ABSTRACT
The periods of crisis experienced by the Ptolemaic kingdom from the end of the third century to the 160s resulted in changes to the composition of the monarchy. The governance of Egypt in co-operation with certain priesthoods led increasingly to a balanced collaboration and a fruitful exchange between the dynasty and the Egyptian elite. From the time of Ptolemy VIII onwards, Egyptians were able to rise to the highest offices in the administration. With the greater participation of the native Egyptians in the government of Egypt, the kings gained increasing support in their attempts to portray themselves as solicitous and beneficent rulers by means of philanthropa-decrees. 1 In pursuing this objective, the Ptolemaic rulers sought to bring their regime in line with the ancient Egyptian royal ideology of the king. The arrangement between dynasty and priesthoods also led to the last allocations of property to the temples under Ptolemy VI. 2
