Egypt & the NileAfricaAsiaMajor empire
Ptolemaic Kingdom
The Ptolemaic Kingdom was a Hellenistic Greek-ruled state in Egypt founded by Ptolemy I after the death of Alexander the Great. Its capital Alexandria became a leading centre of learning with its famous Library. It ended with the death of Cleopatra VII and Roman annexation in 30 BCE.
Key facts
| Dates | 305 – 30 BCE |
|---|---|
| Region | Egypt & the Nile |
| Continent | Africa, Asia |
| Capital | Alexandria |
| Founder | Ptolemy I Soter |
| Religion(s) | Ancient Egyptian religion, Ancient Greek religion |
| Peak extent | ≈ 1 million km² (c. 301 BCE) – source |
Before & after
Preceded by
Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great
Followed by
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.