Philotera (Greek: Φιλωτέρα, born 315/309 BC-probably after 282 BC and before 268 BC)[1] was a Greek Macedonian noblewoman and a Greek Egyptian princess of the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Philotera was the daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Berenice I of Egypt.[2] She had one older sister, Arsinoe II, and a younger brother, the future Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus.[3] From her parents' previous marriages, Philotera had various half-maternal and half-paternal siblings.
Little is known of her life. Philotera died sometime after the accession of Ptolemy II to the Ptolemaic throne and before Arsinoe II died.[4] The fact that Philotera died before her sister did is demonstrated by a hymn written by Callimachus on the death of Arsinoe II.[5]
After Philotera died, Ptolemy II deified her as a goddess. Ptolemy II erected a temple in her honor in Alexandria. Greeks and Egyptians worshipped her along with Arsinoe II, and Ptolemy II created a religious cult in her honour.[6][7]
City
editPhilotera was the ancient name of Safaga in Egypt. It was founded by Satyrus (Ancient Greek: Σάτυρος) and named in honor of the deceased sister of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.[8][9][10]
References
edit- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera". Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera". Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Berenice I". Archived from the original on 2011-10-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera, Footnote 5". Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera, Footnote 3". Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera, Footnote 5". Archived from the original on 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "Ptolemaic Genealogy: Arsinoe II, Footnote 17". Archived from the original on 2011-11-26. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
- ^ "The Maritime Incense Route Nabataea: Philotera". Archived from the original on 2012-10-06. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
- ^ Strabo, Geography, §16.4.5
- ^ Stephanus of Byzantium, Ethnica, §Ph666.16
Sources
edit- Ptolemaic Genealogy: Arsinoe II Archived 2011-11-26 at the Wayback Machine
- Ptolemaic Genealogy: Berenice I Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Ptolemaic Genealogy: Philotera Archived 2016-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
- The Maritime Incense Route Nabataea: Philotera Archived 2012-10-06 at the Wayback Machine