Ptolemy II Philadelphus

Ptolemy II patronised the Library and Museum of Alexandria, commissioning the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures (Septuagint) and attracting scholars including Callimachus and Theocritus. His sister-wife Arsinoe II was the first Hellenistic queen to wield real political power. He expanded trade into sub-Saharan Africa and Arabia.

• Nationality: EG
• Roles: ruler, patron