Ptolemy VIII Physcon

Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II, nicknamed Physcon, ruled Egypt intermittently between 170 BC and 116 BC, with dates uncertain by about a year. He first rose to power during the invasion of Antiochus IV, governing jointly with his brother Ptolemy VI and sister Cleopatra II. After years of civil conflict and a period of exile ruling Cyrene, he seized the Egyptian throne permanently following his brother's death in 145 BC, later ruling jointly with both Cleopatra II and her daughter Cleopatra III.

Ptolemy VIII's reign was marked by ruthless domestic purges in Alexandria, including the expulsion of Greek scholars from the Museum. Conversely, he heavily patronised the traditional Egyptian temples to secure native support. He erected the entrance pylon at the Temple of Horus at Edfu, added the sanctuary at Kom Ombo, and built a small Hathor temple at Philae. He was buried in the lost royal necropolis of Alexandria. His reign is extensively documented through temple reliefs, decrees, papyri, and classical literature.

Monuments

• Kom Ombo Temple sanctuary
• Edfu Temple pylon
• Philae Hathor temple

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