Lecture 19: Egyptian Resistance to Greek Domination

AHST 222 / 322 Lecture 19:

Egyptian Resistance to Greek Domnination

Modern Discussions:

Cambridge Ancient History, vols 7-8.
E. Bevan, The House of Ptolemy
G. Hölbl, A History of the Ptolemaic Empire
J.J. Collins, "The Sibyl and the Potter: Political Propaganda in Ptolemaic Egypt", in L. Bormann, K.D. Tredici and A. Standhartinger, edd., Religious Propaganda and Missionary Competition in the New Testament World, Leiden, 1994, pp. 57-69.
S.K. Eddy, The King is Dead
Peter Green, Alexander to Actium
A.B. Lloyd, "Nationalist Propaganda in Ptolemaic Egypt"
B.C. McGing, "Revolt Egyptian Style"
A. Momigliano, Alien Wisdom
F.E. Peters, The Harvest of Hellenism
T. Reekmans, "Economic and Social Repercussions of the Ptolemaic copper inflation", Chronique d'Egypte, vol. 48, 1949, pp. 324-342

Year	Events	Documents
c. 245	Ptolemy III takes Syrian Antioch; forced to return home.	Justin 27.1.8, Jerome's commentary on Daniel.
223	Accession of Antiochus III
222	Accession of Ptolemy IV Philopator
c. 220	Silver shortages in Egypt
218	Ptolemaic governor of Coele-Syria goes over to Antiochus.	Polybius 5.40.1-3
217	Seleucid invasion; Battle of Raphia	Polybius
		Memphis Decree (Austin² Doc. 276); Polybius 5.87, 14.12 (Austin² Doc. 277).
"late in Ptolemy's reign"	Guerilla risings in Egypt	Polybius 14.12 (Austin² Doc. 277b)
211	Ptolemies accept taxes in copper.
207	Upper Egypt in revolt; loss of Thebes and Edfu.
205-4	Death of Ptolemy IV; accession of Ptolemy V
198	Battle of Panium; Seleucids regain control of Caele-Syria.
197	Ptolemaic forces besiege and capture Lycopolis	Polybius 22.171f., Rosetta Stone (Austin² Doc. 284, 283).
196	Amnesty offered to native troops	Rosetta Stone (Austin² Doc. 283).
180	Death of Ptolemy V; accession of Ptolemy VI
186	Further amnesty offered.	P. Köln VII
185	Surrender of Egyptian rebels at Sais.	Polybius 22.171f. (Austin² Doc. 284).
170/69	Egypt divided by dynastic conflict. Invasion of Antiochus IV.
169/68	Antiochus IV's second invasion. Roman intervention.
Early 160s: c. 165?	Revolt of Dionysius Petosarapis; (separately?) siege and capture of Panopolis. Attacks on temples and officialdom generally.	Diodorus 31.15, 17 (Austin² Doc. 286).
163	Reconciliation of Ptolemies VI and VIII; further amnesty offered.

Ancient Sources:

The Demotic Chronicle
The Potter's Oracle (see Tutorial Documents)
P. Tebt. 703 line 216
Various other Papyri
Polybius, variously
Appian, Syrian Wars, variously

People, places, terminology etc.

Ptolemy IV

Antiochus III

Sosibius, eminence grise

Agathocles

Theodotus

June 22, 217 BC: Battle of Rapphia

The Cyclades

Coele-Syria

anachoresis

Asylia / Asylum

The Rosetta Stone (Ptolemy V, 196 B.C., Austin p. 375, lines 18ff.)