The Great Revolt of Ptolemy IV

The reign of Ptolemy IV and his ministers was a disastrous harbinger for the violent court politics that would have ravaged the dynasty down to its final days. A province-wide rebellion had spread throughout the South that threatened to topple the already vulnerable kingdom. Much of Upper Egypt was torn away, and insurgent warfare would plague the land for nearly 20 years before it was finally put down at great cost. In comparison to the later Maccabean Revolt that affected Saluka Judea, our knowledge on the Great Revolt is extremely poor. Polybius only alludes to it in the briefest of descriptions, considering it unfit for his histories, and not worth serious attention.

Transcript

Play full episode

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!

Get the app