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Bronze Statues of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II
These early 3rd-century BCE bronze statues from Alexandria, Egypt, portray the royal Ptolemaic couple Ptolemy II Philadelphus ("The Sibling-Loving") and Arsinoe II Philadelphus. Ptolemy II is wearing the scalp of an elephant, possibly symbolic...

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Ptolemy II (Artistic Facial Reconstruction)
A photorealistic representation of Ptolemy II of Egypt (284-246 BCE) as he may have appeared early in his reign. This reconstruction is based on archaeological evidence including busts, coinage, and descriptions of Ptolemy II in historical...

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Stater of Ptolemy Keraunos
A gold stater minted by King Ptolemy Keraunos of Macedon (r. 281 - 279 BCE). The coin was minted c. 280 - 279 BCE in Lysimachia, Thrace. It is a rare minting from Ptolemy Keraunos' brief reign as King of Macedon, and even briefer period of...

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Gold Octadrachm of Ptolemy II & Arsinoe II
This massive gold coin weighing approximately 27.7-8 grams was known as an octadrachm (equivalent in worth to 8 drachmae). Under the Ptolemies, mints in cities like Alexandria and Ptolemais produced ever larger denominations in gold, silver...

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Ptolemy VI Making Offerings to the Gods, Kom Ombo
A relief from the temple at Kom Ombo in Egypt depicting Ptolemy VI Philometor (r. 180-145 BCE) making offerings to the gods. Ptolemy can be seen at the far right, holding offerings.

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Juba II & Ptolemy of Mauretania
Coin from the co-regency of Juba II (r. 29 BCE - 23 CE) and Ptolemy of Mauretania (c. 10 BCE - c. 40 CE). Left; Juba II, Right; Ptolemy of Mauretania. Silver Denarius, minted c. 20-24 CE. Minted in Caesarea, Mauretania (near modern day...

Definition
Eratosthenes
Eratosthenes (l. c. 276-195 BCE) was a Greek astronomer, geographer, mathematician, and poet best known for being the first to calculate the circumference of the earth and its axial tilt. He is also recognized for his mathematical innovation...

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Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II
Shrine of Ptolemy VIII & Cleopatra II, originally from the Temple of Isis, Philae, found reused in a Coptic church, Ptolemaic Dynasty, reign of Ptolemy VIII, c. 170-116 BCE. The shrine held a cult statue of the goddess Isis, who is mentioned...

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Ptolemy's Map of the World
The map of the world created by the astronomer and geographer Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100 - c. 170 CE). From a 15th-century book by Leinhart Holle. Made by the German cartographer Donnus Nicholas Germanus.

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Bronze Bust of Ptolemy II Philadelphus
This bronze bust is usually attributed to the Ptolemaic king Ptolemy II Philadelphus (r. 283-246 BCE) although alternative identifications of the bust have been made. It was discovered in the Villa of the Papyri, Herculaneum in 1754 CE and...