AR Tetradrachm. Tyre, dated RY 30 = 256/5 BCE
14.01g, 25mm, 12h.
Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck / ΠΤΟΛEΜΑΙOΥ [BAΣΙΛEΩΣ], eagle standing to left; monogram of Tyre above club to left; Λ (date) above monogram to right; A between legs.
CPE 577; Svoronos 657; SNG Copenhagen 488; DCA 20
Ex collection of R. N. Draskowski;
Ex Ephesus Numismatics, North Carolina, USA
Ptolemy II Philadelphos was responsible for completing one of the ancient great wonders of the world, and for finishing what may have been the greatest library in existence.
The wonder, of course, is the Pharos of Alexandria. This was a lighthouse of such importance that the word for “lighthouse” in a number of languages remains the same. It was also the model on which many lighthouses of the time were built, and remained in use well into the Islamic times until multiple earthquakes finished it off.
The Great Library of Alexandria was at the time the largest library in existence. Who knows how different the world would be today if we still had all the works on its shelves. Alas, it was destroyed – though we’re uncertain when. During the Roman civil war, a large portion of Alexandria burned under Caesar, but we don’t know if the library was part of that.
Ptolemy Philadelphos wasn’t destined to be the heir to his father, Ptolemy I Soter. Initially that should have been Ptolemy Keraunos. However, Keraunos‘ major problem was that he was an asshole, which his father eventually learned. When their father gave the reigns to Ptolemy II, a literal bloodbath resulted in the deaths of several of Keraunos‘ brothers and the eventual downfall of the House of Lysimachos, who was married to Ptolemy Philadelphos’ sister Arsinoe II, but whose son Agathokles was married to Ptolemy Keraunos‘ full sister.
Eventually, Lysimachos executed Agathokles, whose wife fled to Seleukos, who killed Lysimachos, but then Seleukos was killed by Ptolemy Keraunos, whose head was placed on a spike by the Gauls. Arsinoe II, after her two youngest children were killed by Ptolemy Keraunos, fled with her remaining son Ptolemy Epigonos (the Egyptians really got carried away with calling people “Ptolemy”) back to Egypt where she married her full brother, Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
After that, Ptolemy II felt things should go back to normal so he got involved in some wars. He feueded with Magas in Cyrene and Antiochos I in Syria. While Ptolemy I Soter and Seleukos I Nikator had been close friends who avoided conflicts, such was not the case with their children. The two houses would continue to fight wars until Rome occupied both several hundred years later.
Ideally we should have been able to read about these details and more in the Library of Alexandria, but sadly not even the location of the library itself is known.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos exiles Demetrios of Phaleron to Upper Egypt due to his support for Ptolemy Keraunos.
Approximate marriage year of Arsinoe I, daughter of Lysimachos, to Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
March 28
Ptolemy I Soter declared Ptolemy II Philadelphos king and co-regent.
Ptolemy II takes power in Alexandria. He is believed to have founded the Library of Alexandria.
May
Death of Ptolemy I Soter. Ptolemy II Philadelphos becomes the sole king of Egypt.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos executes two of his brothers.
Arsinoe II arrives at the court of her brother, Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
First Syrian War begins between Antiochos I Soter and Ptolemy II Philadelphos. It did not change either kingdom much.
Forces of Ptolemy II Philadelphos invade Nubia and annex some territory.
Magas joins an alliance with Antiochos I, and each attacks Ptolemy II Philadelphos and Egypt from a different side. Magas is forced to call off his attack due to an internal revolt in Libya.
Arsinoe I, who had clashed for some time with Arsinoe II, is charged with conspiracy by Ptolemy II Philadelphos and exiled to Koptos.
Arsinoe II marries her brother Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos promotes his wife/sister Arsinoe II to divine status.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos founds a new city named Arsinoe, named for his wife Arsinoe II, on the ruins of Marion.
Death of Arsinoe II in Egypt. Ptolemy II Philadelphos creates a cult for her.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos clears up the canal from the Nile to the Red Sea.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos founds the city of Arsinoe on the Gulf of Suez.
Ptolemy Epigonos is co-regent with Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
Antigonos II blockades Athens and destroys a temple to Poseidon between it and Megara. Ptolemy II sends a fleet to break the blockade.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos sends Ptolemy Epigonos to Miletos on business.
Ptolemy II’s interference in Greece results in war with Antigonos II.
The city of Arsinoe in Cilicia is founded by Ptolemy II Philadelphos on land taken from Nagidos.
258 BCE
Antiochos II signs an agreement with Antigonos II against Ptolemy II and the Second Syrian War begins.
Ptolemy Epigonos and the tyrant Timarchos of Miletos revolt against Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
Miletos is taken by Antiochos II Theos and its tyrant Timarchos is killed. The rebellion with Ptolemy Epigonos against Ptolemy II Philadelphos ends.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos terminates the co-regency with Ptolemy Epigonos and gives him the city of Telmessos to rule.
Ptolemy II Philadelphos invades Syria.
The Second Syrian War ends. Ptolemy II cedes land to Antiiochos II and Antigonos II remains in mastery of Greece. Antiochos II takes control over Ephesos, Samos, and Miletos.
The navy of Ptolemy II Philadelphos is defeated by Antiochos II Theos at Ephesos.
July
Ptolemy II Philadelphos travels to Memphis and distributes reclaimed land near there to his soldiers.
Antiochos II Theos marries Berenike, the daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphos.
January 28
Death of Ptolemy II Philadelphos. Ptolemy III becomes king.