlarge)[ATTACH=full]621605[/ATTACH] Ptolemy IV Philopator (in Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ, "Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr"; his Egyptian name: Iwaennetjerwy-menkhwy Setepptah Userkare Sekhemankhamun, "Heir of the [two] Beneficent Gods, Chosen of Ptah, Powerful is the Soul of Re, Living Image of Amun") was the fourth ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt. The Ptolemies took control of Egypt in the wake of the breakup of Alexander's Empire, when Ptolemy I Soter was declared as Pharaoh in 305 BC. Almost a century later in 221 BC, Ptolemy IV succeeded Ptolemy III, his father, as Pharaoh. [ATTACH=full]621599[/ATTACH] Ptolemy IV was a debauched and self-indulgent individual, who let himself be taken advantage of by his favorites in the government, especially by a fellow Greek named Sosibius. It might have been Sosibius that helped to turn Ptolemy against his mother and brother, both of whom the Pharaoh had killed in his first year. Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire, taking advantage of Ptolemy and his ineffectual government, began attacking Egyptian possessions in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia. So successful was Antiochus that Egypt proper was vulnerable to invasion. But he was stalled for some time by Ptolemy's negotiators, who managed a four-month truce with the Seleucid king. Ptolemy used this time to raise and equip an army of mercenaries and native Egyptians, which helped him win a decisive battle against the Seleucid forces at Raphia in the summer of 217 BC. The Pharaoh spent little time in re-establishing control in the region in order to quickly return to his lavish lifestyle in Egypt. [ATTACH=full]621600[/ATTACH] His arming of native Egyptians came back to haunt Ptolemy. In general the Egyptians resented this foreign Greek rule over their land, especially since Ptolemaic rule largely only benefited the Greeks in the kingdom. The Ptolemaic kings did not even bother to learn the Egyptian language (until Cleopatra VII). An insurrection was started by the Egyptians that eventually resulted in a rebel kingdom in Upper Egypt that was headed by native Pharaohs. Ptolemy's prosecution of hostilities against these rebels contributed to the economic decline of his kingdom. [ATTACH=full]621601[/ATTACH] Ptolemy is also known for building a massive galley known as the Tessarakonteres (the "forty-rowed"), which was the largest ship built in antiquity and also the largest human-powered vessel ever. However, it was not meant to be operational but rather just for display. [ATTACH=full]621602[/ATTACH] Ptolemy IV died in 204 BC, and was succeeded by (surprise, surprise) Ptolemy V, his son. Post your Ptolemaic coins or anything else that is relevant![/QUOTE]

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