How large was the Ptolemaic army?

The army of Ptolemy I was originally composed of 4,000 soldiers left in Egypt by Alexander, along with thousands of mercenaries, however, by the late 3rd century BCE, the Ptolemaic army might have numbered between 50,000-55,000 men in peacetime and 89,000-94,000 men in wartime.

What was the ethnic composition of the Ptolemaic army?

The exact ethnic composition of the Ptolemaic army is unknown. Most recruits in the early Ptolemaic army were from Macedon and mainland Greece. Significant numbers of Thracians, Carians, Persians, and Jews served as well, particularly in the cavalry, and Egyptians were another major component.

Ptolemaic Army Timeline

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Definition

The army of Ptolemaic Egypt was a well-organized fighting force trained in Hellenistic warfare. The Ptolemaic dynasty used their considerable wealth to maintain a large standing army of professional soldiers. Some troops were paid in money, and others were given farmland in exchange for service. In wartime, military expenditure could represent more than three-quarters of national spending.

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