Ptolemy (name)

Tetradrachm of Ptolemy II Philadelphus with the Eagle of Zeus. Greek inscription reads ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ lit. '[coin] of Ptolemy'

Ptolemy (Ancient Greek: Πτολεμαῖος, Ptolemaios) is a male given name, derived from Ancient Greek and meaning 'warlike'.[1] It is formed from the Epic Greek πτόλεμος ptolemos meaning 'war'.[2] The name was used throughout the Greek world, but was particularly popular in ancient Macedon and its nobility. During the Hellenistic period, Ptolemy I Soter, a general of Alexander the Great, founded the Ptolemaic dynasty which ruled their Kingdom in Ancient Egypt. All male rulers of the dynasty bore the name 'Ptolemy', the last being Ptolemy XII Auletes, father of Cleopatra. Common variants include Ptolemaeus (Latin), Tolomeo (Italian) and Talmai (Hebrew).

  1. ^ Harper, Douglas. "Ptolemy". Online Etymology Dictionary.
  2. ^ πτόλεμος. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.