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9781526664679

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A scintillating new history of the dynasty ruling the most prosperous third of the ancient world for almost three centuries, extinguished only by the rise of Rome. Intensively researched in every possible source, the author’s fast-paced narrative covers everything from rival personalities, war and grand strategy to religion, the arts, science, agriculture and cultural diversity. A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling -- John Guy, author of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS Superb and gripping. Wilkinson combines authoritative scholarship with lucid narrative and colourful character studies to tell the bloodspattered, flamboyant and outrageous history of the Macedonian conquerors Alexander the Great, the Cleopatras and Ptolemies who ruled Egypt as the last great dynasty of the Ancient World in fascinating and compelling style -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of THE WORLD: A FAMILY HISTORY OF HUMANITY Toby Wilkinson uses the latest archaeological discoveries and the evidence of indigenous cultures to fill in the blanks, constructing a richer portrait of a period of “Ptolemaic brilliance”. Written in vivid and lucid prose, The Last Dynasty brings to life “A period that shaped not only Cleopatra’s life and reign, but the world of ideas we still inhabit -- Ruby Eastwood * Irish Times * Toby Wilkinson … is known for his popular treatments of a range of Pharaonic subjects. Here he turns his attention to the last dynasty, proving especially adept at connecting the Ptolemies with Egypt’s ancient traditions -- Campbell Price * History Today * Fascinating... [Toby] has done an exemplary job of creating a compelling history, combining the political, military, social and cultural -- Jane Draycott * TLS *

A scintillating new history of the dynasty ruling the most prosperous third of the ancient world for almost three centuries, extinguished only by the rise of Rome. Intensively researched in every possible source, the author’s fast-paced narrative covers everything from rival personalities, war and grand strategy to religion, the arts, science, agriculture and cultural diversity. A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling -- John Guy, author of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS Superb and gripping. Wilkinson combines authoritative scholarship with lucid narrative and colourful character studies to tell the bloodspattered, flamboyant and outrageous history of the Macedonian conquerors Alexander the Great, the Cleopatras and Ptolemies who ruled Egypt as the last great dynasty of the Ancient World in fascinating and compelling style -- Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of THE WORLD: A FAMILY HISTORY OF HUMANITY Toby Wilkinson uses the latest archaeological discoveries and the evidence of indigenous cultures to fill in the blanks, constructing a richer portrait of a period of “Ptolemaic brilliance”. Written in vivid and lucid prose, The Last Dynasty brings to life “A period that shaped not only Cleopatra’s life and reign, but the world of ideas we still inhabit -- Ruby Eastwood * Irish Times * Toby Wilkinson … is known for his popular treatments of a range of Pharaonic subjects. Here he turns his attention to the last dynasty, proving especially adept at connecting the Ptolemies with Egypt’s ancient traditions -- Campbell Price * History Today * Fascinating... [Toby] has done an exemplary job of creating a compelling history, combining the political, military, social and cultural -- Jane Draycott * TLS * A bold exploration of the Greek colonisation of Egypt… In this splendid, well-written and thoroughly engaging book, Wilkinson provides us with the key we need to interpret the pharaonic world through the eyes of the Ptolemaic kings and queens -- Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones * BBC History * A compelling and accessible account of the enigmatic Ptolemaic dynasty ... Often sidelined by both classicists and Egyptologists, the Ptolemies emerge here in vivid detail. Wilkinson masterfully bridges the Greek-speaking Hellenistic world and traditional pharaonic Egypt, defly handling the diverse sources needed to interpret this cultural fusion. He highlights both the dynasty’s glories – Alexandria’s splendour, intellectual achievements, monumental temples – and its flaws, including xenophobia, military blunders and poor leadership ... This richly written book is a vital contribution to Hellenistic scholarship and a superb guide to understanding the Ptolemies on their own, uniquely Egyptian terms * History Extra *

Author Information

Toby Wilkinson is an Egyptologist and the prizewinning author of fifteen books on the history and culture of the Nile Valley, ancient and modern. Lauded by the Daily Telegraph as ‘the foremost Egyptologist of his time’, his works include The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt, which won the Hessell-Tiltman Prize. He studied Egyptology at the University of Cambridge and is currently a Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

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