About Ptolemy
Lived 400 BC – 334 BC. Ptolemy was a military personnel.
Ptolemy was one of the selected officers of Alexander the Great, called somatophylaces. He was killed at the siege of Halicarnassus, 334 BC, commanding two taxeis of Hypaspists, those of Adaeus and Timander.
W Heckel believes that this Ptolemy was not one of the Seven Bodyguards of Alexander, but was the commander of the agema, the Royal Hypaspists who acted as the King's bodyguard in battle. He was succeeded by Admetus, who was killed at Tyre in 332 BC. Hephaestion was probably appointed to succeed Admetus.
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Important facts
People in Ptolemy's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ptolemy's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ptolemy?
Selected officer of Alexander the Great
When was Ptolemy born?
Ptolemy was born in 400 BC.
When did Ptolemy die?
Ptolemy died in 334 BC in Halicarnassus.
What was Ptolemy's occupation?
Ptolemy was a military personnel.
What nationality was Ptolemy?
Ptolemy's recorded nationality: Macedonia.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Ptolemy (somatophylax)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ptolemy. https://biography.guide/ptolemy-military-personnel/
MLA: "Ptolemy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ptolemy-military-personnel/.
Chicago: "Ptolemy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ptolemy-military-personnel/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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