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by Diego Perez on December 29th, 2005

Diego Perez

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Was the Ptolemy family Greek or Egyptian?

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  • by Archaeologist on January 14th, 2006

    Archaeologist

    The Ptolemys were Greek, as were their descendents. Ptolemy the Great did take Egyptian wives, but the family remained Greek in its outlook and behavior, even creating some very interesting fusions of Greek and Egyptian art.

    Cleopatra, incidentally, was ethnically Greek. She had no African or Semetic ancestry as far as we can tell. She was born in Egypt, though we aren't sure of the precise location.

    The confusion arises from Ptolemy's attempt to identify his Dynasty with that of the ancient pharoahs. Ptolemy promoted an idea that Helios, the Greek Sun God, was Amun-Re, the chief Egyptian diety, and ingratiated himself with the priests of Amun-Re by donating a considerable sum of money and manpower to assist in the restoration of tombs and temples, as well as the building of new structures.

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