Ptolemeic Dynasty

Considered a Greek state, Egypt was ruled by the last pharonic dynasty, the Ptolemys. In order to be recognized as kings by native Egyptians, the Greek Ptolemys adopted the name of “pharaoh” and portrayed themselves in traditional Egyptian dress. They ruled from Alexandria, the new capital established by Alexander the Great in the Nile Delta.

Over time, they began to meld their Greek beliefs with those of the Egyptians. In Alexandria, they primarily worshiped Serapis, who was a combination of Osiris, the Apis bull, and the god Ptah. Both Serapis and his consort, Isis, were often portrayed in a more Hellenistic (Greek) style. Many of the temples the Ptolemys were used to worship their particular gods were repurposed from previous periods of Egyptian history.

This era of Greco-Egyptian culture ended with Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest of Egypt. While people continued to live and thrive in Egypt, the nearly 3500 year-old age of pharaonic Egypt came to a close.