Calcite
286-246 BCE
Egypt
The British Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient Egypt, Ptolemaic (Greek-ruled) Egypt
Theme
Two Great Centres of Learning
Subtheme
Great Library of Alexandria in Roman Egypt
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Egypt
Measurements
74.5 x 45.7 x 31 cm
Accession Number
EA941
Description
Ptolemy II was Greek king of Egypt (reigned 286-246 BCE). While his coins show him as a Greek ruler, in this statue he is a traditional Egyptian pharaoh, in order to assert his authority over native subjects. He was in correspondence with the Indian Emperor Ashoka, who referred to him as Tulumaya.
It was under Ptolemy II that the museum and library of Alexandria first flourished. He issued a decree requiring all ships docking in the harbor of Alexandria to surrender any books or scrolls they carried. The originals were kept for the library’s collection, while copies were returned to their owners.
