Common Savior and Benefactor of All: Popular Conception of Kingship in Ptolemaic Egypt.

The remarkable endurance of the Ptolemaic empire over nearly three centuries prompts inquiry into the dynamics of its governance and the peculiarities of its monarchy. This paper endeavors to shed light on the character of Ptolemaic kingship as perceived by the people of Egypt during the third century BC, a period marked by the empire’s zenith, through an examination of pertinent papyrological, epigraphic, and literary sources. Analysis of terminology within petitions, official documents wherein rural inhabitants sought redress from the king or local authorities for infringements upon their rights or properties, suggests that the kings were primarily seen as universal saviors and benefactors. This perception likely stemmed from the diverse composition of late third-century BC Egyptian society, particularly evident in communities like those within the Arsinoite nome, where inhabitants with various backgrounds lived side by side. The paramount responsibility of the king was seen as ensuring justice for all inhabitants within his realm, regardless of gender, age, occupation, or ethnic origin. Such commitments garnered widespread appreciation, leading to the characterization of the king as the common savior and benefactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]