A scintillating new history of the dynasty ruling the most prosperous third of the ancient world for almost three centuries, extinguished only by the rise of Rome. Intensively researched in every possible source, the author's fast-paced narrative covers everything from rival personalities, war and grand strategy to religion, the arts, science, agriculture and cultural diversity. A truly splendid read, richly detailed and powered by an unfailing gift for storytelling

John Guy, author of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS

Superb and gripping. Wilkinson combines authoritative scholarship with lucid narrative and colourful character studies to tell the bloodspattered, flamboyant and outrageous history of the Macedonian conquerors Alexander the Great, the Cleopatras and Ptolemies who ruled Egypt as the last great dynasty of the Ancient World in fascinating and compelling style

Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of THE WORLD: A FAMILY HISTORY OF HUMANITY

Toby Wilkinson uses the latest archaeological discoveries and the evidence of indigenous cultures to fill in the blanks, constructing a richer portrait of a period of “Ptolemaic brilliance”. Written in vivid and lucid prose, The Last Dynasty brings to life “A period that shaped not only Cleopatra's life and reign, but the world of ideas we still inhabit

Ruby Eastwood, Irish Times

Toby Wilkinson … is known for his popular treatments of a range of Pharaonic subjects. Here he turns his attention to the last dynasty, proving especially adept at connecting the Ptolemies with Egypt's ancient traditions

Campbell Price, History Today

Fascinating... [Toby] has done an exemplary job of creating a compelling history, combining the political, military, social and cultural

Jane Draycott, TLS

A bold exploration of the Greek colonisation of Egypt… In this splendid, well-written and thoroughly engaging book, Wilkinson provides us with the key we need to interpret the pharaonic world through the eyes of the Ptolemaic kings and queens

Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, BBC History