I agree, given the conventional knee-jerk reaction, the Ptolemies apparently practiced in-breeding for centuries with no significant adverse PHYSICAL effects. What intrigues me is - you read about the early history of Macedonia, father killing son, brother killing brother, Olympias killing Alexander's half-brother and wife, and on and on. They were a nest of vipers, politically speaking, and how Alexander survived is in part a testament to his extraordinary nature.

Well, with that role model, hyped by connection with the Persians (also well known for this kind of dog-eat-dog successions), the Ptolemies really took 'dysfunctional family' to undreamed of levels.

Whenever people value Cleopatra, I find myself wondering just how many of her near relations she DID kill, or wouldn't have thought twice about killing. Going back to her father, grandfather, and onwards - women and men, knives everywhere.

Pathetic is a good word!