Philip III Arrhidaeus

Philip III Arrhidaeus was chosen as joint king in 323 BC after the sudden death of his half-brother, Alexander the Great. He ruled Egypt nominal from afar, reigning from 323 BC to 317 BC, with dates secure within a single year. Philip shared the Macedonian throne with his infant nephew Alexander IV, while the satrap Ptolemy, son of Lagus, exercised actual administrative authority in Egypt from Memphis.

Although Philip never visited the Nile Valley, Egyptian priests and builders recognized him as legitimate pharaoh. In his name, a magnificent pink granite bark shrine was constructed at Karnak to replace an earlier ruined structure within the precinct of Amun-Ra. His reign ended violently in 317 BC when he was assassinated in Macedonia.

Scholars know Philip's reign through classical historical texts, royal decrees, and hieroglyphic inscriptions, most notably his granite bark sanctuary at Karnak.

Monuments

• Karnak granitic bark shrine

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.