Philip V Eurgetes
| Philip V Eurgetes | |
|---|---|
| Basileus of the Alcaenian Empire | |
| Reign | 284 – 251 BC |
| Coronation | 283 BC |
| Predecessor | Artabanus III |
| Successor | Philip VI |
| Born | 311 BC Mithradat-Alcaeia |
| Died | 251 BC (aged 60) |
| Spouse |
|
| Dynasty | Aegaid |
| Father | Alexander XII |
| Mother | Atossa |
Philip V Eurgetes commonly known by his epithet, Eurgetes meaning "the benefactor" (311- 251 BC) was the Basileus of the Alcaenian empire (in modern Mesogeia). He deposed his nephew Artabanus IV and was acclaimed Basileus in his place, ruling from 284 BC until his death. Philip was known far and wide for his just rule and it was during his reign that the Alcaenian court at Mithradat-Alcaeia reached the height of its splendour and prestige. During his thirty-three year long reign he secured the empire's borders, brought peace to an empire plagued by dissension.
Reign
With the disposition and eventual execution of his nephew, Philip V ascended to the celestial throne. During the early years of his reign Philip worked to legitimize his rule following the death of his nephew. Philip orchestrated a grand funeral in honour of his nephew and all the sacred fires in all the major temples were extinguished (an act reserved only for the death of a monarch) when Artabanus' death was announced. Months after his nephew was entombed in the imperial necropolis at Chousa, Philip and his entire court journeyed to Farsargadai were he was crowned Emperor following the traditional coronation rites and traditions.
In 273 BC, he repudiated his first wife (and neice) Barsine II, banishing her to the palace at Agbatana and marrying in her place his elder sister Stateira (then a woman in her late-forties), whom he raised to the status of co-ruler and empress. The union of Philip V and Barsine II produced but a single child Mithridates (later Mithridates V), born just hours before his mother passed away from childbirth complications.
Durng her lifetime, Stateira is said to have wielded such power that she appeared alongside that of her husband on imperial coinage. The legacy and influence of Ptolemais was so great that decades after her death her portraiture continued to appear on the empire's coinage, her name was still referenced in official documents, and oaths of allegiance were made to her, even in the final years of Philip V's reign.
Court
Philip V Eurgetes and his sister-wife presided over a huge empire, at its centre was a court so splendid and glorious that stories and legends of have been passed down for centuries describing the pomp and splendour displayed at the court at Mithradat-Alcaeia and Pella As a patron of the arts, Philip inaugurated the Imperial library in Pella, laid the foundations for what was to become the modern Moueseion University, and enlarged the Alexandreum in Chousa.
As a cultural enthusiast Philip V patronized leading philosophers, poets, and scholars of the day allowing them to stay at his court in return for promoting the power and prestige of the Aegaid dynasty. Leading courtiers such as PLACEHOLDER, PLACEHOLDER, and PLACEHOLDER are all known to have glorified the court and Philip V Eurgetes in particular.
Religiously the Philip V was regarded as a living god and was worshiped before his death in some parts of the empire; even going so far as to have himself depicted as the God Hormisdas, the king of the gods, helping to bolster the image of the emperor.
Family and issue
Philip V married twice, kept several concubines and produced several children. His first wife was his niece Barsine II whom he married in 291 BC, the couple had several children. In 273 BC, Philip V repudiated his wife Barsine banishing her to Agbatana. That same year he married as his second wife his elder half-sister Stateira, she was in her late forties and seven years his senior.
Barsine II bore him five surviving children (two sons, and three daughters):
- Atossa (b. 290-241 BC)
- Berenice (b. 287-243 BC; died of an illness)
- Philip the younger, (b. 285-249 BC; reigned as Emperor, assassinated by members of the nobility)
- Tiridates (b. 282- 251 BC; second son)
- Apama (b. 272-205 BC; married her half-brother Mithridates V)
By his second wife his elder half sister Stateira I, he had one son.
- Mithridates (b. 266-205)
Later reign
Philip deified hs sister wife upon her death in 266 BC. The loss of his beloved sister-wife was so devastating to Philip, that he declared a lengthy period of mourning for her passing and establed a cult in her honor. He did however continue to rule for an additional fifteen years after the loss of his empress.
Personality and appearance
Much as been written on the the physical appearance of Philip V Eurgetes. He was said be of the purest blood, with ash blonde hair, with an aquiline nose, a strong form, and eyes as blue as the sea. It was said that he was so fair skinned that he had to be shielded by a great umbrella when touring the hotter regions of his empire. The court chronicler at the time also reported that Philip was of a delicate constitution; no doubt inherited from his Belisarian ancestry.
Death and succession
Philip V died peacefully in his bed, in 251 BC. Like his predecessors at the moment of his death the sacred fires in the great temples were extinguished for a period of 40 days of public mourning. His body was embalmed in honey (a tradition to preserve the body) and after which time it laid in state for seven days (one for each day of the week). Following this his body was carried to Chousa were it was ritually entombed in the imperial necropolis.
Philip V was succeeded on the Celestial throne by his son Philip the younger, but his reign was short and eventually his younger son Mithridates V ascended to the throne. His younger son was considered to be the greatest of the later Aegaid monarchs.