Phila (daughter of Seleucus)
Phila (
basilissa) of ancient Macedonia. She was a daughter of Seleucus I Nicator, the founder of the Seleucid Empire, and Stratonice. In 277 or 276 BC,[1] she became the wife of her uncle Antigonus II Gonatas, king of Macedonia, and was mother of Demetrius II Aetolicus (born 275 BC).[2][3] She was given to Antigonus by her brother, later Antiochus I king of the Seleucid Empire.[4] She had been placed in his care in 294 or 293 BC.[5] This was done by way of Antiochus formally giving up his claim to Macedonia and recognising Antigonus as king there following an alliance opposing him between Antigonus and Nicomedes I of Bithynia.[4]
Phila's wedding was used by Antigonus to emphasise that his rule was a return to the old
polygamous, Antigonus married only Phila. The poet Aratus wrote a hymn for the wedding and an epigram for Phila.[1]
A statue of Phila was erected on the island of Delos.[1] She frequently visited the sanctuary of Apollo on the island, apparently copying a habit of her mother.[6] On the island of Samos, Phila had a temenos, a holy precinct under official control.[1] There may have been a cult for Phila on the island.[7]
References
- ^ ISBN 0806132124.
- ^ Joann Malelas, p. 198, ed. Bonn ; Droysen, Hellenism. vol. ii. p. 179 ; Froelich. Ann. Syr, pp. 21, 22
- ^ Phila II, Livius.org, retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ OCLC 829150424.
- ISBN 1107164788.
- ISBN 1134978014.
- ^ Carney, p. 309