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The Last Dynasty by Toby Wilkinson

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The Last Dynasty

Ancient Egypt From Alexander the Great to Cleopatra

Toby Wilkinson, Julian Elfer, Highbridge Audio

WW Norton · Print & ebook · April 8, 2025

Reading lane: Ancient Egypt

One of the world’s leading Egyptologists tells the rich and fascinating story of ancient Egypt’s last dynasty.

At a Glance

Who It's For

Good for readers who enjoy Ancient EgyptGood for readers interested in ancientGood for fans of History

Book Details

Authors
Toby Wilkinson, Julian Elfer, Highbridge Audio
Publisher
WW Norton
Published
April 8, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
Ancient Egypt · Royal Lives
Reading lane
Ancient Egypt

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • Ancient History

  • Ancient Egypt

  • Middle Eastern History

About This Book

One of the world’s leading Egyptologists tells the rich and fascinating story of ancient Egypt’s last dynasty. Alexander the Great and Cleopatra may be two of the most famous figures from the ancient world, but the Egyptian era bookended by their lives—the Ptolemaic period (305–30 BC)—is little known. In The Last Dynasty , New York Times best-selling author Toby Wilkinson unravels the incredible story of this turbulent era, bringing to life three centuries’ worth of extraord...

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One of the world’s leading Egyptologists tells the rich and fascinating story of ancient Egypt’s last dynasty. Alexander the Great and Cleopatra may be two of the most famous figures from the ancient world, but the Egyptian era bookended by their lives—the Ptolemaic period (305–30 BC)—is little known. In The Last Dynasty , New York Times best-selling author Toby Wilkinson unravels the incredible story of this turbulent era, bringing to life three centuries’ worth of extraordinary moments and charismatic figures. Macedonian in origin and Greek-speaking, the Ptolemies presided over the final flourishing of pharaonic civilization. Wilkinson describes the extraordinary cultural reach displayed at the height of their power: how they founded new cities, including Alexandria, their great seaside residence and commercial capital; mined gold in the furthest reaches of Nubia; built spectacular new temples that are among the foremost architectural wonders of the Nile Valley; and created a dazzling civilization that produced astonishing works of sculpture, architecture, and literature. Stunningly, he also shows how such expansionist ambitions led to the era’s downfall. The Ptolemaic period was a time when ancient Egypt turned its gaze westward—in the process becoming the unwitting handmaid to the inexorable rise of Rome and the consequent loss of Egyptian independence. Featuring a superb blend of first-rate scholarship and evocative narrative history, The Last Dynasty provides fresh insights into this overlooked period of history and its legacy in shaping the world as we know it.

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