'Authoritative and meticulous historical account ... a fascinating introduction.' - Patricia Spencer, Egyptian Archaeology, 2001

• List of illustrations, Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgements, List of abbreviations and references, Introduction, PART I: The beginning and the golden age of Ptolemaic rule, 1. Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I Soter (332-282), 2. The empire under the second and third Ptolemies (282-222), 3. Royal ideology and religious policy from Alexander the Great to Ptolemy III, PART II: Change and decline of the Hellenistic state of the Ptolomies, 4. Foreign policy and dynastic history from Ptolemy IV to the 'Day of Eleusis' (221-168), 5. Domestic resistance and the Pharaonic state in Thebes (206-186), 6. The sacred kingship from Ptolemy IV until the early years of Ptolemy VI, PART III: The Ptolemic kingdom under the shadow of Roman power, 7. History of the kingdom and dynasty from the withdrawal of Antiochos IV to the interlude of Ptolemy XI (168-80), 8. The final period: Egypt in the political designs of Roman leaders (80-30), 9. Religious culture and divine kingship from Ptolemy VI to Cleopatra VII, Epilogue, Biographical Supplement, Appendix, Index, Maps