#Ptolemy Ceraunus | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jeannereames · 1 month

Note

hello!!! Dr. Reamen, I wanted to ask, did the Ptolemies know that Alexander was not related to them or did they really believe their own propaganda about being descendants of ATG?

Just a quick clarification: the claim was that Ptolemy I Soter was the bastard son of Philip, so they weren't descendants directly of Alexander, but of Alexander's father, making them Argeads. The person who made the claim was almost certainly Ptolemy's creepy son Ptolemy Keraunos,* who nobody liked much. He kept flitting between Diadochi courts when he'd outworn his welcome, assassinated someone, or conspired to assassinate someone. Ptolemy himself replaced him as heir with his younger brother, which started his perambulations, looking for support.

This claim also seems to have been made after Ptolemy I's death (contra Tarn). Ptolemy Keraunos made it because he was (briefly) king of Macedon. This was after Kassandros died (another liked-by-nobody figure who's father also passed him over), and his sons killed each other until Demetrios Poliorketes killed the last one. After Demetrios died, things in Macedon went wiggy (or maybe wiggy-er), which is when Ptolemy Keraunos took over before being killed in battle with invading Gauls. Antigonos Gonatos finally stabilized Macedon and instituted the Antigonid dynasty, which lasted.

Yet if Ptolemy Keraunos was making a bid to be king of Macedon, you can see why being the grandson of ol' Phil would be quite useful. Yes, it gives the Ptolemies a connection to Alexander, but it's really the connection to PHILIP, who was much more popular back home in Macedon, that Ptolemy Keraunos wanted.

Did later Ptolemies believe it? Possibly. Certainly the further they got from its origin, the more likely they probably were to accept it without squinting too hard...or recognizing the timing problems. (Philip would have had to be really young when he fathered Ptolemy.**)

There was a long-standing tradition in Greece of divine descent for kings. The Argeads themselves claimed it to Zeus via Herakles. Having a connection to the divine Alexander would have been right in line with that.

------------

See N. L. Collins "The Various Fathers of Ptolemy I," Mnemosyne 50.4 (1997) 436-76.

I had a lot of fun with making Ptolemy Philip's son in Dancing with the Lion, and did make sure he was young, but in my author's note at the end, I also state that it's almost certainly false.

#asks #Ptolemies #Ptolemy #Ptolemy Keraunos #Ptolemy Ceraunus #Alexander the Great #ancient Macedonia #diadochi #Demetrios Poliorketes #Demetrius Poliorcetes

12 notes · View notes

kumail-fan · 3 years

Text

Consolidation Of Gains

Little is known concerning the upcoming few decades of Seleucus's predominate; he used them to unite his profits. He embarked on a growth of his kingdom during the west east (the upper satrapies) up to India, but his progress was finally halted by Chandragupta (known as Sandrocottus or even Androcottus in Latin and Greek origins ), the creator of this Mauryan empire of India. At a pact concluded by both potentates, Seleucus consented to territorial concessions in exchange for 500 elephants. Their pact also included a union clause, where Seleucus might have consented to send a girl to India, but particulars of this arrangement are unknown.

Developments from the west were also a element in causing Seleucus to finish his effort from India (303). He'd joined a coalition which Ptolemy, Cassander, and Lysimachus had again shaped against Antigonus and Demetrius. At the winter of 302 Seleucus was again back in Asia Minor and, collectively with Cassander and Lysimachus, defeated Antigonus at the Battle of Ipsus (301). The victors divided the lands of the enemy one of them, together with Seleucus being awarded Syria. The southern part of Syria, Coele Syria, had in the meantime been inhabited by Ptolemy, who hadn't participate in the warfare. For now, nevertheless, Seleucus failed to impose his claim; he simply moved his capital from Seleucia on the Tigris into the newly founded town of Antioch about the Orontes (301--300).

To offer a counterbalance, Seleucus requested for the hands of Stratonice, the daughter of Demetrius, and at 298 that the marriage had been held with much pomp in Rhosus at Syria. Shortly, however, Seleucus's territorial requirements (e.g., the surrender of Cilicia as well as also the towns of Tyre and Sidon) ruptured the formerly harmonious connection with Demetrius.

In 294 a sensational scandal happened at the courtroom of Seleucus. Seleucus gave him Stratonice, delegated him as commander in chief into the top satrapies, and made him co-regent.

Then, Seleucus intervened in dissensions at the home of Lysimachus, who'd had his son Agathocles assassinated. In February 281 Lysimachus dropped in a struggle against Seleucus in Corupedium, and Seleucus gained control of Lysimachus's kingdom. He was now close to his objective of reestablishing Alexander's empire. He crossed over to Europe to go into Macedonia, but in the end of August or beginning of September 281he had been murdered by Ptolemy Ceraunus, who'd been handed over by his father, Ptolemy, as successor to the Egyptian throne. Seleucus's son and successor, Antiochus I, entombed his dad's ashes in Seleucia, pioneered (likely ) that the posthumous cult of his dad, and arranged his own veneration as Zeus Nicator.

Seleucus was an energetic ruler, producing the Seleucid empire, which gained its biggest expansion under his own rule. He took great interest in the government of his lands and established several new cities. He also encouraged scientific study: Patrocles researched the Caspian Sea and Megasthenes that the Ganges River. A bronze bust--a very remarkable likeness of him, conveying his imposing character --has been discovered in Herculaneum (at Italy) and is presently in Naples.

Read more about Seleucus's

0 notes

thelastdiadoch · 7 years

Photo

EASTERN GALLIC CHIEF BOLGIUS FACES OFF WITH THE KINGS OF HELLENISTIC MACEDON

This is an excerpt from my post, ‘GAULS OF THE EAST: PART 1 – BANDITS OF THE BALKANS’

The cracks begin to show

It seemed as though, despite the loss of the great military minds of Alexander the Great, his Diadochi or “successors”, were still too powerful for the Gauls to overwhelm. Their next expedition would have to be timed at a moment when Macedonia and the Greeks were divided and weakened. This opportunity arose when, in the matter of three years, three great Diadochi passed away. Each of these three had established their own independent realms from the fragments of Alexander’s empire.

Ptolemy I Soter, founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt (Hellenistic Egypt), died in 283/2 BCE.

Lysimachus founder of the Lysamichid dynasty of Hellenistic Thrace, Asia Minor and co-ruler of Macedonia, died in a battle against Seleucus I Nicator in 281 BCE.

Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid dynasty of the Near East and Greater Persia, was assassinated in 281 BCE shortly after his victory over Lysimachus.

^ Wars of the Diadochi c.279 BCE [Source].

Ptolemy Ceraunus, ‘the thunderbolt’

With the deaths of these three major Diadochi, Gallic chief Bolgios chose a very opportune moment to assault the Macedonians and Thracians as they were both reorganizing under their new kings and were locked into a game of thrones. The Diadoch Lysimachus fell in the Battle of Corupedium against the Diadoch Seleucus I Nicator, shortly after the latter was assassinated by Ptolemy (son of Ptolemy I Soter) who then claimed the Macedonian throne for himself. This Ptolemy was also given the nickname ‘Ceraunus’, “thunderbolt”, for his daring initiative.

^ Marble bust of Lysimachus. Naples, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (Archaeological Museum), Italy.

“The assassin (Ptolemy Ceraunus) gave up the treasures to the guards to plunder, and reigned over Macedonia until, venturing to give battle to the Gauls (he was the first king we know of who did so)” – The Description of Greece by Pausanias.

“Bolgius marched against the Macedonians and Illyrians, and engaged in conflict with Ptolemy, then king of Macedonia. It was this Ptolemy who first sought the protection of Seleucus (I Nicator), son of Antiochus, and then assassinated his protector, and whose excessive daring earned him the nickname of Thunderbolt (Ceraunus).” – The Description of Greece by Pausanias.

Plutarch writes that Ptolemy Ceraunus was heavily plagued by nightmares stemming from his betrayal and assassination of Seleucus I Nicator, namely he dreamt that he was “cited to the judgment-seat by Seleucus, where wolves and vultures were his judges” (Plutarch). Ptolemy was well aware of the Gallic approach but dismissed them as being any true threat, his pride and overconfidence led him to even dismiss the aid of twenty thousand men offered by Dardanians (Thraco-Illyrians) for the purpose of defeating their Gallic neighbors

^ A Roman copy of a Greek statue of Seleucus I found in Herculaneum. Now located at the Naples National Archaeological Museum.

“An embassy from the Dardanians, offering him twenty thousand armed men, for his assistance he spurned, adding insulting language, and saying that “the Macedonians were in a sad condition if, after having subdued the whole east without assistance, they now required aid from the Dardanians to defend their country; and that he had for soldiers the sons of those who had served under Alexander the Great, and had been victorious throughout the world.” This answer being repeated to the Dardanian prince, he observed that “the famous kingdom of Macedonia would soon fall a sacrifice to the rashness of a raw youth.”” – Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus by Marcus Junianus Justinus, 24.4.

The Gauls under Bolgius sent envoys to Ptolemy Ceraunus, offering him peace in exchange for a fee but Ptolemy refused and boasted to his courtiers “that the Gauls sued for peace from fear of war.” Ptolemy told the ambassadors, right in front of the Gallic envoys, that he would only grant them peace if they turned their chiefs over to him as hostages and gave up their arms. When the Gallic envoys returned and relayed the message the Gauls laughed it off and said that they would show Ptolemy Ceraunus “would soon see whether they had offered peace from regard for themselves or for him.” Bolgius lead a force against Ptolemy Ceraunus, defeated them in battle, beheaded Ptolemy, placed his head on a spear, paraded it before his own people and executed or sacrificed the Macedonian captives.

^ Concord - Ancient Celts.

“-and the Macedonians were defeated and cut to pieces. Ptolemy, after receiving several wounds, was taken, and his head, cut off and stuck on a lance, was carried round the whole army to strike terror into the enemy. Flight saved a few of the Macedonians; the rest were either taken or slain” – Epitome of Philippic History by Justin, 24.5.

“Ptolemy himself fell in the battle, and the Macedonian loss was heavy; but again the Celts had not the courage to march against Greece, and so the second expedition returned home again” – The Description of Greece by Pausanias.

Bolgius didn’t follow up this victory; their momentum was eventually stunted by a nobleman and officer named Sosthenes who took on the title of strategos (general) rather than a kingly title. Defeated, the Gauls under Bolgius returned to their base of operations with their riches. Although thoughts of a successful invasion seemed bleak, the fateful tides were now turning in their favor. More Gauls back home were inspired by the promise of riches in a domain now showing signs of instability as the Macedonian throne was being passed on from person to person.

Ptolemy Ceraunos, who ruled from 281–279 BCE was killed by Bolgius, as stated above.

Meleager, the brother of Ptolemy Ceraunos, ruled for two months before being forced to resign by his own troops in 279 BCE.

Antipater ruled for such a short time (45 days) that he was nicknamed Etesias (“annual wind”), brief summer winds. Antipater Etesias.

Sosthenes, the nobleman mentioned above, deposed Antipater Etesias and ruled as strategos (general) of Macedonia from 279-276 BCE.

Head over to my post, ‘GAULS OF THE EAST: PART 1 – BANDITS OF THE BALKANS’, the rarely spoken of Gauls of southeastern Europe, their invasion of Greece, employment as mercenaries under Ptolemaic Egypt, their rebellious and warlike society as well as their little known kingdom of Tylis in Thrace.

You can also read the sequel to the above mentioned post, ‘GAULS OF THE EAST: PART 2 – HELLENISED GALATIANS OF ASIA MINOR’. In this post I cover the Celts who migrated into Asia Minor, established a Greco-Gallic state, became renowned as warriors and mercenaries, played an integral part in the Hellenistic ‘Game of Thrones’ of the Diadochi (Alexander the Great’s successor), ravaged and terrorized the region, as well as forcing “tribute on the whole of Asia west of the Taurus” (Livy, 38.16.12). I also speak about their armors, weaponry and how they may have inspired some Greek and Roman arms as well as some military units.

#history #celtic #celts #greek #gallic

119 notes · View notes

colascriptura · 7 years

Text

Notes on Daniel 11

Nothing undermines belief in the miraculous nature of scripture faster than chapter 11 of the Book of Daniel.

This chapter, allegedly written in the 6th century B.C., contains amazingly accurate prophecies of events leading up to about 164 B.C. Here are the correspondences, based on the ESV Study Bible, the NIV Study Bible, and the USCCB webpage. Bible text is from the NRSV.

Bible text Historical notes (11:2) Three more kings shall arise in Persia. The fourth shall be far richer than all of them, and when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. The 4th king is universally understood to be Xerxes I, great campaigner against Greece. (11:3) Then a warrior king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and take action as he pleases. Alexander the Great. (11:4) And while still rising in power, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted and go to others besides these. After his death Alexander's kingdom was divided between four generals, none of whom were his progeny. (11:5) Then the king of the south shall grow strong, but one of his officers shall grow stronger than he and shall rule a realm greater than his own realm. Ptolemy I is the king of the south (Egypt). A man who was for a time his officer, Seleucus I Nicator, became king of Babylon and established the great Seleucid Empire. (11:6) After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to ratify the agreement. But she shall not retain her power, and his offspring shall not endure. She shall be given up, she and her attendants and her child and the one who supported her. The king of the south is now Ptolemy II Philadelphus (son of Ptolemy I). His daughter Berenice married the grandson of Seleucus, Antiochus II Theos; but they and their son ended up dead as a result of intrigue involving an earlier wife of Antiochus II. Another son of Antiochus became king, Seleucus II Callinicus. (11:7) In those times a branch from her roots shall rise up in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall take action against them and prevail. Berenice's brother Ptolemy III Euergetes became king of Egypt. He invaded the Seleucid Empire and took the capital city. (11:8) Even their gods, with their idols and with their precious vessels of silver and gold, he shall carry off to Egypt as spoils of war. In the process, Ptolemy III plundered the statues. (11:9) Then the [king of the north] shall invade the realm of the king of the south, but will return to his own land. No record exists of this event, but it seems plausible. (11:10) His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall advance like a flood and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. [Verses 11-13 continue in this vein.] The sons of Seleucus II Callinicus, Seleucus III Ceraunus and Antiochus III the Great continued the struggle against Egypt. (11:14) In those times many shall rise against the king of the south. The lawless among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they shall fail. By now the king of Egypt is Ptolemy V. The Ptolemaic Empire extended into the land of Judah, and the Jews were among the nations that rebelled against him. (11:15) Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks, and take a well-fortified city. The Egyptians fell back to Sidon, but were defeated. (11:16) But he who comes against him shall take the actions he pleases, and no one shall withstand him. He shall take a position in the beautiful land, and all of it shall be in his power. Antiochus III took control of Palestine (the beautiful land). (11:17) In order to destroy the kingdom, he shall give him a woman in marriage; but it shall not succeed or be to his advantage. Antiochus III had his daughter marry Ptolemy V; she ended up supporting her husband against her father. (11:18) Afterward he shall turn to the coastlands, and shall capture many. But a commander shall put an end to his insolence. Antiochus III tried to take many coastal regions, but was defeated by Roman consul Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus. (11:19) Then he shall turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. After this humiliation, some parts of the Seleucid Empire turned against him; he died during a battle at the temple of Bel at Elymais. (11:20) Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an official for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he shall be broken, though not in anger or in battle. The new king of the north is Seleucus IV Philopator. He sent a tax collector to Jerusalem (see 2 Maccabees 3). Seleucus ended up getting poisoned. (11:21) In his place shall arise a contemptible person on whom royal majesty had not been conferred; he shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom through intrigue. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, not the principal heir, rose to power with some intrigue. (11:22) Armies shall be utterly swept away and broken before him, and the prince of the covenant as well. There are two possibilities for the prince of the covenant, Onias III, or Ptolemy VI. (11:23) And after an alliance is made with him, he shall act deceitfully and become strong with a small party. Antiochus IV broke his alliances. (11:24) Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province and do what none of his predecessors had ever done, lavishing plunder, spoil, and wealth on them. Antiochus IV plundered Egypt's territory including Judea. (11:25-26) He shall stir up his power and determination against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall wage war with a much greater and stronger army. But he shall not succeed, for plots shall be devised against him by those who eat of the royal rations. They shall break him, his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall slain. Ptolemy VI's own advisors unwisely urged Egypt to war. (11:27) The two kings, their minds bent on evil, shall sit at one table and exchange lies. But it shall not succeed, for there remains an end at the time appointed. There was some intrigue involving Ptolemy VI's brother Ptolemy VIII coming to rule Egypt, and Ptolemy VI became allied with Antiochus IV, with the goal of retaking Egypt for himself. (11:28) He shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. He shall work his will, and return to his own land. Antiochus IV dealt brutally with a rebellion by the Jews (see 2 Maccabees 5:25-26). (11:29-30) At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but this time it shall not be as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall lose heart and withdraw. Moar war against Egypt! Roman ("Kittim") vessels intervened. (11:31) Forces sent by him shall occupy and profane the temple and fortress. They shall abolish the regular burnt offering and set up the abomination that makes desolate. Antiochus IV set up an idol to Zeus in the Jewish Temple. (11:32) He shall seduce with intrigue those who violate the covenant; but the people who are loyal to their God shall stand firm and take action. Antiochus IV tried to entice Jewish leaders to obey him; see 1 Maccabees 2:17-19.

You get the point. All this is basically accurate. More's the pity, then, that from about verse 36 (and definitely from verse 40) the prophecy no longer accurate depicts the career of Antiochus IV.

(11:40-43) "At the time of the end the king of the south shall attack him. But the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. He shall advance against countries and pass through like a flood. He shall come into the beautiful land, and tens of thousands shall fall victim, but Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites shall escape from his power. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the riches of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall follow in his train."

This didn't happen. The logical conclusion, then, is that the prophecies of Daniel were actually written around this time. Everything in the past was accurately "prophesised", and everything in the future was inaccurately prophesised.

1 note · View note