What's in a name? And more.
Learn a historical tidbit, check out my cartoon, and get a recommendation.
My wonderful readers,
I hope your week has been swell. I'm glad to have you all on this Substack newsletter, and it seems a whole lot of you (about 46%, to be precise, which is pretty darn good) opened the last one.
What's on the newsletter menu today? First, a small, interesting tidbit on the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt. Then, showcasing my cartooning skills (yes, I do that as a distraction), and finally, a book recommendation.
The “Boringness” of Ptolemy names
As many of you know, the Ptolemaic dynasty began around 322-321 B.C. with Ptolemy I Soter, one of Alexander the Great's generals, who became the Satrap of Egypt and later Pharaoh. The Ptolemies imbibed local customs, adopted Egyptian gods, and ruled until the famous Cleopatra VII Philopator (yes, she was a Ptolemy) was defeated by Octavian Caesar and killed herself. Ptolemy I makes a prominent appearance in my 5th book of the Whispers of Atlantis series (Sinister Sands), and I have an entire trilogy + novella on Cleopatra. But that's not what this is about.
Did you know that all women of the Ptolemaic dynasty had only three names? That's right:
Cleopatra, Berenice, and Arsinoe.
That's what they were all named.
Ptolemy I's wife was Berenice. What about the famous Cleopatra who came about 300 years later? Well, her name was, uh, Cleopatra. Her older sister was... Berenice. And her younger sister was, you guessed it, Arsinoe. What of her mother? We don't really know. But her possible stepmother (who appears in my novella "Dangerous Daughter") was... Cleopatra. And Cleopatra's daughter... well, her name was Cleopatra! (Cleopatra Selene, to be precise).
Well, maybe the women of the dynasty were upset at the limited choices. The men had it worse. All 14 of the Ptolemy kings were named... oh yes... Ptolemy. It was Ptolemy [number] [honorifics]. For example, Cleopatra's father was "Ptolemaios XII Neos Dionysos"—"Ptolemy the 12th, the New Dionysus."
Talk of a lack of imagination. Imagine the confusion at home. "Ptolemy! Stop doing that! Ptolemy and Ptolemy, Ptolemy is calling you. And tell Cleopatra that Cleopatra is asking about her!"
Now, on the topic, check out my cartooning abilities.
Please, rate my brilliance without hesitation (I will publish results next week).
Next: a book recommendation.
If you haven't had the chance, I'd recommend reading "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing. It is the story of Shackleton's Antarctica expedition. This incredible story of endurance and hope will hook you from beginning to end. By the way, Endurance was the ship's name, how fitting.
Finally,
With that, I bid adieu this week. I’ll share another interesting tidbit from Herodotus’ works next week. My next book continues at a good pace. The protagonists are somewhere in Iraq. And they’re in trouble.
You have a wonderful weekend and continue to be amazing,
Jay
(shameless plug: share this newsletter with friends, family, and even people you don’t like that much.)