Lysimachus: Difference between revisions

Lysimachus
Lysimachus
King of Thrace; King of Asia Minor; King of Macedon
	Lysimachus as horned Alexander.
Reign	306–281 BCE

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Revision as of 05:25, 17 February 2008

Lysimachus (Greek: Λυσίμαχος, Lysimachos; 360 BCE - 281 BCE) was a Macedonian officer and diadochus (i.e. "successor") of Alexander the Great, who became a basileus ("king") in 306 BCE, ruling Thrace, Asia Minor and Macedonia.

Son of the Thessalian^[1] Agathocles from Crannon, Lysimachus was born in 360 BCE in Pella, Macedon. During Alexander's Persian campaigns he was one of his immediate bodyguard and distinguished himself in India. After Alexander’s death (323 BCE) he was appointed to the government of Thrace and the Chersonese. For a long time he was chiefly occupied with fighting against the Odrysian king Seuthes III.

In 315 BCE he joined Cassander, Ptolemy and Seleucus against Antigonus, who, however, diverted his attention by stirring up Thracian and Scythian tribes against him. In 309 BCE, he founded Lysimachia in a commanding situation on the neck connecting the Chersonese with the mainland. He followed the example of Antigonus in taking the title of king. In 302 when the second affiance between Cassander, Ptolemy and Seleucus was made, Lysimachus, reinforced by troops from Cassander, entered Asia Minor, where he met with little resistance. On the approach of Antigonus he retired into winter quarters near Heraclea, marrying its widowed queen Amastris, a Persian princess. Seleucus joined him in 301 BCE, and at the battle of Ipsus Antigonus was defeated and slain. His dominions were divided among the victors. Lysimachus share was Lydia, Ionia, Phrygia and the north coast of Asia Minor.^[2]

Kingdom of Lysimachus
Other diadochi
  Kingdom of Cassander

  Kingdom of Seleucus

  Kingdom of Ptolemy

  Epirus
Other
  Carthage

  Rome

  Greek colonies

Feeling that Seleucus was becoming dangerously great, Lysimachus now allied himself with Ptolemy, marrying his daughter Arsinoe II of Egypt. Amastris, who had divorced herself from him, returned to Heraclea. When Antigonus’s son Demetrius I of Macedon renewed hostilities (297 BCE), during his absence in Greece, Lysimachus seized his towns in Asia Minor, but in 294 BCE concluded a peace whereby Demetrius was recognized as ruler of Macedonia. He tried to carry his power beyond the Danube, but was defeated and taken prisoner by the Getae king Dromichaetes (Dromihete), who, however, set him free on amicable terms. Demetrius subsequently threatened Thrace, but had to retire due to a sudden uprising in Boeotia, and an attack from the king Pyrrhus of Epirus.

Coin of Lysimachus. The Greek inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΚΟΥ reads *[coin] of King Lysimachus*

In 288 BCE Lysimachus and Pyrrhus in turn invaded Macedonia, and drove Demetrius out of the country. Lysimachus left Pyrrhus in possession of Macedonia with the title of king for around seven months before Lysimachus invaded. For a short while the two ruled jointly but in 285 BCE Lysimachus expelled Pyrrhus.^[3]

Domestic troubles embittered the last years of Lysimachus’s life. Amastris had been murdered by her two sons; Lysimachus treacherously put them to death. On his return Arsinoe asked the gift of Heraclea, and he granted her request, though he had promised to free the city. In 284 BCE Arsinoe, desirous of gaining the succession for her sons in preference to Agathocles (the eldest son of Lysimachus), intrigued against him with the help of her brother Ptolemy Keraunos; they accused him of conspiring with Seleucus to seize the throne, and he was put to death.

This atrocious deed of Lysimachus aroused great indignation. Many of the cities of Asia revolted, and his most trusted friends deserted him. The widow of Agathocles fled to Seleucus, who at once invaded the territory of Lysimachus in Asia. In 281 BCE, Lysimachus crossed the Hellespont into Lydia, and at the decisive Battle of Corupedium was killed. After some days his body was found on the field, protected from birds of prey by his faithful dog^[4]. Lysimachus's body was given over to his son Alexander, by whom it was interred at Lysimachia.

References

Arrian, Anabasis v. 13, vi. 28
Justin xv. 3, 4, xvii. I
Quintus Curtius V. 3, x. 30
Diodorus Siculus xviii. 3
Polybius v. 67
Plutarch, Demetrius, 31. 52, Pyrrhus, 12
Appian, Syriaca, 62
Connop Thirlwall, History of Greece, vol. viii. (1847)
J. P. Mahaffy, Story of Alexander’s Empire
Droysen, Hellenismus (2nd ed., 1877)
Adolf Holm, Griechische Geschichte, vol. iv. (1894)
Benediktus Niese, Geschichte der griechischen und makedonischen Staaten, vols. i. and ii. (1893, 1899)
Karl Julius Beloch, Griechische Geschichte vol. iii. (1904)
Hunerwadel, Forschungen zur Gesch. des Könige Lysimachus (1900)
Possenti, Il Re Lisimaco di Tracia (1901)
Ghione, "Note sul regno di Lisimaco" (Atti d. real. Accad. di Torino, xxxix.)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

Notes

^ Who's who in the Age of Alexander the Great [1]
^ Historians History of the World vol 4 p450
^ Historians History of the World, Editor: Henry Smith Williamsvol 4 p454
^ Historians History of the World vol 4 p505

[1] Who's who in the Age of Alexander the Great [1]

[2] Historians History of the World vol 4 p450

[3] Historians History of the World, Editor: Henry Smith Williamsvol 4 p454

[4] Historians History of the World vol 4 p505

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 [http://books.google.com/books?id=JJ4K1wFZkrsC&pg=PA153&dq=Agathocles+Crannon++Lysimachus&sig=X0_Z_QlIA2mAuqAppc86fvZrB6M]</ref> Agathocles from [[Crannon]], Lysimachus was born in [[360 BCE]] in [[Pella|Pella,]] Macedon. During Alexander's [[Persian Empire|Persia]]n campaigns he was one of his immediate bodyguard and distinguished himself in [[India]]. After Alexander’s death ([[323 BCE]]) he was appointed to the government of Thrace and the [[Chersonese]]. For a long time he was chiefly occupied with fighting against the [[Odrysia]]n king [[Seuthes III]].
-In [[315 BCE]] he joined [[Cassander]], [[Ptolemy I of Egypt|Ptolemy]] and [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]] against [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], who, however, diverted his attention by stirring up Thracian and [[Scythia]]n tribes against him. In [[309 BCE]], he founded [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]] in a commanding situation on the neck connecting the Chersonese with the mainland. He followed the example of Antigonus in taking the title of king. In [[302 BCE|302]] when the second ''affiance'' between Cassander, Ptolemy and Seleucus was made, Lysimachus, reinforced by troops from Cassander, entered Asia Minor, where he met with little resistance. On the approach of Antigonus he retired into winter quarters near [[Heraclea Pontica|Heraclea]], marrying its widowed queen [[Amastris]], a Persian princess. Seleucus joined him in [[301 BCE]], and at the [[battle of Ipsus]] Antigonus was defeated and slain. His dominions were divided among the victors. Lysimachus share was [[Lydia]], [[Ionia]], [[Phrygia]] and the north coast of Asia Minor.<ref>Historians History of the World vol 4 p450</ref>
+In [[315 BCE]] he joined [[Cassander]], [[Ptolemy I of Egypt|Ptolemy]] and [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucus]] against [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]], who, however, diverted his attention by stirring up Thracian and [[Scythia]]n tribes against him. In [[309 BCE]], he founded [[Lysimachia (Thrace)|Lysimachia]] in a commanding situation on the neck connecting the Chersonese with the mainland. He followed the example of Antigonus in taking the title of king. In [[302 BCE|302]] when the second ''affiance'' between Cassander, Ptolemy and Seleucus was made, Lysimachus, reinforced by troops from Cassander, entered Asia Minor, where he met with little resistance. On the approach of Antigonus he retired into winter quarters near [[Heraclea Pontica|Heraclea]], marrying its widowed queen [[Amastris]], a Persian princess. Seleucus joined him in [[301 BCE]], and at the [[battle of Ipsus]] Antigonus was defeated and slain. His dominions were divided among the victors. Lysimachus share was [[Lydia]], [[Ionia]], [[Phrygia]] and the north coast of [[Asia]] Minor.<ref>Historians History of the World vol 4 p450</ref>
 [[Image:Diadochen1.png|thumb|right|float|300px|

Preceded by —	Governor of Thrace 323–306 BC	Succeeded by became king
Preceded by Alexander IV	King of Thrace 306–281 BC	Succeeded by Ptolemy Keraunos
Preceded by Antigonus I Monophthalmus	King of Asia Minor 301–281 BC	Succeeded by Seleucus I Nicator
Preceded by Demetrius I Poliorcetes	King of Macedon with Pyrrhus of Epirus 288–281 BC	Succeeded by Ptolemy Keraunos

v t e Kings of Macedon
Legendary	Caranus Coenus Tyrimmas	Vergina Sun
Argead dynasty	Perdiccas I Argaeus I Philip I Aeropus I Alcetas Amyntas I Alexander I Perdiccas II Archelaus Orestes Aeropus II Amyntas II Pausanias Amyntas III Argaeus II Alexander II Ptolemy of Aloros Perdiccas III Amyntas IV Philip II Alexander III (the Great) Philip III Alexander IV
Antipatrid dynasty	Cassander Philip IV Antipater I Alexander V
Dynastic conflict	Demetrius I Pyrrhus Lysimachus Ptolemy Ceraunus Meleager Antipater II Sosthenes Antigonus II Pyrrhus
Antigonid dynasty	Antigonus II Demetrius II Antigonus III Philip V Perseus
Post-Conquest Rebel Kings	Andriscus Pseudo-Alexander Pseudo-Philip/Pseudo-Perseus Euephenes
Debatable or disputed rulers are in italics.

v t e Hellenistic rulers
Argeads	Philip II Alexander III the Great Philip III Arrhidaeus Alexander IV
Antipatrids	Cassander Philip IV Alexander V Antipater II Antipater Etesias Sosthenes
Antigonids	Antigonus I Monophthalmus Demetrius I Poliorcetes Antigonus II Gonatas Demetrius II Aetolicus Antigonus III Doson Philip V Perseus Philip VI (pretender)
Ptolemies	Ptolemy I Soter Ptolemy Keraunos Ptolemy II Philadelphus Ptolemy III Euergetes Ptolemy IV Philopator Ptolemy V Epiphanes Cleopatra I Syra (regent) Ptolemy VI Philometor Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator Cleopatra II Philometor Soter Ptolemy VIII Physcon Cleopatra III Ptolemy IX Lathyros Ptolemy X Alexander Berenice III Ptolemy XI Alexander Ptolemy XII Auletes Cleopatra VI Tryphaena Berenice IV Epiphanea Ptolemy XIII Ptolemy XIV Cleopatra VII Philopator Ptolemy XV Caesarion
Monarchs of Cyrene	Magas Berenice II Demetrius the Fair Ptolemy VIII Physcon Ptolemy Apion Cleopatra Selene II
Seleucids	Seleucus I Nicator Antiochus I Soter Antiochus II Theos Seleucus II Callinicus Seleucus III Ceraunus Antiochus III the Great Seleucus IV Philopator Antiochus IV Epiphanes Antiochus V Eupator Demetrius I Soter Alexander I Balas Demetrius II Nicator Antiochus VI Dionysus Diodotus Tryphon Antiochus VII Sidetes Alexander II Zabinas Cleopatra Thea Seleucus V Philometor Antiochus VIII Grypus Antiochus IX Cyzicenus Seleucus VI Epiphanes Antiochus X Eusebes Antiochus XI Epiphanes Demetrius III Eucaerus Philip I Philadelphus Antiochus XII Dionysus Cleopatra Selene I Antiochus XIII Asiaticus Philip II Philoromaeus
Lysimachids	Lysimachus Ptolemy Epigonos
Attalids	Philetaerus Eumenes I Attalus I Eumenes II Attalus II Attalus III Eumenes III
Greco-Bactrians	Diodotus I Diodotus II Euthydemus I Demetrius I Euthydemus II Antimachus I Pantaleon Agathocles Demetrius II Eucratides I Plato Eucratides II Heliocles I
Indo-Greeks	Demetrius I Antimachus I Pantaleon Agathocles Apollodotus I Demetrius II Antimachus II Menander I Zoilos I Agathokleia Lysias Strato I Antialcidas Heliokles II Polyxenos Demetrius III Philoxenus Diomedes Amyntas Epander Theophilos Peukolaos Thraso Nicias Menander II Artemidoros Hermaeus Archebius Telephos Apollodotus II Hippostratos Dionysios Zoilos II Apollophanes Strato II Strato III
Monarchs of Bithynia	Boteiras Bas Zipoetes I Nicomedes I Zipoetes II Etazeta (regent) Ziaelas Prusias I Prusias II Nicomedes II Nicomedes III Nicomedes IV Socrates Chrestus
Monarchs of Pontus	Mithridates I Ctistes Ariobarzanes Mithridates II Mithridates III Pharnaces I Mithridates IV Philopator Philadephos with Laodice Mithridates V Euergetes Mithridates VI Eupator Pharnaces II Darius Arsaces Polemon I Pythodorida Polemon II
Monarchs of Commagene	Ptolemaeus Sames II Mithridates I Antiochus I Mithridates II Antiochus II Mithridates III Antiochus III Antiochus IV
Monarchs of Cappadocia	Ariarathes I Ariarathes II Ariamnes II Ariarathes III Ariarathes IV Ariarathes V Orophernes Ariarathes VI Ariarathes VII Ariarathes VIII Ariarathes IX Ariobarzanes I Ariobarzanes II Ariobarzanes III Ariarathes X Archelaus
Monarchs of the Cimmerian Bosporus	Paerisades I Satyros II Prytanis Eumelos Spartokos III Hygiainon (regent) Paerisades II Spartokos IV Leukon II Spartokos V [ru] Kamasarye Paerisades III Paerisades IV Paerisades V Mithridates I Pharnaces Asander with Dynamis Mithridates II Asander with Dynamis Scribonius's attempted rule with Dynamis Dynamis with Polemon Polemon Aspurgus Gepaepyris Mithridates III Cotys I
Monarchs of Epirus	Admetus Tharrhypas Alcetas I Neoptolemus I Arybbas Alexander I Aeacides Neoptolemus II Alcetas II Pyrrhus I Alexander II Olympias II (regent) Pyrrhus II Ptolemy Pyrrhus III Deidamia
Hellenistic rulers were preceded by Hellenistic satraps in most of their territories.

Revision as of 05:25, 17 February 2008

References

See also

Notes