Yes, it was in the 1700s. But, you know, since it is in an alternate world things can take place at different times.

The story couldn't have taken place around that time, 'cause they had cars, Although they never mentioned TV or radio.

Wells, things are allowed to be shifted to any way Stroud wants, you gotta admit. He is the author.

It's set around the late 1900s, judging by the past Prime Ministers and so on. Certainly after Churchill died.

If you go to wikipedia and read the setting part, they say that it's in a parralel universe among other things.

I'm thinking it was 2004 in the Ptolemy's Gate because Bartimaeus says it was 2129 years since Ptolemy died and that was in 125. Jonathan Stroud didn't necissarily plan that all out though, it could have just sounded like a good number. I know I wouldn't figure it out if I was an author.

Are you talking about Claudius Ptolemy? 'cause that guy lived from c. 90- c.168

Yeah, it's a parallel universe... there aren't many magicians in the government, as far as I can tell.

There were lots of Ptolemys.

who worked for the government but didnt run it

There was a whole dynasty of Egyptian Pharoahs called Ptolemy. They were around near the end of the BC period, IIRC.

Decendants of Alexander the Great's generals. Got killed with the roman conquest of Egypt. Cleopatra.

But Claudius is the only famous one in our time, besides the Cleo's brother. Too bad he died so old.

He'll be one of the unknown Ptolemys...

He probably doesn't exist in our time, but maybe someone should ask Jon, just in case.

Its hard to say. The Egyptian culture was very...incest ridden, I would not be surprised if one of the Ptolemys was his own uncle. I dont know much about the Ptolemys themselves, but I think it is likely that the one the book focuses on did exist.

I don't think so. What did the real one do that the book one is based on? The Ptolemy was based on a prodigy who wanted peace between humans and dijnn. The jealous cousin thing might have been based on something, but I'm sure there has been a lot of incidents like that in history.

Not based on anyone. there's too little information to 'base' on someone.

wrote: It's set around the late 1900s, judging by the past Prime Ministers and so on. Certainly after Churchill died.

Jonathan wrote it was in the early 2000s somewhere on the site.

wrote:  I don't think so. What did the real one do that the book one is based on? The Ptolemy was based on a prodigy who wanted peace between humans and dijnn. The jealous cousin thing might have been based on something, but I'm sure there has been a lot of incidents like that in history.

Ptolemy's Uncle and Cousin did exsist. However, I am yet to find any information on a real Ptolemy who was a cousin to Ptolemy the ninth.

He was Ptolemy the ninth? We could find out when he was born with that info.