The Cult of Aphrodite the Cult of Aphrodite Under the Ptolemies: the Consolidation and Legitimization of a Dynasty
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THE CULT OF APHRODITE THE CULT OF APHRODITE UNDER THE PTOLEMIES: THE CONSOLIDATION AND LEGITIMIZATION OF A DYNASTY By JOCELYN CROSS, B.A., Hons. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts McMaster University © Copyright by Jocelyn Cross, January 2021 McMaster University MASTER OF ARTS (2021) Hamilton, Ontario (Classics). TITLE: The Cult of Aphrodite Under the Ptolemies: The Consolidation and Legitimization of a Dynasty AUTHOR: Jocelyn Cross, B.A., Hons. (Carleton University). SUPERVISOR: Dr. S. Corner NUMBER OF PAGES: x, 125. ii Lay Abstract Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, his empire was divided between his generals. Ptolemy I obtained control of Egypt, and established a dynasty that endured for over two centuries before falling to Rome. This thesis examines the foundation of the dynasty, and the manner in which Ptolemy I and his early successors secured their power. It focuses on Greek and Egyptian religion, and argues that the cult of Aphrodite was integral to the legitimization and consolidation of the dynasty. Discussion extends beyond Aphrodite to those with whom she was associated, including the Egyptian goddess Isis, and the Ptolemaic queens Arsinoë and Berenice. The aim of the thesis is to highlight the complexities of religious practice, and demonstrate the significance of Aphrodite and the sociopolitical impact of her cult in Egypt and throughout the Hellenistic world. iii Abstract Aphrodite is one of the oldest deities of the Graeco-Roman pantheon, and her cult has a rich and varied history in its development throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. The goddess has been associated with numerous female deities from other cultures, including Astarte, Inanna, and Ishtar from the Near East; Hathor and Isis from Egypt; and Venus from Rome. The origins and development of the cult of Aphrodite have long been favoured topics in Classical scholarship, with notable works including Friedrich’s The Meaning of Aphrodite (1978) and Budin’s The Origin of Aphrodite (2003). The nature of syncretism between deities continues to be a popular topic of debate, and collections such as Transformation of a Goddess: Ishtar-Astarte-Aphrodite (2014) are produced from conferences and symposiums. Likewise, interest in the history of the Ptolemaic dynasty remains high; in particular, the field of numismatics eagerly anticipates the final release of Lorber’s Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire (2018 - ), which will replace the seminal work of Svoronos (1904) as the primary catalogue. Although it is common for works concerning the Ptolemaic dynasty to reference Aphrodite, detailed discussion of her cult often arises only in the context of Arsinoë II, with whom she was syncretized. This thesis aims to bring Aphrodite to the forefront, and produce a cohesive narrative which highlights the role of her cult in the development of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It surveys the presence of the goddess in Egypt to determine her nature and significance, before examining the manner in which her cult was manipulated to the benefit of the Ptolemaic dynasts, predominantly through syncretism to the queens Arsinoë II and Berenice II. The discussion of syncretism is extended to include Isis, whose increasing popularity is connected to the eventual decline of the cult of Aphrodite in Egypt. iv Acknowledgements I am extremely grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Sean Corner, for his guidance throughout the entire writing process. He has dedicated multiple hours to discussion in choosing a topic for my thesis and formulating arguments, as well as offering constructive criticism at each stage of my work. The completion of my thesis would not have been possible without his continued support and patience. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to my other committee members, Dr. Spencer Pope and Dr. Kathryn Mattison, for their practical suggestions and advice concerning the content and structure of my thesis. Their willingness to discuss my work and offer feedback is characteristic of their dedication to their students, which is shared by the entire Classics department at McMaster University. I must also thank Louise Savocchia and Andrea Perco-Hough for addressing any administrative difficulties, facilitating communication, and managing schedules; their efforts were crucial to the progression of my thesis. To my fellow graduate students, thank you for creating a welcoming community that is equal parts academic and social, wherein someone is always available to converse or commiserate as required. My time at McMaster was made possible due to funding received from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Ontario government (Ontario Graduate Scholarship), for which I am grateful. Special thanks to Dr. Roseann Runte for reading my draft and preparing me for my defence. I will always value your continued mentorship since our initial acquaintance at Carleton University. And to my family and friends, thank you for your unwavering support throughout this entire process, especially as it increased in length beyond what was first anticipated. v Declaration of Academic Achievement The following thesis is a product of original research by the author. vi To Grandpa Bob 1933 - 2020 vii Table of Contents List of Abbreviations ..............................................................................................x Introduction ............................................................................................................1 Background: Ptolemaic History ..........................................................................2 Structure and Outline ...........................................................................................6 Note on Terminology: Cult and Syncretism ......................................................10 Chapter 1 ...............................................................................................................12 Introduction .......................................................................................................12 Naukratis: Overview ..........................................................................................14 The Sanctuary of Aphrodite ..............................................................................17 Pre-Hellenistic Epigraphic Evidence .................................................................18 Aphrodite Pandemos: An Integrative Goddess .................................................22 Hellenistic Epigraphic Evidence .......................................................................25 Ptolemaic Coinage: An Overview .....................................................................29 Ptolemaic Coinage: Naukratis ...........................................................................31 Ptolemaic Coinage: Cyprus ...............................................................................34 From Naukratis and Cyprus, to Beyond! ...........................................................36 Aphrodite in Statuary ........................................................................................38 Conclusion .........................................................................................................40 Chapter 2 ...............................................................................................................41 Introduction .......................................................................................................41 Hellenistic Royal Women: Ascension of Power ................................................43 Arsinoë: Biography ...........................................................................................44 Assimilation to Aphrodite .................................................................................47 Goddess of Love, Sex, and Marriage ................................................................51 viii Goddess of the Sea ............................................................................................53 Arsinoë-Aphrodite: Goddess of Love, Mistress of the Sea ...............................55 Alexandria: Overview .......................................................................................57 Ancient Sources .................................................................................................59 The Sanctuary at Zephyrium .............................................................................60 The Arsinoëion and The Thalamegos ................................................................62 Alexandria: Conclusion .....................................................................................65 Memphis: Overview ..........................................................................................66 Egyptian Sunnaos Theos and the Development of Ruler Cult ..........................69 Conclusion .........................................................................................................72 Chapter 3 ...............................................................................................................74 Introduction .......................................................................................................74 Biography of Berenice .......................................................................................75 Lock of Berenice ...............................................................................................78 Successors and Legacy ......................................................................................80