Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 1.djvu/591

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NORTH-EAST AFRICA.

APPENDIX m. 487 XXX. Dynatty: BKBBxmm. M. and B. 378. Nectanebo I. Defeated the Persians and ruled for eighteen years in peace. Taciios, who, aided by the Simrtans under AgesilauM, rfi>eUed the Persian invasion conducted by Artuxt-rxes Muemon. Nectanebo II., last native king of Eg^'pt, overthrown by Artaxerxes Ochus, who restored the Persian rule, reducing the country to a Persian satrapy. 8ince then Egypt never recovered hor political independence, and has been governed by foreigners or foreign dynasties. XXXI. Dynasty: Pebsiax. M. and B. 340. Artaxerxes Ochus. Darius III. ^Codomanus), overthrown by Alexander the Great XXXII. Dynasty : Macedoxiax. 332. Alexaxder, founded Alexandria. XXXIII. Dynasty : Greek or Ptolemaic. 305. Ptolemy Lagus or Soteu, natural son of Pliilip of Mocedon. and one of the best generals of Alexander, soon after whose death he founded the Lagide or Greek dynasty, which comprised the whole of Egj'pt, Libya, and part of Arabia. To these possessions after the death of Perdiccas were added Coele-Syria, I'hoonicia, Judsea, and the island of Cyprus. He made Alexandria the capital of his empire, and here he built the famous Pharos or lighthouse, one of the " seven wonders " of the ancient world. He was a grout patron of letters and founder of tlie academy and museum of Alexandria. Ptolemy Philadelphus, 286, son and successor of Ptolemy Soter, sumamed Philadel- phus, or " brother- loving," in irony from the circumstance that he put to death two of his brothers; developed commercial enterprise, encouraged literature, and caused the Hebrew Bible to be translated into Greek in the still extant version known as the Septuagint. Plotemy Eueroetes I., 247, son of Ptolemy Philadolphus, who in a war declared against Seleucus Callinicus, overran Syria and Cilicia. But his victorious career was arrested by a revolt of his Egyptian subjects, which, however, was soon suppressed. The title of Euergt-tcs, or " Benefactor," was earned by his prudent and beneticent administration. Ptolbut Philopator, 222, ironically named the •' father-loving," for his cruelty in putting to death his father, as well as his motlier, brother, sister, and uncle. He also at first jn^rsecuted the Jews, exposing tliem, as is said, to the fury of his elephants. But when these animals instead of do-