This queen was said to be as fair as Helen of Troy—but she was no political pawn
(Were these ancient Egyptian royals actually warrior princesses?)
Along with her children and supporters, Agathocles’ widow, Lysandra, fled to Seleucus, who was in Babylonia, and entreated him to avenge her husband’s murder. Seleucus jumped at the chance, and invaded Lysimachus’s territories in Asia Minor. At the Battle of Corupedium in Lydia, Lysimachus fell. Fearing for her safety and that of her children, Arsinoe took refuge in the city of Cassandreia in Macedonia. It was there that she received an unexpected offer of protection from her half brother Ptolemy Ceraunus.
“The Thunderbolt”
Before marrying Berenice, Arsinoe’s mother, Ptolemy I had been married to a distant cousin of Berenice’s, Eurydice, with whom he had several children. One of these children, Ptolemy Ceraunus, was convinced that, as the eldest son of Ptolemy I, he was the rightful heir. His father, however, appointed the son he would later have with Berenice, the future Ptolemy II, as co-ruler. Ptolemy Ceraunus left Egypt for Syria, where Seleucus welcomed him into his circle of confidants. But Ceraunus repaid the welcome with treachery, murdering Seleucus in a sudden attack that would earn him his epithet Ceraunus (“the Thunderbolt”).
As fair as Helen of Troy
Faience bust of Arsinoe II found in Naukratis. British Museum, London.
BRITISH MUSEUM/SCALA, FLORENCE
Arsinoe was the star of the grand parties held at the royal palace in Alexandria, such as that described by the court poet Theocritus. In his idylls, two friends from Syracuse prepare for the festivities: “And let’s be off to Ptolemy’s palace-hall … / It is said the queen / Is planning something splendid.” These celebrations were to mark the death and rebirth of the Greek demigod of beauty, Adonis, and his reunion with Aphrodite. Once at the palace, the friends listen to a song in honor of Aphrodite and of the queen: “Thou that art hailed in many a shrine by many a name … / Arsinoe fair as Helen that set the world aflame.” On the queen’s death, a statue of Arsinoe was mandatory in all temples in Egypt.
With Seleucus out of the way, Ceraunus presented himself to his half sister Arsinoe as her savior, and asked her to marry him. Although Arsinoe had doubts about his intentions, she ultimately accepted the proposal, believing Ceraunus’s promises to protect her children. In reality, Ceraunus wanted to take over the kingdom of Lysimachus, and there was no better way to legitimize this aspiration than to marry his widow.
After the wedding ceremony, Arsinoe invited Ceraunus to the city of Cassandreia, which was still under her control. She made sure that the town’s temples, altars, and houses were decorated in honor of the distinguished visitor. When Ceraunus arrived, Arsinoe sent her two youngest sons to welcome him at the city gates. But as soon as Ceraunus entered Cassandreia, he ordered his men to kill the boys and take over the city.
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