Ptolemy of Megalopolis (Πτολεμαῖος ὁ Μεγαλοπολίτης)

Life Ptolemy of Megalopolis was a Greek historian from Arcadia, active during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd or 2nd century BCE [1]. No details of his personal life or education survive.

Works His sole known work is On Philopator (Περὶ Φιλοπάτορος), a history concerning Ptolemy IV Philopator of Egypt (r. 221–204 BCE). The text is lost, preserved only in fragments cited by later authors [1][2].

Significance Ptolemy is a minor historian whose significance derives from his work being used as a source for the reign of Ptolemy IV. His fragments, cited by compilers like Athenaeus, represent one of many lost Hellenistic histories utilized by later tradition [1][2].

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics (Oxford University Press): https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-5362 2. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aentry%3Dptolemaeus-harpers