Ptolemy III Euergetes

Ptolemy III Euergetes succeeded his father Ptolemy II Philadelphus in 246 BCE. Soon after his accession he intervened in the Seleucid succession crisis following the death of Antiochus II Theos, whose widow Berenice Phernophorus was Ptolemy’s sister.

The killing of Berenice and her son prompted Ptolemy to invade Seleucid territory. His campaign captured major cities and carried Ptolemaic forces deep into the Seleucid realm before political pressures required his return to Egypt. The resulting Third Syrian War temporarily expanded Ptolemaic influence in the eastern Mediterranean.