ΑΡΣΙΝΟΗ ΕΥΠΛΟΙΑ Queen Arsinoë II, the Maritime Aphrodite and Early Ptolemaic Ruler Cult Carlos Francis Robinson Bachelor of Arts (Hons. 1) A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2019 Historical and Philosophical Inquiry Abstract Queen Arsinoë II, the Maritime Aphrodite and Early Ptolemaic Ruler Cult By the early Hellenistic period a trend was emerging in which royal women were deified as Aphrodite. In a unique innovation, Queen Arsinoë II of Egypt (c. 316 – 270 BC) was deified as the maritime Aphrodite, and was associated with the cult titles Euploia, Akraia, and Galenaië. It was the important study of Robert (1966) which identified that the poets Posidippus and Callimachus were honouring Arsinoë II as the maritime Aphrodite. This thesis examines how this new third-century BC cult of ‘Arsinoë Aphrodite’ adopted aspects of Greek cults of the maritime Aphrodite, creating a new derivative cult. The main historical sources for this cult are the epigrams of Posidippus and Callimachus, including a relatively new epigram (Posidippus AB 39) published in 2001. This thesis demonstrates that the new cult of Arsinoë Aphrodite utilised existing traditions, such as: Aphrodite’s role as patron of fleets, the practice of dedications to Aphrodite by admirals, the use of invocations before sailing, and the practice of marine dedications such as shells. In this way the Ptolemies incorporated existing religious traditions into a new form of ruler cult. This study is the first attempt to trace the direct relationship between Ptolemaic ruler cult and existing traditions of the maritime Aphrodite, and deepens our understanding of the strategies of ruler cult adopted in the early Hellenistic period. In establishing the context for the creation of this cult, this thesis also examines the naval policies of Ptolemy I and II, to show that the new cult was likely created to assist in presenting the Ptolemaic dynasty as a dominant naval power in the Eastern Mediterranean. The origins of Hellenistic ruler cult are also examined, and this thesis argues that existing Classical Greek hero and heroine cults influenced the development of divine honours for mortal rulers. ii Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. iii Publications included in this thesis No publications included. Submitted manuscripts included in this thesis No manuscripts submitted for publication. Other publications during candidature No other publications. Contributions by others to the thesis No contributions by others. iv Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree No works submitted towards another degree have been included in this thesis. Research Involving Human or Animal Subjects No animal or human subjects were involved in this research. v Acknowledgements Posidippus and Callimachus could often be quite terse And always get their point across within a tiny verse These epigrams do not begin by calling on the Muse When you’ve only got ten lines there is no time to lose! The dedicated object always has something to say And so this thesis might address the reader in this way: ‘A fair blank sheet I was, sitting in a printer tray Until inscribed upon me were the words you read today – Though a dedicated object I’d like to make this dedication: To Dr. Amelia Brown, for all your help and inspiration To all the Classics staff for your help at every stage For definitely improving what is written on each page – To Judy and to Angie a gigantic thanks is due: This thesis never could have been completed without you – Callimachus was made to take a mighty library role He had to read and catalogue every single scroll No wonder that he hated any book that wasn’t small – When you read what follows may it also not appal!’ vi Financial support This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. Keywords Queen Arsinoë II, Ptolemaic ruler cult, Euploia, Maritime Aphrodite, Alexandrian epigram. vii Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) ANZSRC code: 210306 Classical Greek and Roman History Fields of Research (FoR) Classification FoR code: FoR 2103 Historical Studies 100% viii Dedication PRO PATRE OPTIMO 1957 – 2016 ix TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures xii List of Tables xii List of Abbreviations xiii Introduction 1 Structure and Sources 6 1. Aspects of the Maritime Aphrodite Incorporated into Ptolemaic Ruler Cult 9 1.1 Cult Titles Incorporated into Ptolemaic Ruler Cult 9 1.1.1 Aphrodite Εὔπλοια 10 1.1.2 Aphrodite Ἀκραῖα 17 1.1.3 Other Cult Titles 17 1.2 Cult Practices Incorporated into Ptolemaic Ruler Cult 18 1.2.1 Dedications by Maidens 18 1.2.2 Dedications by Admirals 23 1.2.3 Dedications by Sailors 24 1.2.4 Seaside Locations of the Temples 27 1.2.5 Renaming of Harbours 31 1.3 Links to Other Cults Including Egyptian Cults 33 2. Hellenistic Ruler Cult and the Deification of Hellenistic Royal Women 35 2.1 Precedents for Hellenistic Ruler Cult 36 2.1.1 Hero Cult and Precedents from the Archaic and Classical Periods 36 2.1.2 Philip, Alexander and the Successors 42 2.1.3 Heroine Cult, and Associations with Aphrodite 46 2.1.4 Modern Explanations of Ruler Cult 52 x 2.2 Ptolemaic Dynastic Cult: Innovation and Arsinoë 56 2.2.1 The Cult of Alexander 57 2.2.1 Ptolemy Σωτήρ and the θεοί Σωτῆρες 58 2.2.2 The θεοί Ἀδελφοί 59 2.2.3 Arsinoë Φιλαδέλφος 65 2.2.4 Arsinoë Ἀγαθὴ Τύχη 67 2.2.5 Arsinoë’s Egyptian Ruler Cults 70 3. Naval Power, Sailors and the Maritime Aphrodite 72 3.1 Origins of the Greek Cult of the Maritime Aphrodite 72 3.2 Naval Power, the Ptolemies and the Maritime Aphrodite 79 3.2.1 Origins and Development of the Ptolemaic Navy 79 3.2.2 Naval Power, Cyprus, Aphrodite and the Ptolemies 87 3.2.3 Naval Power and Ptolemy II’s Presentation of the Dynasty 90 3.2.4 Safety at Sea: the Σωτήρ and Σῴζουσα Cult Epithets 94 Conclusions 97 Appendix 100 Bibliography 108 Ancient Sources 108 Source Books 116 Modern Sources 118 xi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Reconstruction of Temple of Aphrodite Euploia at Cnidus 14 Figure 2. Altar Plaque dedicated to Arsinoë Philadelphus (Cyprus) 26 Figure 3: Alexandria and surrounds (Barrington Atlas) 28 Figure 4: Alexandria and surrounds (Google Maps) 29 Figure 5: Sketch plan of a temple identified as temple to Arsinoë Aphrodite 30 Figure 6: Bathymetric chart of coastline near Alexandria. 31 Figure 7. Coin of Amastris, regent of Heraclea 51 Figure 8. Coin depicting Arsinoë or Artemis from Arsinoë (Ephesus) 52 Figure 9. Reconstruction of Ptolemaic Monument at Olympia 61 Figure 10. Gold coin showing Ptolemy II and Arsinoë II 62 Figure 11. Coin depicting Arsinoë II with the double cornucopia 62 Figure 12. The Gonzaga Cameo 63 Figure 13. The Vienna Cameo 64 Figure 14. Oinochoe depicting Arsinoë holding the double cornucopia 69 Figure 15. Mendes Stele 70 Figure 16. Pithom Stele 71 Figure 17. Room VI, Temple of Isis, Philae 71 Figure 18. Plan of Naucratis (2000) 77 Figure 19. Plan of Naucratis (2017) 78 Figure 20. Coin of Demetrius I 85 Figure 21. Coin of Ptolemy I from Salamis or Paphos, Cyprus 89 Figure 22. Ptolemaic Maritime ‘Empire’ in the third century BC 94 Figure 23. Painting of Aphrodite Sozousa from Pompeii 95 Figure 24. Mosaic of Berenice the Saviour, from Thmuis, Egypt 96 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. The Navy of Ptolemy II. 95 xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS The majority of abbreviations used for ancient authors and their works are listed in the Oxford Classical Dictionary, Fourth Edition (2012): xxvii-liii (also available online). The following abbreviations for modern works are also used throughout this thesis. BMC A Catalogue of Greek Coins in the British Museum, R. S. Poole, Bologna: Arnaldo Forni (Reprint), 1963. CPE Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire, C. C. Lorber, New York: American Numismatic Society, 2018. Svoronos ΤΑ ΝΟΜΙΣΜΑΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΡΑΤΟΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΩΝ, J.