Neoptolemus I of Epirus
- For a hero, see Neoptolemus. For a grandson of this king, see Neoptolemus II of Epirus.
| Neoptolemus I | |
|---|---|
| Born | Neoptolemus I |
| Title | King of Epirus |
| Religion | Ancient Greek religion |
| Children |
King Alexander I of Epirus Queen Olympias Princess Troas (married Arybbas of Epirus) |
| Parent(s) | Alcetas I (father) |
| Relatives |
Arymbas (brother) Alexander the Great (grandson) |
Neoptolemus I of Epirus (Greek: Νεοπτόλεμος Α' Ηπείρου) (370–357 BC) was a Greek king of Epirus and son of Alcetas I, and father of Troas, Alexander I of Epirus and Queen Olympias. He was a maternal grandfather of Alexander the Great.[1]
He claimed he was a descendant of hero Achilles and King Lycomedes, while Emperor Caracalla claimed that he was a descendant of Neoptolemus I.
Olympias was originally known as Polyxena. It is possible that Neoptolemus gave her that name.
Etymology
His name means "new war".[2]
This was also a name of the son of the warrior Achilles and the princess Deidamia in Greek mythology, and also the mythical progenitor of the ruling dynasty of the Molossians of ancient Epirus.
Reign
On the death of Alcetas, Neoptolemus and his brother Arybbas agreed to divide the kingdom, and continued to rule their respective portions without any interruption of the harmony between them, until the death of Neoptolemus, which, according to Johann Gustav Droysen, may be placed about 360 BC.
The first epigraphical evidence of the Molossian league goes back to 370 BC under Neoptolemus.[3]
See also
Notes
- ↑ A Classical Dictionary, Containing a Copious Account of All the Proper Names by John Lemprière
- ↑ Name of Neoptolemus
- ↑ Cabanes, L'Épire 534,1
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Neoptolemus". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
| Preceded by Alcetas I |
King of Epirus with Arymbas 370–357 BC |
Succeeded by Arymbas |