Ptolemy Sotor

When the empire of Alexander was divided, Egypt fell to the share of one of his generals, named Ptolemy, who was surnamed Sotor. Ptolemy determined to seize the whole of Syria. He advanced against Jerusalem, and cunningly delayed his attack until the Sabbath-day. He knew that all the inhabitants were at rest upon that day, and, moreover, they did not suspect him of being an enemy. So he marched into the city under pretence of wishing to sacrifice on the altars, and, when he once was within the walls, he took possession of it. None of the Jews dared to resist him, for it was against the law to fight on the Sabbath. The conqueror carried away with him a number of captives, whom he settled in Egypt, and, finding them to be good citizens and faithful to their word, he treated them so well that many others of the Jews were induced to come of their own accord to Egypt.