Ptolemy Euergetes succeeds his father Ptolemy Philadelphus on the throne of Egypt.

Under his successor, Ptolemy Euergetes, a still more powerful king, the empire reached its culminating glory, and was extended as far as Antioch and Babylon.

The latter was a native of Athens, but was invited by Ptolemy Euergetes to Alexandria, and placed at the head of the library.

Euergetes, to support him in the war which he waged with Seleucus II.

The remissness and indolence of its rulers, accordingly, paralyzed the state in Egypt still more than in Macedonia and in Asia; while on the other hand when wielded by men, like the first Ptolemy and Ptolemy Euergetes, such a state machine proved itself extremely useful.

Euergetes voluntarily restored all his conquests to Seleucus Callinicus except the seaport of Antioch.

Thus he aroused the anger of King Ptolemy Euergetes, the father of Philopator.

Euergetes sent an ambassador to Jerusalem and complained that Onias did not pay the taxes and threatened that if he did not receive them, he would parcel out their land and send soldiers to live upon it.