Final answer:
Ptolemy was the general who took control of Egypt after Alexander the Great's death, establishing the Ptolemaic dynasty and ruling for nearly three centuries, with Alexandria as a major cultural hub.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general who controlled the Egyptian region when Alexander the Great divided his kingdom into four major regions was Ptolemy. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Ptolemy took control of Egypt and declared himself king in 305 BC, establishing what would become the Ptolemaic dynasty. This dynasty managed to rule for nearly three centuries. Ptolemy, as well as his successors, adopted many Egyptian customs and religious practices, styling themselves as pharaohs, which helped them integrate with and gain the acceptance of the Egyptian populace. Furthermore, they promoted a hybrid Greco-Egyptian culture, with the city of Alexandria becoming a major center of learning and trade.