{"product_id":"the-last-dynasty-ancient-egypt-from-alexander-the-great-to-cleopatra","title":"The Last Dynasty","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlexander 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 \u003cem\u003eThe Last Dynasty\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMacedonian 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a superb blend of first-rate scholarship and evocative narrative history, \u003cem\u003eThe Last Dynasty\u003c\/em\u003e provides fresh insights into this overlooked period of history and its legacy in shaping the world as we know it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"W. W. Norton \u0026 Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51661562708258,"sku":"9781324052036","price":37.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/8637\/3154\/files\/imageloader_b22c61d3-6076-4068-8921-9c2ba6b916ec.jpg?v=1779454054","url":"https:\/\/godmothers.com\/products\/the-last-dynasty-ancient-egypt-from-alexander-the-great-to-cleopatra","provider":"Godmothers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}