Magas of Cyrene: king of independent Cyrene
In 276-250 BC, the city of Cyrene, which was located in North Africa, was ruled by Magas of Cyrene. Magas was born before 317 BC, his father was a member of the nobility, commanding soldiers when he served in the army of Alexander the great. When his father died, Magas and his mother, Berenice, who became the wife of Ptolemy I Soter, arrived in Egypt.
Magas performed well during the suppression of the uprising in Cyrene. Thanks to the victories and influence of his mother, he quickly became the Governor of the region entrusted to him. He also served as a priest in the temple of Apollo. After some time, Magas declared himself the ruler of an independent Cyrene. The king supported the independence of Cyrene, established diplomatic relations (received ambassadors who arrived from India), communicated with philosophers, supported the school of cyrenaics. His portrait was decorated with coins minted during his lifetime.
In 274 BC, a conflict broke out between Antiochus and Ptolemy II, called the First Syrian war. Magas tried to persuade Antiochus to start a war, but he fought the Galatians. King Cyrene marched out on his own, captured several cities, and stopped 50 km from Alexandria. Here he was informed about the uprising of nomadic marmarinou. When Magas turned back, Ptolemy II made an attempt to pursue the enemy, but was forced to abandon this plan, since there was also an uprising in Egypt – Galatian mercenaries rebelled. The war soon ended: in 272 BC. the daughter of Magas, Berenice was married to Ptolemy III. During his life, Magas did everything possible to ensure that Cyrene maintained its independence. After his death, the area again became part of Ptolemaic Egypt.
On the coin of Cyrene, given in the publication, the obverse shows a portrait of the ruler, on the reverse the plant silphium, which had healing properties, was very actively used in ancient medicine and served as the main source of income for Cyrene. In the first century ad, this plant was destroyed by predation and Cyrene fell into decline.
Magas performed well during the suppression of the uprising in Cyrene. Thanks to the victories and influence of his mother, he quickly became the Governor of the region entrusted to him. He also served as a priest in the temple of Apollo. After some time, Magas declared himself the ruler of an independent Cyrene. The king supported the independence of Cyrene, established diplomatic relations (received ambassadors who arrived from India), communicated with philosophers, supported the school of cyrenaics. His portrait was decorated with coins minted during his lifetime.
In 274 BC, a conflict broke out between Antiochus and Ptolemy II, called the First Syrian war. Magas tried to persuade Antiochus to start a war, but he fought the Galatians. King Cyrene marched out on his own, captured several cities, and stopped 50 km from Alexandria. Here he was informed about the uprising of nomadic marmarinou. When Magas turned back, Ptolemy II made an attempt to pursue the enemy, but was forced to abandon this plan, since there was also an uprising in Egypt – Galatian mercenaries rebelled. The war soon ended: in 272 BC. the daughter of Magas, Berenice was married to Ptolemy III. During his life, Magas did everything possible to ensure that Cyrene maintained its independence. After his death, the area again became part of Ptolemaic Egypt.
On the coin of Cyrene, given in the publication, the obverse shows a portrait of the ruler, on the reverse the plant silphium, which had healing properties, was very actively used in ancient medicine and served as the main source of income for Cyrene. In the first century ad, this plant was destroyed by predation and Cyrene fell into decline.
Photo © ru.wikipedia.org
Photo © ru.wikipedia.org
