Ptolemy (295–272 BC) was the oldest son of king Pyrrhus of Epirus and his first wife Antigone, who probably died in childbirth.[1] He was named in honour of his mother's stepfather, king Ptolemy I Soter of Egypt, who was a benefactor to Pyrrhus in his youth.
| Ptolemy | |
|---|---|
| military officer | |
| House | Aeacidae |
| Father | Pyrrhus I of Epirus |
| Mother | Antigone of Macedon |
| Religion | Ancient Greek religion |
When Pyrrhus returned from Italy in 274 BC Ptolemy captured the island of Corcyra for his father in an audacious attack with only 60 men.[2] He also distinguished himself in a naval battle, and during the following invasion of Macedonia he dislodged king Antigonus II Gonatas from Thessalonike.[3]
In 272 BC Ptolemy accompanied his father on a military campaign in the Peloponnese, where he commanded his personal guard. During the retreat from Sparta he was attacked by a Lacedaemonian force under Eualcus and slain by the Cretan Oroissus of Aptera.[4] His father avenged his death killing Eualcus, but fell a few days later in the streets of Argos.
Ptolemy had an older sister called Olympias and two younger half-brothers, Alexander and Helenus.
References
editSources
edit- Bennett, Chris (2001–2010). "Antigone (Egyptian Royal Genealogy - The Ptolemaic Dynasty)". Tyndale House.
- Plutarch, Pyrrhus