Tryphaena
| Tryphaena | |
|---|---|
Queen Consort of Syria) | |
| Tenure | 124 BC–111 BC (in opposition to her sister Cleopatra IV until 112 BC) |
| Coronation | 124 BC |
| Predecessors | Cleopatra Thea and Seleucus V Philometor |
| Successor | Queen consort Cleopatra Selene |
| Born | c. 141 BC |
| Died | 111 BC |
| Spouse | Antiochus VIII Grypus |
| Issue | |
Cleopatra III | |
Tryphaena (Greek: Τρύφαινα; c. 141 BC – 111 BC) was a Ptolemaic princess. She married the Seleucid king Antiochus VIII Grypus and was queen of Syria (124–111 BC).
Biography
Early life and Queen of Syria
It is often assumed that Tryphaena also bore the name Cleopatra, but this has not been attested. She was the oldest daughter of the Egyptian king
In 124 BC Ptolemy VIII broke with his former ally
Feud with Cleopatra IV and death
In 112 BC Antiochus VIII defeated his stepbrother and rival Antiochus IX Cyzicenus, and took Antioch, where Cleopatra IV, the wife of Antiochus IX, stayed. Tryphaena hated her sister Cleopatra IV, who had taken refuge in the temple of Apollo, and wanted her to be killed. She accused Cleopatra IV of introducing foreign armies into the dispute between the Seleucid stepbrothers and marrying outside Egypt against the will of her mother. Antiochus VIII asked his wife in vain to spare her sister. He said that his ancestors had never dealt so violently with women. He added that the temple, where Cleopatra IV had taken refuge, was sacred, and that he had to respect the gods, with whose help he had won. But Tryphaena was not to be persuaded by her husband and ordered several soldiers to execute her sister. They penetrated into the temple and killed Cleopatra IV. Before dying Cleopatra IV cursed her murderers and left her revenge to the discretion of the dishonoured gods.[4]
A year later, in 111 BC, Tryphaena was taken prisoner by Antiochus IX after he had beaten his stepbrother in another battle. Antiochus IX had her executed and sacrificed her to the manes of his wife.[4]
See also
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Notes
- Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft. Vol. XI, 1 (1921), col. 787.
- ^ Justin, Epitoma historiarum Philippicarum Pompei Trogi 39.2.3
- Eusebius of Caesarea, ChronicleI, p. 261-262, edition by Schoene
- ^ a b Justin, Epitoma historiarum Philippicarum Pompei Trogi 39.3.4-12, our only source for these events
References
- Felix Stähelin: Kleopatra 25). In: Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft. Vol. XI, 1 (1921), col. 787–788.
External links
- Tryphaena by Chris Bennett