WI/AHC Pyrrhus King of Egypt

I remember we had a thread on this around a year or so ago. Pyrrhus was married to Ptolemy's step-daughter after a short exile in Egypt. Ptolemy also considered him like a son.

As we all know, Pyrrhus was the ultimate adventurer and also has had ASB levels of bad luck OTL. So how can we get him on the throne of Egypt, whether by force or through cunning diplomacy/marriage or both? I remember Velasco through it out there on the last thread that a way to get it might be to get him to marry an actual daughter of Ptolemy instead of a step-daughter though would Ptolemy actually go that far? He can also ally with Ptolemy Keraunos (thunderbolt), as he did OTL when he left for his Italian expedition, but of course Ptolemy died fighting off the Celtic invasion, but that doesn't have to happen here...

Assuming he does get the throne by some form or another and holds onto it, what effect does this have longterm/short-term? He planned to have Sicily and Epirus each inherited by one of his sons, so I imagine something similar here where one son gets Epirus and the other his Egyptian holdings could be done? The survival of Ptolemy Keraunos requires Antigonos Gonatas to be defeated permanently, which will be easily done if Ptolemy fights off the Celts, and the effects of that-no Antigonid Macedonian kingdom-could be huge as well.

There's also the problem with Seleucid-Pyrrhic (as opposed to Ptolemaic) relations-maybe Pyrrhus can have his bid sponsored by Antiochus I if Ptolemy Philadelphus really becomes a thorn in his side or conveniently dies suddenly? The possibilities are really intriguing.
 

tuareg109

Banned
I know that, by the era of Caesar's life, there were major qualms about somebody not descended fully from Ptolemy on both sides ascending the Egyptian throne; now I know that Pyrrhus was a young man only 30 years after Alexander's death, but do you know if Ptolemy's rule and the strength of his bloodline is too powerful even then?

If so, well, you're out of luck.

If not, well, good luck! I don't know much about the Diadochi period, but you're the number 1 person I'd choose to write a TL about it.
 
I know that, by the era of Caesar's life, there were major qualms about somebody not descended fully from Ptolemy on both sides ascending the Egyptian throne; now I know that Pyrrhus was a young man only 30 years after Alexander's death, but do you know if Ptolemy's rule and the strength of his bloodline is too powerful even then?

If so, well, you're out of luck.

If not, well, good luck! I don't know much about the Diadochi period, but you're the number 1 person I'd choose to write a TL about it.

Not sure if I'd write a TL about it (want to stick with my current one and not sure if I have time for 2). The Ptolemaic line wasn't so cemented yet-Ptolemy died in 283, only a few years before the time this would be happening. If Pyrrhus marries his daughter too (or even his step daughter as per OTL), well dynasts of this period have found lesser reasons to make a claim on some realm or region.
 

tuareg109

Banned
But Egypt has a much longer tradition of Pharaohs marrying their siblings instead of some outsider, and keeping the bloodline pure.

However, considering Persia's domination, and then the coming of Alexander, that might not be such an issue only a few years after Ptolemy's death. Unless some expert busts into this thread and proves you wrong, I guess you're right.
 
Well, a very significant powerbase for the Ptolemeies were the Celtic Mercs who worked for them.

Largely, I think it would have to involve Pyrrhus staying on with Ptolemy only for Ptolemy's sons to die through various methods.
 
Well, a very significant powerbase for the Ptolemeies were the Celtic Mercs who worked for them.

Largely, I think it would have to involve Pyrrhus staying on with Ptolemy only for Ptolemy's sons to die through various methods.

That does seem to make the most sense.

Though what about this: Ptolemy Keraunos eventually defeats the Celts invading.Have some crisis in Egypt, and instead of supplying Pyrrhus to get to italy, he gives him men and support to get to Egypt (maybe with the tacit approval of Antiochus in exchange for letting the Seleukids take Koile-Syria?).

Instead of Pyrrhus going to Italy, Ptolemy Keraunos might see Tarentum's call for help as a good way of getting rid of Antigonos Gonatas. Maybe he makes him an offer of letting him gather some forces together to sail to the aid of Tarentum.

Ptolemy just got rid of two potential thorns in his side in one go.
 
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