Royal women, succession to the throne and conflicts in lagid Egypt

Abstract

This article looks at the political roles played by certain women in the Lagid kingdom. The study aims to show their actions during successions to the throne, and the conflicts that arose as a result, which had an impact on the security of the kingdom. The information obtained from ancient sources on the Ptolemaic kingdom has been cross-checked with the facts on the subject and subjected to historical criticism, all in a comparative approach. This enabled us to realise that in the evolution of Ptolemaic Egypt, women from the royal family became involved in succession issues, creating crises and conflicts, both internal and external. From the advent of Ptolemy I's first successors in 282 BC, until the end of the kingdom in 30 BC, women were involved in the takeover of power by their descendants or brothers. Conspiracies and intrigues plagued the Lagid dynasty, giving rise to more serious security problems. Indeed, internal crises, the series of Syrian wars, the numerous alliances signed with other Hellenistic kingdoms, etc., all took place at the pace of interference from these royal women.