Magas of Cyrene
Magas of Cyrene was a ruler in the Hellenistic period, notable for his role in the Ptolemaic and Seleucid political landscapes. Here is detailed information about him:
Background
Rise to Power
- Appointment: Ptolemy I Soter appointed Magas as governor of Cyrene in 300 BCE, which was then part of the Ptolemaic territories.
- Declaration of Independence: Around 276 BCE, Magas declared himself king of Cyrene, effectively breaking away from Ptolemaic control and establishing his own independent rule.
Reign
- Rule: Magas ruled Cyrene for about 34 years, focusing on strengthening his kingdom and securing its borders.
- Marriage: He married Apame, daughter of Antiochus I Soter, which was a diplomatic move to forge an alliance with the Seleucid Empire.
- War: Magas engaged in a conflict known as the Second Syrian War against his half-brother, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, aiming to expand his territory. The war ended inconclusively, and Magas retained control over Cyrene.
Legacy
- Succession: Upon his death in 250 BCE, Magas was succeeded by his daughter, Berenice II, who married Ptolemy III Euergetes, thus reuniting Cyrene with the Ptolemaic Kingdom.
- Impact: His reign helped establish Cyrene as a significant power in its own right, albeit for a short period, demonstrating the complexities of Hellenistic politics where smaller states could assert autonomy amidst the larger empires.
External Links
Related Topics