People > Arsinoe II

Arsinoe II

Background

Arsinoe II (Greek: Ἀρσινόη; c. 316 BC – 270/268 BC) was an influential Hellenistic queen and member of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. Her life and reign were marked by political intrigue, strategic marriages, and significant contributions to the power and stability of the Ptolemaic kingdom. Here is a detailed overview of her life and legacy:

Early Life and Family

• Birth and Parentage: Arsinoe II was born around 316 BC. She was the daughter of Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, and his wife Berenice I. This lineage made her a prominent member of the Hellenistic world’s ruling elite.
• Siblings: Arsinoe had several notable siblings, including Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who would become her third husband, and her brother and later rival, Ptolemy Ceraunus.

Marriages and Political Alliances

Marriage to Lysimachus

• First Marriage: Arsinoe was married to Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great's generals and the ruler of Thrace, Asia Minor, and later Macedon. This marriage was part of a strategic alliance to strengthen ties between their realms.
• Children: Arsinoe and Lysimachus had three sons: Ptolemy Epigonos, Lysimachus, and Philip.
• Intrigue and Conflict: After the death of Lysimachus in 281 BC, Arsinoe's position became precarious. She was involved in political intrigues that led to the execution of her stepson Agathocles, whom she saw as a threat to her children’s inheritance.

Marriage to Ptolemy Ceraunus

• Second Marriage: To secure her position, Arsinoe married her half-brother Ptolemy Ceraunus, who had seized the throne of Macedon. However, this marriage ended disastrously when Ptolemy Ceraunus murdered Arsinoe's sons to eliminate rivals to his throne.
• Escape to Egypt: Following the murder of her sons, Arsinoe fled to Egypt, seeking refuge with her brother, Ptolemy II Philadelphus.

Marriage to Ptolemy II Philadelphus

• Third Marriage: In Egypt, Arsinoe married her full brother, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, around 276 BC. This marriage, known as a sibling or sibling-marriage, was designed to solidify her influence and reinforce the legitimacy of the Ptolemaic dynasty through the divine association of the siblings.
• Joint Rule: Arsinoe II became a co-regent and played a significant role in the administration and cultural life of Egypt. She was honored with the title Philadelphus ("Sister-loving") alongside her brother-husband.

Political and Cultural Influence

• Political Role: Arsinoe II was not just a queen consort but an active co-ruler. She is known to have participated in military campaigns, minting her own coins, and engaging in diplomatic activities.
• Cult of Arsinoe: After her death, she was deified and worshipped as a goddess. The cult of Arsinoe Philadelphus was established, and she was associated with the Egyptian goddess Isis, further enhancing the divine status of the Ptolemaic rulers.
• Cultural Patronage: Arsinoe II was a patron of the arts and learning. She supported the famous Library of Alexandria and the Mouseion, which were centers of Hellenistic culture and knowledge.

Legacy

• Dynastic Stability: Arsinoe’s political maneuvers and strategic marriages were crucial in maintaining and strengthening the Ptolemaic dynasty during its early years. Her marriage to Ptolemy II helped solidify the centralization of power and the stability of the kingdom.
• Iconography: Her image was widely disseminated through coinage and statuary, and she was often depicted with symbols of divine royalty, such as the cornucopia and the double crown of Egypt.
• Cultural Impact: Arsinoe II’s influence extended beyond her lifetime through the continuation of the cult dedicated to her, and she became a model of Hellenistic queenship for later generations.

Conclusion

Arsinoe II was a powerful and influential queen whose life was marked by political acumen, strategic marriages, and significant contributions to the Ptolemaic dynasty's stability and cultural achievements. Her legacy as a co-ruler, deified queen, and patron of the arts and learning left an indelible mark on the history of Hellenistic Egypt.

Sources

H. Bengtson, Griechische Geschichte von den Anfängen bis in die römische Kaiserzeit, C.H.Beck, 1977

R.A. Billows, Kings and colonists: aspects of Macedonian imperialism, BRILL, 1995

Elizabeth Donnelly Carney (2013). Arsinoe of Egypt and Macedon: A Royal Life. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-536551-1.

Milan Papyrus, P. Mil. Vogl. VIII 309.

S.M. Burstein, "Arsinoe II Philadelphos: A Revisionist View", in W.L. Adams and E.N. Borza (eds), Philip II, Alexander the Great and the Macedonian Heritage (Washington, 1982), 197-212

P. McKechnie and P. Guillaume (eds) Ptolemy II Philadelphus and his World. Leiden, 2008.

M. Nilsson, The Crown of Arsinoë II: The Creation of an Image of Authority. Oxford, 2012.

D. L. Selden, Daniel L. "Alibis". Classical Antiquity 17 (2), October 1998.

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